Page 40 of One Bossy Date
Granny Dotty was feeling her wine and giggling like a hyena along with my thrilled mother. “What if it’s twins, Zoe? You could have a full family in one go,” her gran mused, while my mom gasped in absolute delight at the idea.
“Or triplets!”
Next to Dotty sat Ben, an elegant gentleman in his sixties, with a neatly combed mustache and thickly rimmed glasses, who I assumed to be her significant other. He threw his head back in amusement. “Jesus, Dotty. Slow down, the poor girl is already overwhelmed as it is.”
Zoe finally put her game face back on, chuckling nervously. “Oh, God, Ihopeit’s not twins.”
“I’m so happy for you two.” My mom appeared close to tears. “For so long I’ve waited for this day. For you to find happiness and a good family life.” Granny Dotty listened to her intently, leaning forward over the table with her chin on her hands. “Especially after your father died, Anders. I’ve only wanted you and your brother to find what he and I had.” She set her lips in a flat line. “Although, I might start giving up on Daxton soon.”
“What’s wrong with Daxton?” Zoe asked defensively, even though she’d never met him. That was interesting. The moment it was about someone other than herself, her strength revived.
“Oh, nothing dear. He’s just finding himself.” My mom shrugged, and Zoe quickly looked at me, remembering our conversation. “He’s just trying out different careers to find what he wants to do. Refuses to join the family business. I just wish he’d find himself a lovely girl like you, Zoe. So he can settle down a bit and live a proper life.”
A proper life.Like the one that was supposed to be in front of me.
“Oh, well, I’m sure he doesn’t need a girl to do that,” Zoe said. “He just needs to find what makes him happy.” She turned to me. “What do you think your brother enjoys most, Anders?”
Huh. Interesting. No one had asked me that question before. I thought for a moment until my thoughts dwindled down to one. “Honestly…people. Whatever business he’s in, his connection with the customers or clients is always solid. They like him, and he thrives with them. He’s genuine about what he promises to them. It’s a talent.” My mom raised a brow as if she’d never thought of it before but nodded in agreement. “Whatever he ends up doing, I’m sure he’ll be happiest among people.”
Zoe smiled at my answer. It relieved me to see that she’d recovered somewhat. “See? His passion is there somewhere,” she said. “He’s good at something. He’ll figure that out for himself eventually.”
“I hope so,” my mom said, still nodding. “He’s got so much potential, so much at his feet. I don’t want to see that go to waste.”
“Zoe took a while to find her path as well,” Granny Dotty said, nudging me with her elbow.
This interested me. “Oh, yeah?”
“A really long while,” Zoe admitted. I noticed a light blush grow up her neck. “But now, now I have my own store, doing what I love. Business is…” she hesitated, seeming to search for the right words, “tough. But I’m happy at least.”
“And that’s all that matters, honey.” Her gran grabbed her hand.
* * *
Ten minutes later, Granny Dotty opened the dance floor with Ben, and soon, all the couples took their chance to sway to the romantic music.
I stood and offered Zoe my hand. “Shall we?”
The look she gave me was one of surprise. “Oh, really? I didn’t think you would dance. And I haven’t danced since…high school, I think. Besides,” she lowered her voice, “it’s really okay, we don’t need to.”
Leaning down to her ear, I rumbled, “I’ll lead.”
She accepted that with a small bite of her lip and slid her hand into mine. Even though the whole evening had been fake, this didn’t need to be.
On the dance floor, I drew her against me with a locked arm around her waist, and the other still holding the dainty hand she’d given me. Zoe put her free hand on my chest, watching as if my torso might burn her fingers. Her hazel eyes connected with mine, and then she stared at my lips. I could feel the heat of her palm through my shirt and her fluttering pulse under my thumb of the other hand. She gingerly lifted her gaze back to mine.
“I’m so sorry, Anders,” she whispered.
“For what?” I asked. It wasn’t a “For what—everything’s fine,” kind of question, but rather a “For what—exactly?” kind of question. But I knew she felt horrible already, and I didn’t want to make it worse.
“For getting you involved in all this shit.” She scanned the room, gauging whether anyone was watching us. Nobody was. Everybody around us was busy entertaining themselves.
The music drowned out anything anyone nearby might have heard, but I leaned in closer, speaking softly into her ear. “‘All this shit’ was not your fault. Besides, I haven’t seen my mother this happy in a long time.” I turned and noticed her sitting and laughing with a group of Zoe’s aunts. It always amazed me how comfortable she was in all social settings.
“Yes, true, but,” she sighed, “when will my life just be simple? Can’t I just have a life where no one cares what I do with myself?”
Instead of an answer, I pulled her closer to me.
* * *