Page 47 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
I was shocked at the exchange. James' dad had always seemed as snooty as his wife. But here he was making an effort at least. He was so much warmer than Mrs. Hunter.
"We are so happy to finally meet you," he said with a smile.
Finally?He had only just met me a few weeks ago. I didn't care if it was just a show, it was nice of him to try. He looked genuinely pleased to meet them.
"We love your son dearly," my mom said as she shook his hand. "He's such a wonderful addition to our family."
Mrs. Hunter frowned. "I'd like to make a toast," she said loudly so that everyone could hear. "Can someone turn off that retched music?"
I saw Rory press some buttons on the sound system. First it got louder and then he successfully turned it off. He gave me a thumbs up.
"Honestly, you should get some better help," Mrs. Hunter mumbled.
Rory's friend that had been flirting with Melissa laughed. After getting a death stare from Mrs. Hunter, he grabbed Rory's arm and they both retreated into the kitchen.
Mrs. Hunter cleared her throat and lifted her drink in the air. "I'd just like to make a toast to the happy couple. Clearly there is some kind of substance there since they're actually going through with this whole thing. It's definitely not the arrangement we would have hoped for." She glanced at me. "Clearly. I admire a girl for marrying up, but how this young girl got her claws in..."
"What my wife is trying to say," Mr. Hunter interrupted and grabbed the glass out of her hand, "is that we are very happy that the two of you found each other. Happiness is the most important thing in this world. Life is much too short. It goes by in a flash. So hold on to each other. Hold on to that feeling that you have right now. And, Penny, you seem like such a lovely girl. My wife and I are both excited to get to know you better. I'm just sorry it took so long. Welcome to the family. Cheers to the happy couple." He raised the glass in the air.
Everyone clinked glasses.
"We're happy for you, son," he said and put his hand on James' shoulder.
James looked down at his dad's hand like it was a foreign object. "Thanks." He said it more like a question than a statement.
"If you'll excuse us for a second." He grabbed his wife's arm and pulled her toward the kitchen. A second later, the catering staff came running out.
"I think your father might be having a midlife crisis," I said.
"Yeah. Or maybe he's finally trying to be a good dad."
"They both seem lovely," my mom said cheerily. But I could tell by her face that she was shocked. Sometimes she was as bad as me at hiding her emotions.
"A little stuck up if you ask me," my dad said under his breath.
"Dad!"
But James laughed. "You have no idea."
My dad smiled. "And they're the ones that convinced you to root for the Giants? I'll make an Eagles fan out of you yet."
"Good luck with that. I think it's much more likely I'll make a Giants fan out of Penny."
"Not a chance," my dad said.
They both laughed.
My dad had made a habit of coming up whenever the Eagles played the Giants. He'd watch the games with us. Rob, Mason, and Matt would all come over too and cheer on the Giants. It wasjust me and my dad rooting for the Eagles. Sometimes Bee would come over and cheer on the Eagles with us. I'm pretty sure it drove James crazy that he couldn't convert me into a Giants fan. But I had grown up watching the Eagles with my dad. That was one thing James couldn't get his way with. Besides, I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the ongoing bets we had on the games.
"Have any of you gotten dessert yet?" Rory's friend Jackson asked. "It's delightful on your palette. You simply have to try it." He held up the tray of decadent chocolate pastries.
"Absolutely." I grabbed one off the tray and took a bite. "Oh my God, this is amazing." I took another huge bite.
"You really have been hungry," James whispered in my ear. "Your declaration of love for that dessert was almost orgasmic."
I laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. "It was not."
He gave me a playful smile.
