“Sure. I mean, unlike her son, she is lovely and so approachable. I did wonder where he came from actually, because after meeting his parents, they are nothing alike.” She’s staring at me with her hand on her hip and her head tilted a little as if to say, come on, what’s your reply to that? But I’m smarter than to piss her off any further than she already is today. If she wants to project all her anger at me for what she has been told today, I’m strong enough to take it.

That’s what I’ve signed up for. To protect her, keep her safe, but also to be someone she can lean on until we get her through it.

“Beautiful, be careful what you wish for here.” Flynn walks up behind Felisha and wraps his arms around the front of her, kissing her on the top of her head. “You might earn the title of bridezilla when the time comes, and that’s perfectly okay, but my mother will become your worst nightmare by getting in the road and constantly fussing.”

“So, you will put up with me being a crazy woman but won’t give your mother a little bit of leeway? I hate to tell you but out of the two mothers, I will take bets that mine will be ten times worse. It’s why I have taken the organization out of Harper’s hands, and she will just be overseeing the wedding planner, who I’m sure I’m going to have to pay a lot of money to cope with it all. Especially now that this has all blown up today. It’s the last thing Harper needs to be worrying about.”

Looking around the room, everyone looks tired, and I know the stress has gotten to all of us today.

“Well, I’m sure we can debate whose mother is the worst after we have that dinner, but for tonight, why don’t we let Harper settle in. Make sure to set up her dartboard on the back of this door with my picture in the middle of it so she can take out her annoyance of being in my presence in a more constructive way than maybe using my kitchen knives.” And although it was only there for a second, there was the slightest hint of a smile on her face.

Flynn laughs. “Wow, your jokes are improving. Have you been reading a few joke books in your spare time?”

“Time to leave. I’ve hit my Flynn quota for today.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder at the door.

“Yeah, yeah, I get when I’m not welcome anymore,” Flynn replies as I’ve already turned and am heading back toward the front door with him following closely behind me.

Felisha has stayed behind with Harper for a moment.