“An annulment, of course!” Grandma shouted. “What else would I be worried about?”
Jake’s mouth opened and then closed. “Why the hell would we need an annulment, we aren’t married.”
“About that.” Grandma played with a thread on her shirt. “It seems the document you signed, in the bride’s and groom’s spots… technically, you’re husband and wife.” She lifted her shoulders into the air. “Oops?”
“Oops?” Jake repeated. “Oops, my ass! You planned this!”
“How dare you!” Gran
dma stood. “Even I wouldn’t stoop so low as to trick my favorite grandson into marriage.”
“I was your favorite this morning.” Travis clearly felt the need to add.
Grandma ignored him. “You’ll just have to stay married. After all this family doesn’t believe in divorce and by the state of Char’s hair I’m guessing you’ve already”—Grandma had the good sense to blush—“played Charades.” Then as if remembering she was Grandma and truly possessed no censor looked at Char. “Tell me, dear, how was the game?”
Char blushed and reached for Jake’s hand. “Life altering, earth moving, soul searching.”
Jake’s heart beat a little faster at her admission; she’d repeated what he’d said earlier. Oh to hell with it. He grabbed the back of her head and kissed the hell out of her. Their lips met in a frenzy. He broke the kiss too soon, grinning like a fool.
“Show off.” Travis grumbled.
“Oh, honey, once you’re married tomorrow you can play all the Charades you want!” Grandma patted Travis on the arm. “Who knows maybe your Grandma will have a little time for game night over at Mr. Casbon’s.”
“Dear God, I hope not,” Jake mumbled under his breath.
“Well.” Grandma, seeming very pleased with herself, rose from her chair. “Now that that’s settled, back to business. Jake, you and Char are in charge of making sure the cake topper gets to the caterer and don’t forget about your dance.”
Jake swore.
“I feel so much better suddenly,” Travis said in a smug voice.
“Dance? What dance?” Kacey asked
“Don’t ruin the surprise.” Travis directed her toward the door and flashed Jake one last eager smile.
“Off to bed you two!” Grandma pushed Travis and Kacey out of the room. “They’re married. You, however, have one more night to spend alone before you can play your little games.”
“I hate you, Jake.” Travis called as he was ushered out of the room.
“Sleep hard, Travis!”
He was flashed the bird before the door closed behind Grandma.
“She planned it.” Char shook her head. “That menacing woman planned the whole thing.”
Jake sat back on the bed and laid down. “She should be given an honorary degree from Harvard or something.”
“I wonder if they have degrees in manipulation,” Char said aloud.
“Not manipulation. It’s like the art of war.”
“I bet in another life she was a general,” Char agreed.
There was silence for a moment. Jake reached for her hand. “I had this really romantic speech to say and then all of a sudden I realized I didn’t eat any dinner and now I’m starving. Want to go downstairs and raid the kitchen?”
“Yes.” Char jumped off the bed. “I didn’t even finish my wine at dinner!” She seemed horrified.
“Those poor children in Africa. I can’t believe you wouldn’t finish your wine. You know they don’t even have wine over there.”