BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 529
"I'm glad that you want to move on. You know, dear, marriage is really just about having someone to share the ups and downs with. It's the mundane days that build a life. You'll understand when you're my age."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Alright, Mom, I get it. But can we just cut back on the blind dates? Maybe one or two a week would be enough?"
Meg never intended to push her daughter to the brink. Hearing Phoebe's willingness to give it a try eased a weight from her heart, and tears swirled in her eyes with relief. "Alright, I promise I won't set you up on more than one date a day."
A smile played on Phoebe's lips. "Thanks, Mom."
"Hungry, dear? I could whip up some late-night snacks."
Phoebe pouted. "No way, midnight snacking is a straight path to gaining weight."
"Nonsense, you're so skinny. What weight are you talking about?" Meg frowned, with concern etching her voice.
Phoebe's pout persisted. It was a fleeting illusion that her mother had softened. "Well, if you insist, how about fixing me some papaya smoothie? It's low in calories, and it's good for the skin and health. But I think we're out of milk."
"There's a convenience store right at the bottom of your building, isn't there? I'll have your dad pick up some on his way back," Meg decided, reaching for her phone.
Grayson had just parked the car and was near enough to the store to fulfill the errand. He returned with a carton of fresh milk, smiling as he walked into the living room to find his wife and daughter cozied up on the sofa.
"This is how it should be," he chuckled. "Not bickering like sworn enemies the moment you see each other, when you both clearly care so deeply."
As they settled in, Meg excused herself to prepare the papaya smoothie, leaving Grayson and Phoebe to talk.
Resting her head on Grayson's shoulder, Phoebe broke the silence. "Dad, you know about my... situation, don't you? Is that why you never stopped Mom from setting me up on these dates?"
"Of course I know, sweetheart. I'm not blind to my own daughter's troubles. That guy better not show his face around here again, or I swear..."
Phoebe chuckled at the protectiveness in her father's voice. "You both kept quiet all these years."
"If you don't bring it up, neither do we," Grayson simply replied.
After some time, Meg came out of the kitchwn with papaya smoothie. They watched Phoebe eat, and reminded her of the day's promises and made her swear not to back out.
f.net
Once alone, Phoebe pulled out a hidden photograph from behind another in a frame on her desk. It ina was a picture of her with a man, both beaming with happiness. Taking a deep breath, she tossed it
into a box under her bed. It was time
to move on and take blind dates
seriously. Content belongs to
Novelxo.org
Meanwhile, for Noel, the evening wasn't nearly as cozy. Upon entering his
grandfather's house, he found the old man sitting stiffly on the sofa. His gaze was as sharp as a blade.
"What's wrong now, Grandpa? I went on that date just like you asked. Why are you upset this time?" Noel asked, not quite ready for the lecture.
Robin, Noel's grandfather, slammed his hand down on the table. "Is that how you behave on a date? The Wagner girl complained about the nonsense you spouted. I'm too embarrassed to repeat it. Your attitude was appalling."
"But Grandpa, I didn't say anything out of line to Ms. Phoebe."
Robin's glare intensified, and his cane came down hard on Noel. "Asking a lady if she's slept with a man? What kind of question is that?"
Noel realized instantly that Phoebe must've twisted his words. He'd have to watch out for that cunning girl.
"Grandpa, when you're looking for a wife, you need to make sure... you know," Noel tried to justify.
"Noel! Can't you discreetly find out these things? Must you embarrass the girl and me? People will think you're a pervert, not a gentleman," Robin fumed.
"Alright, Grandpa, I'll be more tactful from now on. I won't ask directly to spare their feelings," Noel conceded, though his mind was already plotting how to handle Phoebe next time their paths crossed.
"Go to your room and think about
what you've done. If you pull a stunt
et
like this again, you'll see what's coming to ya. You're not a spring chicken anymore, and yet even a simple date ends with you getting rejected. What's wrong with the Yates family, huh?" The old man's voice boomed as he gave Noel a tap with his walking stick. Content belongs to Novelxo.org
Noel chuckled, "Good night, Grandpa. I'm off to hit the hay."
Once he was back in his room, Noel's smirk faded into a frown. This was the first time he'd been played like a fiddle by a woman. Phoebe he'd etched that name into his memory. With that thought, be whipped out his phone and dialed his right-hand man to dig up everything about Phoebe. Content belongs to Novelxo.org