This is it. The first impression.
Before Jill slipped away, however, Merry grabbed her and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for everything,” she whispered.
Jill nodded and exchanged places with the family who’d just exited the elevator. Everyone wore congenial smiles, but they slowly grew into grins. Maybe she had already made a positive impression.
As soon as all the guests had arrived and everyone except Matt had a full glass of champagne in hand, Jason raised his glass.It’s now or never.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight. I know you had to travel from out of state, but we wanted to tell you our wonderful news all together.”
He took Merry’s hand, and they grinned at each other. Finally, they turned to their families and said at the same time, “We’re getting married!”
Matt leapt in the air and let out a whoop. Merry had expected as much, which is why she didn’t want Jason to give him a glass of anything liquid, yet.
His parents seemed overjoyed. His mother grabbed and hugged him and then hugged Merry in turn. His father beamed as he shook Jason’s hand and kissed Merry’s cheek. As Merry expected, her little brother jumped between them and hugged them both.
“If my sister’s going to be Mrs. Jason Falco, I want seasontickets!”
“Now, hold on a minute…” Mr. MacKenzie crossed his arms.
“Dad…” Merry answered in a warning tone.
Damn. I was afraid of this happening.
“It’s not that I’m not happy for you, I just have a couple of concerns.”
Jason remained completely calm. “Please, Mac, say whatever’s on your mind.”But think carefully about how you say it, Mr. Overprotective.My father has a short fuse.
“Now, don’t take this the wrong way. I just don’t want to see my little girl get hurt. You’re a famous star and that could be a problem for a new wife. I’m thinking about that news story that called you a three-timer.”
“Sir, that was completely fabricated by a paparazzo, trying to save her job by printing a sensational story.”
“She made up the whole thing, Dad.”
He gave Jason a sidelong glance, then asked Merry, “Are you sure?”
Mr. Falco bristled. “Are you calling my son a liar?”
His wife put a hand on his arm. “Calm down, dear.”
“Everyone,hold it right there,” Merry said. “Yes, I’m sure, Dad. I wouldn’t put myself in this situation if I didn’t trust Jason, completely. And I do.”
Thank God Merry jumped in.
“My son is incapable of being unfaithful,” his father added. “In fact, your daughter is more apt to breakhisheart if—”
Jason held up one hand. “Back off, Dad. I can deal with this.”And probably a whole lot better than either of you old geezers.
Mr. MacKenzie continued as if he had been asked to. “What about your whole big spiel about needing your independence, Merry? How many times did you insist you needed to live on your own to discover who you were? Are you telling me you know everything you need to know about yourself and you’reready to make a life-changing decision like this in a couple of months?”
“I know, I know. Believe me, I questioned that too. But Roz set me straight. She asked what I ultimately wanted out of life. I had to admit that ultimately, I wanted to be happily married to someone I love as much as I love Jason. And, Dad, he lovesmejust as much. I was luckier than anyone could have expected to find him so soon.”
Mr. MacKenzie relaxed slightly. “Okay, you’re using the wordultimately,so it doesn’t sound like this is going to happen right away. A long engagement would be good for the two of you. You’re probably still getting to know each other.”
Merry inhaled deeply and spit out the rest of it. “We’ve set the date for January twenty-second.”
Mr. MacKenzie gasped. “ThisJanuary?”
Merry nodded.
