Page 27 of Grace of Spades
"I'm trying!" She grumbles.
"Don't worry, I'll introduce you to some lovely ladies Friday." I offer.
"Yes! Now it's your turn to play wing-woman!" She crows.
"Happily, my love!"
As we arrive in the kitchen we find Ruby is stressing out more than I am. Her face is flushed and her hair looks even bigger than usual.
"Ruby, what can I do to help?" I ask. She starts to wave me off but I stand firm giving her a look. "Give me something to do." Shelooks at me like she's seeing what I'm made of.
"Fine. Grate cheese." She commands.
"Yes, ma'am." I smile and start grating. "See you tomorrow, Kennedy!"
"See you then, babe! Good luck! Bye, everyone!" She calls out heading to the door. Christian sits next to me twiddling his thumbs awkwardly. It takes all my strength not to hold them as he did mine.
"I'm sorry about earlier," I mumble.
"Don't be. I get it." He mumbles back. I don't think he does but it's best if I don't encourage these feelings so I nod and feel ashamed of myself. I've always thought that if I was lucky enough to find love that I would be brave enough to hold onto it with both hands. Now here I am, pushing away a guy I like. Several of them. I am the worst.
"How was your day, sweetie?" Ruby asks me.
"It was okay. Pretty boring. Oh! Except I have to yell at Andras when he gets home!" I remember.
"Why?" She chuckles.
"I was informed that he said I was going on a date with a guy from my school," I say with a look.
"Was this Mr. McConnell?" Christian asks practically grinding his teeth.
"Liam, yeah." I nod.
"I was there. That's not how it happened. I think there was a misunderstanding." He admits. Well, that's big of him. God! Grace, stop it! This can't happen!
"What did Andras say?" I ask.
"Liam asked if he could ask you out on a date and Andras laughed and said he'd have to earn it." He smirks. I narrow my eyes in judgment.
"Alright, he may live for now." I grin. That was a good response. Points for Andras.
Ruby and I finish dinner in no time and are just about to set the table when the doorbell rings and my heart skyrockets into my throat.
11
Grace
Ruby must sense my panic because she stands in front of me with a gentle smile, holding my face in her hands.
"Just be yourself, they'll love you." She says before pushing me out into the foyer. To the wolves.
My grandparents look nervous too. Well, that's something at least.
"Hi." I smile standing there awkwardly. Where the hell is Andras!? Where did Christian go? I'll take anybody right now!
"Hello, you must be Gracelyn. I'm Ronald, your grandfather." The man says. He's tall like Andras with the same green eyes and dark hair as me. The woman next to me looks so much like Mom it hurts.
"Hello Dear, I'm Diane, your grandmother." She smiles nervously. Her smile is different from Mom's. Soft instead of cruel. Actually, all of Diane looks softer than Mom, kinder. She is well-fed and she takes care of herself. Mom was always thin and twitching. Her brown hair was thin and greasy, whereas Diane's is full and shiny.
