Mr. Big Love (Mr. Big 2)

Having lunch alone with Mrs. Marshall -- it made me nervous.

It was something I'd have to get used to, so I took in a deep breath and tried to focus on something more pleasant. Like making breakfast for my bestie.

So, I did.

Chapter Ten

Alexa

I spent the morning with Candace, and cooked us a nice breakfast with Eggs Benedict, home fried potatoes and sausages, just like she preferred when we went out for brunch. She'd been so isolated because of her broken leg that I felt bad for her.

It also gave me a chance to brainstorm how to deal with Mrs. Marshall, who wanted to meet with me to make amends and talk about the engagement. Probably wanting to have some kind of shower and talk about the wedding.

At least, I hoped that was what she wanted. I still had trouble imagining she'd come around so easily, but perhaps Mr. Marshall really had given her the word.

Luke wasn't very happy about it when I texted him, but I was a fully-grown adult now, and I had to do some adulting with Mrs. Marshall. If I was going to marry into their family, I had to be able to deal with Dragon Lady.

LUKE: Do you want me to come with you?

ALEXA: No, that's all right. If she's going to be my mother-in-law, I have to get used to her. Besides, I think she wants to mend fences with me. She said your dad gave her 'the word'.

LUKE: That doesn't mean anything. If anyone gives anyone 'the word' in that couple, it's her giving it to him.

ALEXA: Hmm. Maybe you should come with me.

LUKE: I can pick you up if you like. I'll call John and we can reschedule our meeting.

I hesitated.

ALEXA: No, I don't want you to reschedule your meeting. I can face this alone. You go ahead and meet with John. It's about that joint venture you two were going to go into together, right?

LUKE: Yes, but we can reschedule until later if you want.

ALEXA: No, I can handle this myself. I want us to be on good terms. We may not be loving to each other, but we should be able to be civil.

LUKE: Okay, but if you change your mind, let me know. I'll be happy to brush off John until later today or even tomorrow.

ALEXA: You're too good to me. I’ll be fine.

LUKE: Okay. Love you.

ALEXA: Love you back.

"You nervous?" Candace asked, while she finished a piece of toast with peach jam and drank her cup of hot tea. "Think Dragon Lady's gonna fry you to a crisp or something?"

"Yes, I'm nervous as all hell, but I have to do it."

"That's the spirit. Go there and be your amazing self. She'll have to realize that you're perfect for Luke. If all else fails, tell her that Luke's happy with you and that should be good enough."

I shrugged, not feeling quite as certain as Candace, but she was always the optimist.

After I finished cleaning up and we had talked out every possible outcome of the meeting with Mrs. Marshall, I sighed and picked up my bag.

"I guess I should go face the music," I said and went to slip on my shoes. "Or the dragon fire, whichever the case may be."

"You'll be fine. Just keep smiling through it all, pretending to agree with everything she says, and then do what you were going to do anyway. That's what I always do. Works for me."

I bent down and kissed the top of her head while she sat in the recliner and flipped through channels.