Page 36 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
“That’s really great! A lawyer and a businessman. Perfect combination,” Penny says.
A smile spreads over my face. I never thought about it like that.
“Penny, I know you’re a fashion designer. How did you meet your husband? Landon mentioned his name to me before, it’s—”
“Parker.” Penny nods. “Yes. That’s actually a funny story. We actually went to school together when we were younger. He was Grayson’s best friend, and he bullied me all the time. But then, at my first New York Fashion Week, his company was the event organizer and I was one of the designers. It was like fate.”
Eleanor beams at Penny, and I can tell that they have an extremely close relationship. I remember Landon telling me about how Penny's parents died. Eleanor was her mom’s best friend, so it only made sense for Eleanor to adopt Penny. It’s obvious that she has a big heart.
It fills me warmth, being in the presence of someone like her. I can only hope that one day I’ll be able to marry into a family like this, since I won’t actually be marrying into this one. It’s unfortunate that mine and Landon’s entire relationship is a sham.
“That’s really sweet, how your relationship blossomed like that. How about you, Eleanor? How did you meet Landon’s dad?” I worry about bringing this up, because I know it can be a tough topic when you’ve lost your partner. She smiles dreamily, though.
“Oh, that sweet man. I was working as a server at the country club he and his father always went to. See, I didn’t come from money. I was just a regular, working-class girl trying to make a living.”
I blink at this revelation.
“Gregory would always flirt with me. At first, I think he did it to annoy his father, but after a while, he actually started to fall for me. One day, I was closing up late and he came up to me, saying that he forgot something and needed to get it urgently. I let him in, and it turns out he just wanted an excuse to talk to me one on one. We swam all night in the club pool, talking and learning about each other. I fell in love with him that very night. After that, it was history. We were basically inseparable. His mother didn’t like that, though. She thought he should be with someone more of his caliber. He wouldn’t hear it though. He fought to be with me, and wasn’t even fazed with their threats of excommunication and being ousted from the family business. He was incredible.”
I could feel my own eyes getting wet as Eleanor dots her eyes on the back of her napkin.
“That’s incredibly beautiful,” I whisper.
“He was the sincerest man I’ve ever known,” Eleanor says. “It was devastating when he passed. It tore both the kids and me apart.”
I take a peek at Penny. She’s looking away, with some tears running down her face. It’s clear to see that it affected them deeply.
“You know, I also don’t come from a wealthy background. I don’t know if Landon told you,” I say.
Eleanor laughs.
“Oh, honey, I know. Landon didn’t have to say a word. I knew it from the moment I met you in that limo. You’re not at all like the women that grow up in this lifestyle. You’re much more humble. It’s part of the reason that I like you so much. You’re real.”
I blink and smile. I can’t believe that she knew. Even more so, I can’t believe that I was worried about her disliking me because of it. My heart swells at the fact that I feel like I know this woman, and then immediately sinks when I realize that I’m deceiving her.
My thoughts are interrupted by a server bringing over a three-tiered platter spilling over with finger sandwiches, scones, and crepes. A tea tray is being carried by another server. How very fancy. The servers give us each small plates and we dig in.
“Ohmygod,thatwas incredible,” I say as I take a sip of my sweet tea.
Eleanor is dabbing at her mouth with her napkin and Penny is lounging back in her chair.
“I can’t believe we finished it all.”
Not a single crumb was left on any of the three tiers of the platter. We must have consumed thousands of delicious carbs.
“I remember why I stopped coming here. I eat way too much!” Eleanor says and chuckles.
I laugh along with her.
The server comes by with the bill. I’m nervous about the cost, but luckily, I have earned a decent amount of money, so even if I can’t cover the whole thing, I can at least cover my portion. I reach in my purse and start digging out my wallet when Eleanor waves me off.
“Put that away, dear. This is my treat! A nice lunch to get to know my future daughter-in-law.” I’m wracked with guilt at her comment.
I pray she never finds out the truth.
“Oh, please, at least let me cover my portion,” I say, and Eleanor rolls her eyes.
“Don’t bother. She never lets me pay either. It’s a futile effort,” Penny says as she stands up.
