“You have no idea what your father would have thought.” My father holds his cheek as a stare-off ensues. I take a step back, wondering if I should go. These interactions make me uncomfortable. They also make me feel as though it’s my fault that they aren’t getting along.
“I have work to get done,” he grits out through his teeth before he stomps away like a child. My grandma turns to face me. The anger on her face is gone as she gives me a soft smile. It's the same way she always looks at me.
“Did you see the pictures? You looked stunning.”
“I saw them, but did you read the article?” I lift an eyebrow at her. She waves it off as if the words mean nothing.
“They are trying to get you to bite so you’ll tell them who you’re dating. Speaking of. When is your date?”
“What date?” I try to play it off. I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that I’d thought about what it would be like to actually go on that date. But then I’d quickly pushed those thoughts aside knowing that no good would come of it.
“The one you bought.” She gives me a look letting me know that she knows that I’m trying to avoid the conversation. Of course she does. She is always a few steps ahead of everyone else. I’m sure it’s a skill she’s needed in order to remain in control of this family. Especially when it comes to dealing with my father and two half-brothers.
“I bought him as a favor. He asked me to help him, and I did. With how scary some of the women there were, can you blame him for approaching a stranger and handing over his credit card? He was desperate, and I just happened to be standing there at the moment.” My grandma gives me a look that tells me she’s not buying what I’m selling, so I decide to try another tactic.
“Come have lunch with me.” I take her arm to lead her toward the kitchen. We veer off to the side and head for the covered outside patio area. She always has tea waiting for us. I love the time we spend together out here. She walks over and takes a seat, and I do the same.
“I would agree with you about not going on the date if you had used his card, but you paid for it yourself, so now you have to go. The Fréreses might take it as an insult.” It suddenly clicks in my head.
“Fréres.” I repeat the last name. I know I saw it on his card last night. “That’s not connected to the wedding dressmaker, right?”
“It is. You’ve heard of it?”
I nod my head. “They have a bridal magazine they release every six months. My mom and I used to always get it and look at the dresses together.”
“It really is a small world,” Grandma says, taking a sip from her tea.
“I don’t know why, but I always had a thing for weddings. We’d look at the catalogs and pretend to plan my dream wedding. I still have them all. I even started making up designs myself.”
Grandma reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a small squeeze. “Well, then. If you want to have your dream wedding someday, you’ll have to start dating.” This is true. The problem with that is Grandma is always trying to set me up with these rich men. All the rich men I’ve met have not been good men. I don’t know how to tell her that is not something I’m looking for. It might insult her, and that is the last thing I’d ever want to do.
“I love you, Grandma, but I’m not going to force a date with a man who begged me to bid on him because he didn't want to go on a date to begin with.”
“I don't think Gant is going to be opposed to taking you on a date.”
“I’m not going to reach out to him and ask.” I pop a grape into my mouth. I’d die of embarrassment if I called him and asked if we were going on this date for him only to remind me that wasn't the deal.
“No, we don’t call, sweetheart.” She takes a sip of her tea. “We’ll wait for him to show up here.”
“You really think he’s going to show up here?” A smirk plays on my grandma’s lips. She’s up to something.
“Yes, I do. Sooner rather than later. I’m sure he’s seen the pictures too.” One had been with Gant. One I don’t remember the guy's name, and the other was with that creepy Sean guy.
“I think I’m missing something.” I pop a few more grapes into my mouth. I would think the article would turn him off to the idea of me.