Page 16 of From Best Friend to Bride
“I can assure you it wasn’t my intention to take your side,” Granny replied wryly, taking off her glasses to clean them on her cardigan. “What is it you were saying that I wouldn’t allow?”
Deli dropped her head. “Fred suggested we tell her he’s my secret boyfriend and we get married.”
Granny blinked at us both. “That’s quite the idea.”
“You just said yourself that everyone already thinks we’re dating,” I reminded her. “It’d only be on paper, and when the time comes, we’ll get an annulment. We can do it all quietly.”
“I can’t allow it.”
Deli smacked my thigh with a triumphant smile. “Told you.”
“No, no.” Granny put her glasses back on and shook her head. “I have no issue with the two of you getting married. On the other hand, I’d be quite pleased if you did so and put me out of my misery.”
Yep.
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard that.
“But if that happens, I’m afraid an annulment is out of the question,” she finished.
Deli froze.
At least one of us was surprised.
I had a feeling that would be the thing Granny protested against.
“Granny—”
“No,” Granny said, interrupting her. “I’ve experienced more than enough of his shoddy taste in women. My heart wouldn’t be able to take him bringing home another floozy like Charlotte.”
My head hurt. “I have no intention of bringing home anyone, much less a floozy, as you put it.”
“Then why would you get an annulment?”
“Because it wouldn’t be a real marriage. Why wouldn’t we annul it?”
“Fall in love instead.”
“That’s not how it works, Granny.”
She held up her hand, briefly closing her eyes. “It would be nothing more than an arranged marriage on paper, Frederick. They’re not as common these days, but people do get married for all sorts of reasons, and it doesn’t mean it’s any less valid.”
“Yes. And we would be getting married to fulfil Nana’s dying wish if she chooses not to get anymore treatment,” I replied. “That’s it. Neither of us have those sorts of feelings for each other.”
Granny narrowed her eyes at me and stood up. “Then get some.”
“Fine, sure. If I promise to do my best to fall in love with Delilah, will you give your consent for us to get married to make Nana happy?”
She stalked towards the door, then stopped and looked back at us over her shoulder. “I want three great-grandchildren.”
“Can they be cats?” Deli tapped her fingers against her knee.
“One cat and two humans.”
“Three cats and you can borrow my niece.”
Was it all right for her to pimp out her unborn niece like that?
“I will accept it as a temporary measure,” Granny said, sweeping her gaze over us both. “All joking aside, if this is what you decide to do, I will allow it, but only because it’s you, Delilah. And because Judy has long been one of my closest friends. As much as I dislike lying, she’s suffered enough from this awful illness, and I want her to be happy in the time she has left.”
