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“Will you consider staying through the afternoon?”
He looks to me expectantly, unsure how to answer.
I don’t either.
“I’m hosting a benefit brunch. You should attend.”
That piques my interest. “A benefit?”
“Everyone who’s anyone in the county will be here.” She finally digs into her salad. Jake hasn’t touched his.
I’m almost done with mine.
Interesting that she mentioned who would be there before she mentioned the charity. “Which charity?”
“Feeding Henry County.”
I reply before fully thinking it through. “I’d love to.”
She nods her approval, and this time, she smiles at me genuinely. I guess I could consider that brownie points. “Ten thirty,” she says. “On the back lawn by the lake.”
The grandmother adds, “It’s supposed to be nice.” Whether she’s talking about the weather or the event, I’m unsure. She fixates on me. Brings her fork to her thin lips but half of her salad falls off. “But watch out for the lady in blue.”
What?
No one entertains her.
My attention involuntarily shifts to Harris, who’s leaning further over now, but no one seems to notice. Should I say something?
Magnolia sighs. Switches gears. “Preston, darling, have you looked into those online classes?”
Ruby sputters into her wine.
Magnolia raises an eyebrow at her but doesn’t scold.
Ruby sobers.
“Not yet,” he replies.
“Not ever,” Ruby says under her breath.
His voice rises in defense. “I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Been doing…other things for the two of you.”
Ruby challenges him. “Because as long as you’re living under Mom’s roof, you need to be doing something.”
I turn my attention to my cuticles and slink back into my chair. What other things does he do for them?
The butlers whisk away our salad plates.
“So you don’t have to. I wouldn’t want to ruin your manicure.”
“These hands are worth lots of money.” She holds them up for emphasis.
He huffs an indignant laugh. “Wouldn’t know it with the way you stuff them down random guys’ pants.”
“Enough,” Magnolia says, shutting it down, though she doesn’t sound angry or even embarrassed, just mindful. There are outside ears at the table.
The butlers place slices of roast in front of us, and my mouth waters at the sight of it. Round and perfectly sliced with a hint of pink in the middle. Mashed potatoes. Fresh green beans.
