“Fuck her,” I said, my anger at her attempts to break up our relationship still close to the surface. “She’s out of my life, as far as I’m concerned.”
“What about your father?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t told him yet, so we’ll wait and see. He said my mother would soften when she learns our first baby has been born, so he’ll probably be happy.”
“I’m so sorry that your mother is being such a…”
John hesitated, but I didn’t. I finished his sentence for him.
“A first-rate bitch?”
“Your words, not mine. But, yeah. She’s only hurting herself. It’s not like you two would break up because she’s unhappy. So, all of her tantrums are for nothing. I don’t get it. There’s nothing wrong with Alexa. In fact, you two are really good together.”
“We are,” I said and leaned back in the chair, my frustration at my mother’s me
ddling still high. “That’s all that really matters. It’s not like Alexa’s some hillbilly with no education. She’s doing her PhD in International Relations at Columbia for fuck’s sake. Her father was an air force captain and manages an airport. They’re good wholesome middle-class stock.”
“They’re decent people, which is more than I can say for some of your family’s friends and acquaintances.”
“Exactly,” I said. “When I think of all the cheating and lying and fraud that’s gone on among my father’s friends and business partners, it makes Alexa’s family look like saints.”
“So,” John said and leaned back in his chair, his fingers entwined. “Alexa’s pregnant. When are you going to make an honest woman out of her? Have you set a wedding date? I’m the best man, I hope…”
“Of course, you are. We’re getting married next weekend at the beach house. You’re welcome to bring a date.”
“Felicia?” John asked.
“Of course, if she wants to come with you. Are you two a thing?”
“Maybe,” John said with a grin.
“Well, at least her mother will be off my back if she thinks she has you in her claws.”
“Felicia’s a beautiful woman and really sweet,” John said. “We have fun together.” He smiled to himself and that was when I knew he was happy with her.
“She is beautiful and sweet,” I said, feeling awkward that I hadn’t been into her, although John always seemed to be.
“She’s not sarcastic enough for you,” John said and smiled.
“No, not nearly,” I said with a laugh. “Alexa, on the other hand…”
John laughed with me. “You two were made for each other.”
“We were,” I said. “We are.”
I smiled, thinking of Alexa’s wit. It was definitely something that made it work between us.
“So, wedding next Saturday, and then what? You guys are moving into your apartment soon, right? What about a honeymoon?”
“That will have to wait until her morning sickness is better. Maybe we’ll take off to a tropical paradise for Thanksgiving. Her morning sickness should be gone by then.”
“You should fly to Tahiti. It would be poetic for you to spend your honeymoon there, since it’s where you got engaged.”
“You’re such a romantic,” I said and grinned.
“I am,” he said, trying to hide his smile while he opened a file on his desk. “Now, enough of this girl talk. What about the specs? We have funding to nail down.”
“I need coffee if we’re going to talk money,” I said and hopped up from my chair.