Page 60 of The Wedding Favor

I cradled my head in my hands. Why couldn’t Gloria be one of those forgetful old people? But no, she was sharp as a… very, very sharp tack.

Gloria patted Abe’s arm and then squeezed it. “Oh, my, what big muscles you have.”

The whole room seemed to have forgotten about the fight and was now entranced at whatever was unfolding. I saw Jonathan whispering furiously to his wife. Although I couldn’t make out the words exactly, I was pretty sure he mentioned tattoos and long hair.

“It’s, ah, nice to meet you,” Abe said. His eyes darted to me with a “please save me” plea in them.

I hopped down from the stage and hustled over to them. “Oh, good, you made it. I bet you and Hallie want to head out as soon as possible.”

“Don’t be rude,” Gloria said. “Introduce the man.”

“Abe, Gloria.” I turned to Gloria, shooting daggers from my eyeballs like I was getting paid to do it. “Gloria, Abe, Hallie’s dad.”

Gloria smiled gleefully. She may have been eighty-seven, but she was a shark in disguise… and she smelled blood. “It’s so very nice to meet you, Abe. Is that short for Abraham?”

“Um, yeah?”

“Such a strong, manly name. Why, I bet you could part the Red Sea all on your own.”

The corners of his mouth tightened as though he were fighting off a grin. “I think that was Moses.”

“Was it? Well, I’m sure Abraham would have done it if he’d had the chance.” Gloria placed a hand on Hallie’s shoulder. “Your daughter is delightful. You and your wife must be so proud.”

Abe shifted on his feet. “Ah, no wife. Just Hallie and me.”

Gloria pressed a hand to her chest in shock. “No wife. What a shame. Maybe we should find you one?”

I clapped my hands once. “And that’s the cue for Abe and Hallie to get home. I’m sure they have… something to do and we have a game to finish.”

But one glance around the room showed that people had shuffled off. A group had taken out a puzzle and were already making progress; even Mr. Terrance and Mrs. Glass were having a non-combative conversation. BINGO night was over.

“Thank Iris for bringing you along,” Abe said to Hallie.

“Thanks, Iris. It was fun.” Hallie waved. “And I liked meeting Miss Gloria, too.”

“You too, darling.” She flashed Abe a smile. “It was so nice to meet you, too. Did you know Iris is helping out with our dance this weekend? It’s a forties theme.” She gasped. “I’ve just had the grandest idea. You should come. Get some dance practice in, since you’ll be going to that idiot’s wedding together.”

Abe stepped closer. “He is an idiot, isn’t he? I’m glad someone else agrees.”

“How she hasn’t seen it really speaks to this blind loyalty of hers. Our girl thinks she’s so big and strong, but even she needs protection sometimes.”

“Our girl?” I repeated. No one was listening to me.

“I think she can take care of herself. She doesn’t need anyone to save her,” Abe said. “But she could probably use a little help every now and then. Like all of us, I guess.”

“Darling, that is the perfect way to put it.” She leaned in. “But if I ever meet that poor excuse for a man, I fear I’ll need help burying the body.”

Abe grinned. “You have my word.”

What was happening here? Were these two bonding over murdering my ex-boyfriend?

“You’ll come on Saturday evening? Bring Hallie with you. Please? Like I said, think of it as practice for that wedding reception.” She turned a smile to me, but her eyes said gotcha. “Isn’t this such a good idea, Iris?”

It probably was a good idea. The point was to look like we were together, as in a couple. Couples danced and stuff. I knew that, but it did nothing to stop the flutter in my stomach—part nerves, part something else. Trepidation? Or was it anticipation? “I guess?”

“That’s settled, then. We’ll see you all on Saturday.” She waved a hand vaguely in my direction. “Iris has the details. I look forward to getting to know you both even more.”

With a winning smile and a dramatic turn, Gloria glided out of the room, only stopping once to whisper in my ear. “I told you I’d get to meet him.”