Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? #5
I knew she was flexing my connections in a way to get her mother to back off and I could appreciate her trying.
It was clear the peerage was the key to her mother’s approval but I couldn’t give a fuck less about having it.
I was there for her solely and no one else in her family truly mattered to me.
It did something to me to hear her speak of my friend with ease.
I knew that Jerrica didn’t give a damn about being a countess and they’d spoken for a while at the wedding.
They’d clearly made an impression on one another.
“I know you were raised better than to speak to me like this in front of our guests. We didn’t spend a fortune on deportment lessons for you to forget to respect your elders.”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. It was beaten into us, and me quite literally if we were ever a foot out of line. Hence the reason my father gets all the respect due to him. And of course now you, Pappy.”
She gave my grandfather a dazzling smile and I could tell he was falling under the same spell as I was.
It wasn’t just because Asha was beautiful, that was a given.
She had far more under the surface and I knew that my grandfather could feel the strength she possessed and that was why he was confident that we would do well together.
I didn’t know if the well would ever be something more than a general truce and not trying to ruin one another the way my parents had but if this dinner was foretelling the future; he was right.
Taking back control of the conversation since he was just as aware as I was that it was about to go south, Pappy picked up glass and turned his attention to William Senior.
Asha’s mother wouldn’t dare interrupt the men at the table so at least her pick me trad wife behavior resorted in her shutting the fuck up for now.
“That is most appreciated, Asha. William, are there any traditions that you would want us to adhere to during the ceremony? I’m sure that Ori and Asha have discussed some, but there are a few that I wanted to include.
Since I’m going to petition for something for myself I wanted to open up the door for you to do the same.
That way I’m not the only one taking the heat for making requests. ”
I could understand why my grandfather was such a charmer.
He’d effortlessly changed the subject and taken the focus off the two of us.
I knew it would circle back around and that I would easily handle it, but I was grateful that he was extending whatever protection he had over Asha.
Pappy’s ass was now the one turning up the charm and I sat back and watched him work.
It brought to mind that Asha and I hadn’t discussed anything in depth with the wedding and that needed to change.
If she had expectations, I wanted to meet them for her.
Real or not, we were only doing this once and I didn’t want her to look back on the day with remorse.
Trying to win fake husband of the year?
“I’m not even sure why we’re going through all these changes.
This marriage was arranged and she doesn’t even have a ring.
You should all go in front of a judge instead of going through such an expense.
” Her mother was just talking all that shit about comportment but was behaving badly herself.
I guess she was of the camp that children should know their place parenting.
“Worried that we’ll have to retrench on your shopping budget to cover everything?
Abo, I think your wife is calling you broke.
” Asha was laughing again but I was battling staying respectful.
I could see the tightness around Asha’s eyes, despite how she kept joking.
I was fooling myself into thinking that she was offended at the reminder that our situation had been arranged.
“Which is ironic since I’ve always been taught never to speak over money I didn’t earn.
Our daughter is going to have whatever she and her fiancé desire for their wedding.
Whatever traditions you bring to the table we are more than happy to observe.
” William Senior raised his glass to the three of us and while Asha smiled I gave a simple nod of appreciation for the gesture.
“Forgive me if I’m being imprudent but are you Muslim?”
Sasha answered my grandfather earning her a smile from him. “No, we aren’t.”
“That puts my mind at ease. One of the biggest traditions is having a Kalua pig to roast. Or in this case several to roast given the size of the guest list. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone by having it present.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Nakoa.” Sasha was trying to play peacemaker but I knew the calm wouldn’t last.
He grinned at her and I swore his old ass was blushing. “It’s the least we could do.”
“O, are you having a stag weekend?”
I took a sip of my drink and continued to ignore the question that I knew was directed at me. I didn’t understand where this man got off calling me O but I was going to hurt his feelings.
“WJ, who are you talking to?” Sasha was looking at me and even I knew that stag meant bachelor party but I was going to play dumb since her bitch ass brother was trying to be funny.
“Ori.”
“Then address him as such.” Asha’s words were sharp and I had to figure out what their issue was. Besides jealousy, I needed to know what originated the discourse between the two of them.
He laughed arrogantly as he glanced between us. “Is it really that deep?”
“You’re just looking for a reason to complain, Asha. He hasn’t said a word.” Their mother stepped in for him and even though I hadn’t spoken to mine in a minute, I doubt she would ever do something so emasculating.
“I haven’t said anything because I wasn’t addressed.
If anyone at this table knows me well besides Pappy it’s her.
So, yes, I wasn’t speaking because I wasn’t spoken to.
When I spoke with you I gave you the respect of calling you Mrs. Avery.
I didn’t call you Jackie because our relationship doesn’t denote that type of familiarity.
Therefore, this same respect should be given to me until I give you leeway to do otherwise. ”
Silence blanketed the table and it wasn’t uncomfortable for our side of the table. The Avery side was a mix of emotions.
“About the stag party, Ori. I don’t mind throwing it for you. I just need the names and numbers of the groomsmen and I can get it all set up.” William Jr. was attempting to right his wrong but even in that attempt he was fucking up and making another misstep.
“You don’t live here so I’m trying to understand why you would need to plan the bachelor party as opposed to someone who does.”
His grin dimmed slightly as he looked around the table thinking someone was going to speak up for him. His features were a mix of his parents, with him taking on the thinner lips and nose of his father. Despite no one coming to his aid, he forged ahead. “Because I’m the best man.”
Asha’s mouth widened, Sasha gasped and I could tell that Pappy tensed up. I rubbed Asha’s shoulder as I battled to keep my temper in check. “What gave you that impression?”
He glanced at his mother who seemed just as surprised as he did, before he turned back to me. “It’s tradition that members of the family have important roles in the bridal party. I’m the bride's only brother and I know Sasha is going to be Maid of Honor. It’s only right that I be the best man.”
“What’s my middle name?”
He looked confused before he laughed off my question like it wasn’t important. “What? I haven’t the faintest idea.”
“My birthday? Favorite color? How many stitches did I need to close the gash on my foot the last time I went surfing? What about the importance of the tattoos on my arms?” I rattled off a list of questions to see if he knew anything about me.
I could feel Asha tensing beside me because some questions I asked, she wouldn’t know the answers to either.
I hadn’t asked them to make her feel bad but it was the truth.
Instead of speaking and giving her false reassurance I rubbed her shoulder again trying to provide a measure of comfort.
William Jr scoffed and picked up his drink before finishing it. “I just met you today.”
“Precisely. So what makes you think I would ignore the men who have been in my life, my brothers, for someone I just met today? If Asha has no place for you in the wedding I’m more than happy for you to be a groomsman or an usher—”
“AN USHER?” Their mother’s voice was raised as though this type of position in our wedding was somehow a grave insult to her favorite child.
“—But taking the spot of best man when frankly there’s a long list of people better qualified for the position than you is a ridiculous request. We don’t know each other.
Before tonight, there had been no attempts to foster a relationship despite this engagement having been set for months.
And even if you had wanted to, I’m good on friends.
I’m far too busy with all my jobs to make new ones.
So, you can get in where you fit in but I’m not about to shaft someone else just to placate your ego. ”
That was all I was going to say on that and if he didn’t like it, his only recourse was to sulk the way he currently was.
“Whatever positions in the wedding you all decide will be more than adequate. You are the bride and groom and it is your day. Your wishes are the only ones that matter.”
Their father nodded at me conveying there were no hard feelings and frankly I wouldn’t have cared if there were.
Conversation shifted away from us as everyone finished up their food, and we placed our orders for dessert. I had no desire to linger but there was one last thing that needed to be done tonight and it was the type of spectacle that I wouldn’t usually make.