6

Janine

Breathe, Janine. Just breathe, I tell myself that for what seems like the hundredth time already, taking a deep breath as I stand outside the chic Charleston in Little Italy.

Ever since Dash told me I’d be meeting his mother, I’ve been anxious, almost to the point of hyperventilating. I know I have to meet his mother, of course. It’s what engaged couples do. Still, I’d failed to really consider it and now that I’m faced with the circumstance, I can’t help but feel terrified.

What if Mrs. Siegel doesn’t like me?

All Dash has told me is that she’s been rich all her life and that’s scary. What if she thinks I’m too poor? What if she thinks I’m after Dash’s money? What if she starts interrogating me and comes to the conclusion that I don’t belong with her family?

Just looking at the façade of this restaurant with its elegant glass doors and its contemporary signage, I already feel like a fish out of water. I’ve been to Little Italy before but never to this place. I’ve heard about it, though, about its award-winning chefs and, of course, its expensive menu.

Oh, boy. I sure hope I remember which utensil is for what.

Breath, Janine.

“Ready?” Dash asks as he places an arm around me. “No,” I tell him honestly, biting a finger.

He chuckles, squeezing my shoulder before whispering in my ear. “Don’t worry. You look fabulous.”

Do I? I know I picked one of my best dresses – a black and green lace dress with sheer, long sleeves – and I put on my diamond earrings and my more expensive make-up. I even pulled my hair back into a chignon, spending more than an hour and using a bunch of pins to keep the stub- born strands in place. Even so, I don’t have the confidence to walk in through those doors.

“I know it’s not easy,” Dash goes on. “I was damn scared when I met your mother.”

“You were?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “You seemed like you were enjoying yourself.”

I still remember that kiss he gave me, which made my heart do flips and lingered on my lips for a while.

“Then I acted well,” Dash says. “And you will, too.” He rubs my back.

I sigh. “At least you met my Mom at a hospital, not at some fancy restaurant that’s probably in the bid for a Michelin star.”

“At least you had time to prepare.”

I look at him. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“Relax.” He takes my hand. “Everything will be fine.” Will it?

Dash kisses my hand. “Trust me, sweetcheeks.” I frown. “Call me that again and I’ll hit you.”

He laughs. “There. That’s the Janine I know.” He places my arm around his. “Shall we go in and meet your mother-in-law?”

I take another deep breath, nodding. We step forward, those black doors pulled open by the maître d’ to let us in.

At once, my heart beats faster. The sight of the white linen tables with the fresh rosebuds and the oversized leather chairs in shades of apricot and cinnamon make me more nervous. I almost want to turn on my heel and leave, but somehow I make it to the back of the restaurant on Dash’s arm. Mrs. Siegel is already seated at a table with just a glass of wine for company.

And she’s beautiful. I expected she would be in her fifties but she looks like she’s just in her forties, hardly a wrinkle on her face. Her hair is the same color as Dash’s and like mine, it’s all been swept up to the back of her head, except it’s apparent hers was done professionally, precisely, no strand out of place. She’s wearing a gray dress but it doesn’t look at all boring, fitting her thin body perfectly with a string of pearls to match.

I draw in another deep breath. This is my mother-in- law? She’s gorgeous.

“Mom.” Dash lets go of my arm so he can put both of his around his mother. “Thanks for coming.”

She smiles, pressing her cheek against his. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“And this is Janine Davidson,” he introduces, extending an arm to me.

I step forward. “Good evening, Mrs. Siegel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Have I said that right? I’ve been practicing it all evening.

Mrs. Siegel doesn’t answer, simply smiling as she looks at me from head to toe. I suppose she’s still trying to figure out if the pleasure is mutual, which I think largely hinges on who I really am.

Dash pulls out the chair directly across his mother and I sit down carefully, knowing his mother is still eyeing me above her wine glass. He then sits in between us, straightening his tie.

Mrs. Siegel smiles at him. “Let’s order, shall we?”

She and Dash place the orders for five courses while I simply go over the menu in silence, my mouth watering at the description of the dishes and eyes wide at the prices.

Unbelievable.

Soon after the waiter leaves with the orders, another approaches, pouring wine into our glasses.

Mrs. Siegel lifts hers. “To Dash, our soldier who’s finally come home.”

I lift my glass as well.

Dash doesn’t, his fingers staying around the stem of his glass. “Actually, Mom, there’s something else I’d like to toast to.”

Mrs. Siegel takes a sip. “What is it?”

“It’s the reason why I asked you to come here tonight and why I brought Janine.”

He holds my hand, lifting it so that his mother can see the princess-cut diamond ring that he bought for me the day after he met my mother.

Mrs. Siegel sets her glass down, gasping. “Is that…?”

“I know it might be too soon,” Dash continues in a serious tone as he strokes my hand. “But I wanted you to know that after a long long-distance relationship, I’ve proposed to Janine and she’s accepted.”

“You’re getting married?” Dash’s mother gets on her feet, her face lighting up.

“Well, yes.” Dash nods, looking at me. “Isn’t that right, darling?”

Darling? First, sweetcheeks. Now darling? It’s so fake… I force a smile. “That’s the plan.”

“Oh, I can’t believe it!” Mrs. Siegel throws her arms around Dash. “My son is getting married!”

Dash frowns as he pats her back. “Keep it down, Mom.” “Oh, I can’t be quiet about this.”

She looks at the waiter who’s standing just nearby and then at the diners at the next tables. “My son is getting married!”

The room erupts into applause, some of the diners murmuring their congratulations.

I clasp a hand over my mouth, embarrassed. What on earth is she doing?

“Mom,” Dash pleads. “Please sit down.”

“Oh, I’m so happy for you.” His mother hugs him again then picks up her glass. “To my son’s engagement.”

Dash raises his glass. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” I raise my glass and then take a sip.

To my surprise, Mrs. Siegel comes over to hug me. “Janine, was it?” She cups my face then pinches my

cheek lightly. “Oh, I’m so glad Dash has found such an amazing woman.”

I blink as I stare at the white linen on the table. Really?

She thinks I’m amazing? She approves of me?

I almost want to pinch myself.

Finally, Mrs. Siegel sits down. “Now, tell me, when is this wedding taking place?”

Dash clasps his hands on the table. “Well, I know Dad just passed away so…”

“Nonsense!” Mrs. Siegel cuts him off. “You know this is what your Dad wanted. Besides, now is the perfect time to celebrate.”

Dash touches her arm. “But, Mom…”

“No buts.” Mrs. Siegel waves a finger. “I’m tired of mourning and I don’t care about tradition. Life is too short for such things. Get married now. Oh, look how beautiful she is and how strong you look beside her.” Her eyes shine as she drinks us in, like we’re already on a family Christmas card in her imagination. “Don’t wait! What’s more, I’m going to pay for it.”

I lift my glass to my lips to take another sip. She will? “That’s very generous of you, Mom,” Dash tells her, sitting back.

“I’ll pay for all of it.” She extends her arms. “The church, the flowers, the gowns, the food – oh, why don’t we ask Charleston to cater it?”

I almost choke on the mouthful of wine I’ve just swallowed. What?

“Mom.” Dash reaches for her hand. “Janine and I actually intended for this to just be a small…”

“Don’t be silly, whatever for?” she cuts him off again, shaking her head. “You and Janine are going to have the whole shebang, if it’s the last thing I do. Bells, whistles, and all. In fact, it’s going to be the wedding of the year.”

My jaw drops, my hands slowly falling into my lap. This must be some joke, right?