Page 75 of The Troublemaker
“Whit.Nice to meet you.Great proposal.”He winks, already aware that it was all for show.
“Yes, it was adorable.My mother would’ve loved it.I could almost feel all the emotion through the pictures online.”
“Mom,” Hadley sighs.
“You must be Sloane,” I say, putting my hand in front of her sister.
She daintily takes it, her palm barely touching mine.“Calluses, such a hard worker you are.”
“Sloane,” Hadley snaps with annoyance.
“I’ll take it as a compliment.Means I’m getting my job done.”I walk back over and take my seat.
I see some puffs on Tanner’s tray that Hadley must’ve put out while I was introducing myself.
“He’s adorable,” Whit says.“How’s the adjustment been for you two?”
Hadley smiles at Tanner.“Good.He loves the bookstore.Adores Felix.”
Whit smiles.“Hopefully he and Marco will get matched soon.”
“Thank goodness Grandma hired good workers for you,” Sloane says pointedly at Hadley.
Hadley gives her a saccharine smile, and my hand fists under the table, realizing that she’s had to deal with this her entire life.Of course she doesn’t want to live in Chicago.I’d run away from home too.
The food is already on the table, and Whit picks up dishes, handing them to his mom.She passes them to me, and I pass them to Hadley, not wanting to serve myself before she has her food.My mom would be appalled.
“Oh please, you’re our guest.Go ahead.Hadley barely eats.Are you even eating meat nowadays?”Margot asks.
“Since I was eighteen, yes.”Hadley’s words come out through clenched teeth.
Sloane laughs, but it’s not genuine.“How are we supposed to keep up with whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or what was that other one, Mother?”
“Flexitarian.”
The two of them laugh.
“Brea is trying a plant-based diet, and it’s really helped her inflammation,” Whit says.
I catch Hadley smiling at her brother.
At least there’s one person on her team here.
“So, Easton, tell me about yourself.Usually I’d know more about my daughter’s husband, but being that you swept my daughter off her fleeting feet…”
“Well… I’m from Alaska?—”
“Yes, I read that.I must be the only mother-in-law who has to read about her new son-in-law online.Big family, right?Saw an ESPN video on you in your hometown.Quaint—your mom, the principal, and your dad, a teacher and coach.Just a precious little life up there.”
I inhale and pick up my wineglass.Usually I wouldn’t have one since I have to play tomorrow, but tonight might have to be an exception.
“It’s beautiful,” Hadley says.
“Oh, have you been there?You’ve met his parents.I’m the only one out of the loop.”Margot narrows her eyes at Hadley.
I wipe my mouth with my napkin.“No, my sister is pregnant, and she’s due anytime now, so my parents are waiting for her to deliver before coming down here.We didn’t tell anyone except my friends.”
“And does Honor know?”She looks right at Hadley, then glances down at the table.“I heard her grandmother is on the decline.”
