“You disapprove of inappropriate jokes, you aren’t constantly trying to get everyone’s attention, you don’t like it when people are crude, and you don’t curse,” he pointed out, raising his eyebrow at her. To his shock, she burst out laughing. Next to him, Patrick seemed to be totally fascinated by the entire conversation, but they shared a look. Jake pinned his mom with a look as her mirth died down a little. “I have never heard you curse.”

“Oh, you have, you just don’t remember,” she said, grinning at him. “I realized I had to stop cursing in front of you when your second word was ‘shit.’”

Jake’s jaw dropped.

12

“What’s his name?”

“I just told you, it’s Jake,” Sharon said, tapping her fingers against the counter as she watched her mug cake spinning in the microwave.

“I need his last name, Sharon,” her mother said, sounding exasperated. “For the seating chart.”

Ugh. Fine. But only because otherwise she knew she’d be fielding a call from her aunt as well, because her aunt really would demand that for the seating chart.

“Jake Standish.” She couldn’t help the sigh in her voice as she gave up the information, knowing her parents would likely know more about him than she did by the time they arrived for the wedding. That was just how they rolled.

“Thank you.” Her mother’s voice was prim and dry, with no real gratitude. “We’ll see you this weekend.”

“Bye mom.”

Hanging up the phone, Sharon slumped. Well that had been fun. But now her parents knew she was bringing a date and they’d have a room ready for him. She would have preferred to stay in the hotel for the whole weekend, rather than just the night of the wedding, but her parents would have thrown a fit. At least it was only Friday night with them, then she and Jake would stay at the hotel, and on Sunday they could flee back to DC.

The difference between Jake’s family and her family was starker than ever after last night. Watching his family had given her the same feeling she got when she watched Hallmark movies - like she a little kid outside a candy store with her nose pressed against the window.

She was not going to wallow though. Not her style.

Watching terrible shark movies to cheer her up while she binged on cheese and crackers was way more up her alley. She was halfway through Toxic Shark when Jake texted her.

Jake: Hey princess, what are you up to?

Sharon: Lounging in pajamas and watching bad movies. u?

Jake: Sitting at home bored. Want to get together? 

She thought about it for a moment.

Sharon: Only if you’re interested in lounging in pajamas and watching bad movies. I’m on Toxic Shark right now and Avalanche Sharks is in the queue.