Page 55 of The Wedding Hoax

“I don’t know. Kind of sounds like we should celebrate to me.” I grinned. “Good news is still good news. How about we open a bottle of champagne?”

“No!” Simone quickly shook her head. “No champagne.”

“Simi’s right. I’m not sure I’m in the mood for champagne, either.” Eileen sighed. “I would like to eat dinner now, though.”

“Sure,” I said, heading to the door. “I’m hungry, too.”

“Need any help serving?” Simone asked.

“Nah, I’ve got it.” I waved her off.

In the kitchen, I plated the dinner I’d had catered by a professional chef. Eileen and Simone quietly spoke to each other at the dinner table, their tone somber and serious. Sometimes, I’d look over and see Simone or Eileen smiling, but it seemed short-lived.

Dammit.

I felt like a total idiot. Here I was, so ready to spring the greenhouse news on Simone and Eileen. But for all they knew, Eileen was going to be in even worse shape than before.

There was a chance she wouldn’t have even been able to appreciate the greenhouse.

“Dinner’s served,” I said as I set plates down in front of Eileen, Simone, and then myself. As I took my seat, I looked over at Eileen. “And Eileen?”

“Yes, Harry?”

“I hope the surgery goes well for you. I hope it gives you back at least some of what you lost. And I hope that somehow it helps you find new parts of yourself, too.”

“Thank you, Harry. That’s so sweet of you.” Eileen smiled.

“Yeah, Harry. That was really sweet.” Simone smiled at me, too. “And you can tell whoever made this dinner that it smells out of this world.”

Dinner went by without much conversation, as mother and daughter exchanged glances only they understood. It was like watching them speak in a secret language, even though I knew why they didn’t want to let me in right now.

They were scared, panicked about the surgery. They were excited about it, too.

It had to be a confusing mix of emotions, and I had no interest in pressuring them to let me in as they worked through everything they felt.

Once dinner was over, Simone escorted Eileen back to the guesthouse, using the side door as I requested. When Simone finished putting her mother to bed, she returned to the house, bringing the dishes from the dining room table to the sink.

“Sorry about dinner being a little weird,” she started. “This surgery thing with my mom is a little heavier than I think either of us realized. It kind of just hit us all at once.”

“That’s okay. I can only imagine how you two are feeling right now.”

“You never answered my question, by the way.”

“What question?”

“Why are you making us use the side entrance?” She turned the hot water on in the sink. “Did we lose our access privileges to the other doors?”

“Yep. That’s it.” I laughed. “You and your mom have been way too disrespectful toward the other doors in this home. This is the only way you’re ever going to learn your lesson.”

“I knew it!” Simone laughed now, too. “This has been your game plan all along. Have us move in with you so you can get us to play these twisted games!”

“Guilty as charged.” I playfully nudged her in the shoulder. “Seriously, though. It’s a surprise.”

“Ooh, that sounds fun. What’s the surprise?”

“If I tell you, that’s going to ruin the whole thing.”

“Boo!” Simone flicked a few soap bubbles my way before she broke into another laugh. “Fine, then, Harry. Keep your secrets.”

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