Page 31 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

“Oh, good. It’s wonderful out here. What about you, Robert?” Cassie asks. But I know her queries about me or anyone else are just to make conversation. She really has no interest in anyone but herself.

“Good. Busy as ever.”

“I see. And what do you do for a living, dear?” Cassie asks, looking directly at Sara.

Sara leans forward a little bit as she’s thrust into the spotlight courtesy of my family.

“Oh, I’m a barista, but I also am working part-time at another job. It’s kind of more of my dream.”

“Oh. I see,” Cassie replies, almost with disgust.

“Interesting. Do you know how to make all of those specialty coffees?” Uncle Wilie asks.

“Sure do,” Sara chirps, smiling. “I actually know how to make stuff off the menu too.”

“Yes, I suppose it’s fine, just settling for grinding coffee beans for the rest of your life,” says Cassie, the disdain dripping off her voice.

I look over at Aunt Cassie, whose eyes look away, disinterested in what Sara says.

“Aunt Cassie, Sara’s got a lot going on, and she works there to afford other things,” I intervene. I can see this conversation may be headed in a bad direction, given Aunt Cassie’s attitude already.

“Yes. A woman with no drive. Very interesting.”

“But I do have drive.” Sara says defensively.

I frown. Hearing Aunt Cassie dismiss her like this is not how I want to see Sara treated.

“Aunt Cassie, I don’t think you know her full story. She’s working in hopes of affording a better life doing what she wants.” I am getting more and more agitated at this mean old woman as the minutes tick by.

“I suppose.” And she actually gives Sara a wave off with her hand.

The server comes by to save the day. Thank goodness, because I was this close to going off on Aunt Cassie. We haven’t gotten along in a long time. Both of us are at odds, mostly because I never liked her way of thinking when it comes to men. And Aunt Cassie of course, always had something to say about the girls that I brought around.

She did this with Maria, and now she’s doing it again with Sara.

After the server takes the orders, he walks away. My father clears his throat and then looks over at Sara.

“Sara, how old are you? Are you in college?”

“I graduated a year ago. I’m twenty-three.”

“Oh, that’s impressive. What did you major in?”

“Animal behavior and communications. I do want to go back, but I have to handle some student loan debt beforehand.”

“And I’m guessing Robert’s going to help with that?” Aunt Cassie interjects.

I look over at Aunt Cassie, whose eyes are glued to her phone, and ask: “Why do you think that?”

She puts her phone down and folds her hands together.

“Because she’s more than a decade younger than you and in debt, Robert. I get that’s why you got together in the first place and—”

“Aunt Cass, drop it. Stop!” I almost yell.

She blinks, her eyes wide. The crow's feet show, even though she’s attempted to get work done for them.

“Why should I? She’s too young for you. I know that Maria was a little on the young end, too, but—”

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