“It might not be so bad,” he volunteered. “She’ll understand. I can’t imagine a mother would want her daughter to marry a lying, cheating bastard.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nope. She can’t get her deposits back. She warned me last fall when I told her I told her about my engagement.” She looked up at him. “She was pissed. She said Jay should have asked Dad for my hand in marriage, as if it were some kind of business transaction. And the fact that I’d dated him for two years without ever bringing him home. Well…that pissed her off too.”
“So why not catch a flight to KC to introduce them?” He could only imagine how pissed his mother would be if he got engaged to a woman she’d never met.
She sighed. “Jay could never get away. And honestly, I’ve only been home once in four years. I didn’t want him to meet them.”
“So they were basically going to meet him on the way to the chapel? I can understand why she’d be pissed.”
The woman gave him a frustrated glare. “Really, Mr. McMillan? I saved you from the single greatest mistake of your life—Future Mrs. McMillan up there—and you turn on me just like that?” She tried to snap her fingers, but she fumbled with them several times before giving up.
He grinned. “When you put it that way… I’m still not surprised your mother was pissed.”
“Well, it wasn’t going to be like that. That’s why we were coming today, so my family could spend an extra couple of days getting to know him.”
“Wow.” He lifted his hands off his lap. “A whole couple extra days to meet their new son-in-law.”
“You don’t know my family. And the whole thing’s moot. He’s history and my mother has to cancel a twenty-five thousand dollar wedding without getting a single penny back.” She took several shallow breaths and Josh realized she was about to cry.
“Hey! Maybe she can get a refund on some of it.”
She sniffled, reaching to the floor for her purse, but the seatbelt across her lap kept it out of reach, while also protecting her from falling out of the seat and onto her head—the real danger.
“Here let me get that for you,” Josh said, already unlatching his belt. He leaned forward and grabbed the bag and set it in her lap.
She pulled out a package of tissues, struggling to pull one loose from the plastic.
He reached over and tugged it out and handed it to her.
She blew her nose, a noisy sound, then looked up at him. “Do you want to know the worst part?”
Ordinarily, he wouldn’t. He’d be looking for the first opportunity out of this crazy conversation. But God help him, he was genuinely curious when he asked, “What?”
“That she’s going to say, ‘I told you so.’” Tears filled her eyes.
“Maybe she won’t. Families surprise you sometimes.”
She shook her head. “You don’t know my mother.”
There was no doubt about it, she was in a difficult position, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. But her alcohol-induced ADHD kicked in and she started digging through her bag again. “Where is it?”
“What are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”
“Tina lied. She swore that Dramamine would keep me from feeling sick, but I feel like I’m about to puke.”
“Dramamine?”
“Maybe I should take more.”
He grabbed her bag and pulled it from her. “You took Dramamine? When?”
“When I was boarding the plane. The last time I flew, I got sick when the plane hit turbulence. I didn’t want that to happen again.”
“How many drinks have you had?”
“Only two,” She said, looking indignant, then looked sheepish. “Plus yours.”
“That’s two and a half too many. You can’t drink with Dramamine.” He reached over his head and pushed the call light. The flight attendant appeared within seconds and he found himself mentally calling her the almost-future Mrs. McMillan. “Can I get more water for…” he looked at the nearly incapacitated woman, realizing he didn’t even know her name.
“Megan,” she offered.
“…for Megan. She’s not feeling well.”
The flight attendant looked disgusted. “Is she drunk?”
“No. She just needs water.”
The woman released an exasperated sigh and spun on her heels.
“She’s pissed at you, you know,” Megan mumbled, leaning back in the seat. “She’s jealous.”
“Let her be,” he grumbled. “Didn’t you know you shouldn’t drink with Dramamine?”
“No.” She closed her eyes and rested her head against the window.
The flight attendant brought the water and handed it to Josh, who took it without giving her a glance.