Star-Crossed Mates

Chapter 2: Engaged

Lilly sat at the large dining table crunching hard on frosted flakes as her Mother went over the wedding plans. She couldn't hear a thing over the crunching sound. This was her mom's element, planning things. She was always trying to write everything down and always making schedules.

She studied the brown wood paneled walls, this place was like a giant hunting lodge. Deer heads all over the place. It was all so dark and stale. It was like a cave.

"Lilly are you paying attention?" Her mothers voiced broke her train of thoughts.

"Mom, do we really have to invite everyone?" Lilly didnt have a clue what her mother was saying but the big board of tables and at least a hundred names was seriously making her nervous.

"It would be disrespectful to not include all of the extended family." Said her Mother frowning at her from across the table. Her mother was a pretty woman. Short, petite, pretty chestnut hair, and squinty green eyes. Everyone always told her how she looked too young to have grown children. FIVE grown children at that.

"Mom, I don't know any of these people."

"Just stop it, I don't want you whining like a child when your fiance gets here" Her mother paused for a second as she quickly added another name to the table chart lying on the huge glass table top. "Anyways we need to show the Brownings that we care about our family ties. They come from a very old and very respected family. You will be expected to act like a lady."

And with that Lilly knew her mother meant the way she was eating. Chomping on her cereal like it was a bowl of screws. She quickly remembered to chew a little slower and sat up a bit straighter. Mom was always picking at her not so lady like manners.

"Are you daydreaming again?" Questioned her Mother as Lilly's eyes had drifted off to a big black boar head hanging over the fireplace.

This place was creepy to say the least. The outside was beautiful it was a huge log cabin style home with huge triangle windows at the top. Trees everywhere with a perfectly maintained landscape.

"Lilly!" Her mother's voiced was getting high pitched now.

"Oka-"

The door from the main hall burst open stopping Lilly from finishing her words.

A very tall man walked in smiled from ear to ear. He was slim but muscular at the same time. Looked like he'd shaved his hair since the photo she was shown.

"Hello Mrs. Lemart!" He announced looking straight at my Mother.

She quickly got up and rushed to his side. He grabbed her hand and kiss it while glancing at Lilly. "I almost wasn't sure who was who!" He said with a wink.

"Oh Mr. Browning! You are such a gentleman." Her mother responded while turning and giving Lilly a deadly stare.

She jumped from her seat and stopped a few feet from them.

"Hello." She said with a small wave. Why did she wave? Lilly could already feel her face heating up. She always felt so embarrassed when meeting people and this guy was going to be her husband...

"You are a sight." He said as he looked back at her Mother.

She wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not. She felt like a third wheel. Her Mom was all googly eyed over this guy. He wasn't even her type. Her father was actually blonde but usually her Mother was eyeing the long haired type of guys.

They shared a few giggly words then started walking out of the room. Lilly followed them into the big hall. "Lilly why don't you and Mr. Browning... I mean Joey take a walk and get to know one another." Her Mother turned around to face her suddenly and they were both looking her up and down.

She was wearing a lacey knee length dress her mom had forced her to put on, but her hair was completely brushed and a bit wild. Mr. Browning... Err. Joey stepped towards her and extended his hand.

"Shall we?" He said with another big smile.