Oops.
But I have no time to check if he's okay, since there's this old man suddenly standing in front of me.
"Grandpa, hi."
My grandfather doesn't answer, and that is so not good since he's never been the type to hide what he's feeling. You'll always know when he's happy or mad, sad or grumpy. But right now, his expression can only be described as enigmatic, and it's making me feel doubly nervous.
"I don't see Brian around."
Grandpa Paco sounds so bland, and it's making me want to start biting my nails.
"He, um, had to leave early."
"I see."
His gaze flicks to Mr. Mine, who's now standing next to me, and I take it as my cue to make the necessary introductions. "Grandpa, I'd like to introduce my friend, Rashad."
I feel Mr. Mine stiffen the moment he hears me utter his name, and I turn to smile brightly up at him even as I will him with my gaze to pretty, pretty please play along. Grandpa Paco places a lot of importance on first impressions, so we only have this one shot to win his approval.
"Rashad, this is my grandfather Francisco San Jose. But everyone just calls him Paco."
The old man comes from a generation that firmly believes in 'age begetting respect', and relief has my knees knocking against each other when Mr. Mine is the first to reach out for a handshake.
Good job, Mr. Mine!
"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Mr. Mine says in his deep, strong voice.
My grandfather only grunts in response, but I tell myself that's still better than nothing until—-
"Are you really a friend of Maddy," the old man asks oh-so-casually, "or you're hoping to become more?"
Holy, holy, holy Mother of Mockery!
I can't believe he's just asked that, and I realize too late that I should've just wished for Grandpa Paco to give Mr. Mine the cold shoulder like he usually does with any guy he hasn't personally introduced me to.
Mr. Mine glances at me, and I freeze.
This is it, I think numbly. He's going to make up some excuse to leave, and who can blame him? With the way Grandpa Paco's acting, it's totally understandable if Mr. Mine feels like he's about to be threatened with a shotgun wedding.
"I'm hoping to be whatever your granddaughter wants me to be."
What did he just say?
The two men start talking while I struggle to make sense of what just happened.
"Come join us for dinner," Grandpa Paco invites gruffly.
"Only if it's my treat," Mr. Mine answers with surprising suaveness. "Your choice of restaurant, of course."
Grandpa Paco laughs heartily. "It's a deal."
And that's how we end up walking out of Paradijs like one big, happy family.
Mr. Mine excuses himself to take a call just as Grandpa Paco's car comes up Paradijs' driveway, and I'm about to step inside when the old man blocks my way with his cane.
"You should ride with him instead."
"Grandpa!"I know he wants me married, but c'mon now.