Page 90 of The Through Duet
“I’m sorry, what?”Nan sputtered, her eyes so serious that I couldn’t help but love her so much.
“I’m seeing someone,” I repeated, grinning at her.
“Like...like you have a...a girlfriend?”she asked, her petite frame automatically sitting in one of the chairs across from me and Gramps.“You have a girlfriend?”
“I do,” I answered, my grin widening at the incredulous look on her face.“And she’s the one.”
“The...the one?’she choked out.“She’s the one?”
“Uhm, how long have you been dating?”Gramps asked.“I mean, you don’t want to rush things, son.Especially, as this is the first that we’ve heard of this.”
“Trust me, I’m not rushing anything,” I assured him.“If anything, I’ve been dragging my feet long enough.”
“Oh, my stars,” Nan rushed out, her eyes twinkling.“It’s Leandra.”
“It is?”Gramps asked, sounding confused.“How can you possibly know that?’
“Because I have eyes, and it’s plain as day every time that he looks at her,” Nan drawled out.
“It is?”
I just smiled over at Gramps.“Whether it is or not, she’s right.It’s Leandra, and I’m lucky as hell that she feels the same.”
“Well, we’re happy for you, Dalton,” he said, meaning it.“Leandra’s a wonderful girl, and it’s about time you found someone that knows how to appreciate what a good man you are.”
“Good, because I have to warn you guys, I’m not confused about wanting to spend the rest of my life with the girl, so don’t be surprised if there’s a proposal rather soon,” I told them, and I wasn’t bullshitting one fucking bit.
Remembering dinner, Nan stood up, then headed back to the stove.“Oh, Pinterest has the best wedding ideas,” she gushed.“I should start a board for her now.’
“Uhm, hate to break it to you, but it’s probably going to be an elope kind of situation, Nan,” I said, making her stop everything again to turn around to face me.
“What?What on earth are you talking about?’
“If it’s a matter of money, Dalton-”
“It’s not, Gramps,” I quickly rushed out, cutting him off.“Her mother’s just not happy about the new development, and since she’s an awful human being, I can’t see us having a traditional wedding.”
“And what are her objections to you guys dating?”Nan asked, and I recognized the mama bear tone in her voice.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s a personal objection to me or not,” I admitted.“Leandra has a trust fund, and her mother is worried that I’m only with her to scam her out of all her millions.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Gramps automatically grumbled.
“I agree,” I chuckled, lest they believe that I was upset over the accusation.“Nevertheless, the situation is what it is, so don’t get your hopes up about a big wedding.”
“Big weddings are overrated anyway,” Nan remarked as she turned back towards the stove.“Half of them end in divorce.”
“Truthfully, the situation isn’t as awful as it sounds,” I said, trying to ease the tension.“The only opinion that matters is Leandra’s, and she knows me well enough to know that I’m not after her for her money.”
Letting that go for the meantime, Gramps asked, “So, when can we expect her over for an official dinner?”
“I’m not sure of her schedule this week, but I’ll find out and then let you guys know,” I answered.
“Well, her stupid mother aside, I’m positively thrilled,” Nan said, making me look over at Gramps, and like a well-trained husband, he just shook his head.
“I’m glad,” I chuckled.“Just don’t mention anything about marriage to her just yet.I’d like for her to hear it from me first.”
“I’m still starting a wedding board for her,” she insisted, and all I could do was grin.
