I Do

Chapter 11

When Josie suggested dinner with Dani and Ethan, she had this perfect picture in her head. She wanted the two most important people in her life to meet and get to know each other but it did not work out so well. The evening had already gone to sh*t when Dani picked a restaurant. It was a pretty popular restaurant and the two ladies had always wanted to try it but it was not until they were seated that they realized just what a bad restaurant choice it was.

“What is the theme of this place exactly?” Ethan asked as he looked at the menu. “I mean, I don’t understand how they have a Mexican cuisine, kabobs and a sushi bar all under one roof.”

“Why don’t you get the sliders, baby?” Josie asked. “They are definitely a safe bet.”

Ethan put his menu down in despair.

“Sure.”

“Two sliders and a salad, thanks,” Josie said to the waiter.

“I think I will have a kabob plate,” Dani said before the waiter walked off.

The sliders were indeed a safe bet but the restaurant was definitely in poor taste. The three could hardly hear each other over the noise. There were people talking loudly, trying to compete with even louder music.

Needless to say, it was a very awkward hour. After dinner, Ethan and Josie went back to his place as they talked about the wedding. It soon became clear that neither of them wanted a big elaborate thing.

“The bigger it is, the more attention it will attract and I don’t want that,” Josie said.

“Really? I thought girls lived for the whole big wedding thing,” Ethan was obviously surprised.

“I just want a special day where I get to dance, feel special and most importantly have a husband at the end of the day. Besides, I have seen how many people break down from the ridiculous societal pressure. I would hate to be a meme all because I had a public meltdown.”

“In that case, maybe I should tell you about a ranch in SoCal. It is perfect and private,” he said as they walked into the house. “Or a lakefront property. Your choice.”

“They both sound perfect.”

“I should probably Skype my mum before she hears all this from a third party.”

Ethan nodded as she kicked off her shoes.

“Go ahead. I’ll just grab a shower.”

“By the way,” Josie started before he got too far. “I’m sorry about dinner. I know that you were out of your comfort zone.”

Ethan shook his head.

“It’s fine. I also need to be a little flexible, right?”

She smiled at him as he walked off and she walked to the living room. She could not help but wonder how the conversation with her mother was going to start. If anything, Josie was more than sure that the other Johnson woman wouldn’t like the fact that she was marrying someone she had only known for five months. She took her time before she finally made that call. Her heart was racing as she waited for her mother to answer the call.

“Hey, baby,” her mother said excitedly when she answered the video call. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good…great actually. You?”

Mrs. Johnson smiled.

“I’m perfect, baby. Just trying to get the right hat for a fundraiser on Sunday. You know, what? Maybe you can help me.”

Josie smiled.

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes, really.” Mrs. Johnson put on a hat and Josie laughed. “What do you think?

“I don’t know, mum. The screen is all hat right now.”

“Oh, wait…” her mother stood up and backed up. “How about now?” she asked before she switched to another hat.

“I don’t know mum, they are both beautiful. I guess I will be in a better position to make a decision if I know what you will be wearing?”

“Red dress with simple black décor.”

“Then the black hat works better than the white,” Josie said.

“Okay, black it is.”

Her mother sat back down and looked at her screen.

“So, what’s going on in Los Angeles? What’s new?” she asked.

“Well, I left Rank Media and got a new job,” Josie started.

“Oh, no!”

“No, the new job is great. Much better than Rank Media and the pay is better too!”

“Yeah, I was wondering why you sent me such an expensive brooch for Mother’s Day. Not that I don’t love it.”

Josie smiled.

“Well, I am glad you loved it. And there is something else too.”

Her mother raised an eyebrow over the other.

“What?”

Josie took a long, deep breath and showed her the ring.

“I’m getting married!” she said excitedly.

“Oh, Lord! That is a huge rock!”

Josie laughed and nodded.

“Yeah, it is.”

“So, who is the lucky young man who stole my daughter’s heart?” Mrs. Johnson asked.

“His name is Ethan. We met at work.”

“The new place or Rank Media?” Ms. Johnson asked.

“The new place. I actually work for him.”

“Okay…wait, when did you start at this new place?” Mrs. Johnson asked.

“Around five months ago.”

“So, you have only known this man you are going to marry for five months?” Mrs. Johnson asked and Josie nodded.

“I know it is all happening really fast…”

“That doesn’t matter. I married your father within two months of meeting him. What really matters is if he makes you happy.”

Josie smiled.

“He does. He makes me very happy.”

“Then that is all that matters,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Now, we need to talk about when I am meeting my future son-in-law.”

Josie laughed.

“Well, how about you make us one of your pot roast and a pumpkin pie dessert and we will come to you,” she suggested and her mother nodded.

“Your father and I would like that very much.”

                                                            *****

When Josie left the office for Ann’s bridal salon, she was still not sure about the whole thing. She kept on thinking of excuses to give her on the way but nothing came to mind. She forced a smile as she stood outside the shop.

“You can do this!” she encouraged herself. “You can do this!”

“Hi!” Ann squealed when Josie walked in.

“I’m sorry I ran late… I don’t know why I didn’t call.”

Ann smiled and took her hand.

“Please, you are just a few minutes late. I had a whole hour and a half blocked out for you.”

Josie smiled as one of the salon workers brought her a glass of champagne.

“So, talk to me. What kind of dress do you want?” Ann asked as she sat down next to Josie. “What dress have you always pictures yourself in?”

Josie shook her head. She did not have an answer. She had never really thought about that.

“I don’t know,” she muttered. “I mean, of course, I don’t want some old school gown or anything.”

“Okay, that’s perfectly normal. Dot panic but let me narrow it down. Describe to me the venue.”