“I spoke to Dad earlier today. He couldn’t stop telling me how much he enjoyed meeting you and that I’m a very lucky man.”
Martina smiled. “Your father is a wonderful man. I couldn’t have asked for a better father-in-law to be.”
“And he couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law to be.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved that I made such a good impression on him.”
“I never doubted that you would.”
“Oh, by the way, my mother called me last night to invite us to dinner next week Saturday. She and my father are dying to meet you.”
“Now, it’s my turn to be nervous although I’m looking forward to meeting them too.”
“There’s no need for you to be nervous. They know who you are. When I first told them about you, they were astonished and impressed.”
“Impressed? Why?”
“You’re an MP and my mother thinks you’re very attractive.”
“Does she also think I look like Ralph Fiennes?”
Martina laughed. “No, I don’t think she does.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
“I thought you were flattered when the woman in the elevator told you that you looked like him.”
“I was flattered because of his acting talent but as far as my looks are concerned, I’d rather not be compared to him.”
“Speaking of looks, I had no idea that Antonia was so stunning.”
“You think she’s stunning?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you think she’s stunning?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Are you saying that because of what she did to Karson?”
“No, I’m saying that because I, personally, don’t think she’s stunning.”
“I won’t get upset if you said that she was, you know.”
“I’m happy to hear that but as I said, I don’t think she’s stunning.”
“What do you think she is then?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”
“There isn’t much to think about. If you were to use one word to describe her looks what would it be?”
“I suppose I would use the word, attractive.”
“So, you think she’s attractive.”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve never been attracted to her?”
“No.”
“I believe that. I saw her watching you all night but you hardly paid any attention to her except when she spoke to you.”
“I was civil to her.”
“Yes, you were and I was very proud of you. Still, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.”
“Sorry for her? Why should you feel sorry for her?”
“She’s still in love with you.”
Laird sighed. “I wish she weren’t.”
“Wishing that she weren’t won’t change the fact that she is.”
“Martina, I don’t want to spend any more of our evening together talking about Antonia. Let’s talk about more pleasant things such as our wedding, our honeymoon and our exciting future together.”
She smiled. “All right, Laird. Let’s talk about the wedding invitations. Right now we have two choices–Paisley prints and peppermints.”
“If our wedding was in December, I would have said peppermints.”
“That leaves Paisley then.” She showed him a sample. “What do you think about this White Doves & Paisley Lace Wedding Invitation design for our wedding invitation?”
“I think it’s perfect.”
“Great! I will call my friend, Cara of Cara West Designs and order the wedding invitations and response cards.”
“So, we can cross more things off our list.”
“Yes. So far, we have secured St. James for the ceremony and The Lansdowne Club for the reception. We met with the wedding coordinator and with her help, we came up with a perfect menu for our wedding feast. I found my wedding dress and tomorrow, I’m going for my first fitting.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing you in it.”
“And then out of it?”
“Absolutely. As soon as we’re alone on our wedding night.” He went over to where she sat and gently pushed her down until she was lying on her back. He lay on top of her and nuzzled her neck, making her catch her breath.
“Hmm. I thought you said you wanted to talk about our wedding, honeymoon and future.”
“We can talk more about that afterwards…”
She put her arms around his neck and moaned when he fastened his mouth to hers.
Sources: Zazzle; Fantasy Name Generators; The Lansdowne Club; The Knot
Notes to Women 