“Wesley?” Granny Joyce called from behind us.
I jerked away from him, balling up my used napkin and stuffing it into the small trashcan next to my chair.
A few seconds later, she strolled over to us, a wide smile on her face. “Hi, Albany.”
Standing, I gave her a hug. “Hi.”
The best part of this event was seeing her so relaxed. Instead of a suit, she wore a coral sleeveless jumpsuit. She’d paired the outfit with open-toed sandals and big shades. Her curls were wild. I loved seeing her happy.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked me.
I sat back down. “I am.”
“Great.” She glanced at Wes. “Do you have a sec? I want to introduce you to someone.”
He looked at me, but I encouraged him to go with her. It would allow me time to get myself together for the discussion I knew we had to have. Also, it would give me a chance to weave through the crowds, eavesdrop on a few conversations. After all, I was still on duty.
Once they were out of earshot, I ventured over toward a group of ladies standing by the rose garden. I pretended to fiddle with my phone, but I was close enough to hear them.
“Olivia always puts on a great party,” one lady said. “That chicken was divine.”
Yes, it was.
“I love that she’s happy with Ace,” another woman said. “He’s perfect for her.”
“Perfect and fine,” someone muttered. “I wish I’d met him first.”
They laughed.
“Did you see your grandson talking to my granddaughter, Mavis?”
“I knew they’d hit it off.”
As the women continued their conversation, the pieces started to click together. It appeared that the poker club was in the matchmaking business. All of them seemed to be on a mission to marry their grandkids off. Which made sense. According to Erica, Granny Joyce had given them an ultimatum to get married.
Scanning the backyard, I spotted Wes with Granny Joyce as she led him over to a group of women my age. She introduced him to one of them. Then, my blood ran cold.
Is she trying to hook him up with one of those heffas?
I closed my eyes as my mind conjured up different scenarios.
Wes trying to please Granny by dating that woman.
Wes falling in love at first sight with that woman.
Wes kissing that woman.
Wes …
“I just wish Joyce would go ahead and make her move,” one of the older ladies said, capturing my attention again. “She’s pulling all the strings in the background. I’m ready to shift our focus to other news.”
“It’ll be over soon enough, Margie.”
“I hope so. Shirley told me she met Liv’s granddaughter.”
My ears perked up.What the hell is going on here?
A new voice chimed in. “She’s a stunner. Saw her with Wesley a few minutes ago. They seemed remarkably close.”
