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“I understand that,” Mercedes said with a nod. “And I truly believe you’ll have that connection with this guy.”
I raised an eyebrow skeptically.
“Just one date,” Mercedes begged, grabbing my arm and leaning in. “Please let me set it up.”
I sighed. “You will not let up until I agree, will you?”
“Nope,” she grinned.
“Fine, you win,” I said, giving in to Mercedes’ pleading. “But just one date, and if he’s not the one, that’s it. No more dates.”
Mercedes let out a triumphant whoop and broke into a celebratory jig, causing a crowd of Black Friday shoppers to stop and stare in amazement.
“Just be prepared,” Gin warned with a chuckle. “If this guy turns out to be a catch, Mercedes will never let you live it down.”
I wasn’t worried.
“Come on,” Rocio said, taking Mercedes’ hand. “We’ve got sixteen more stores to hit before we call it a day.”
“Sixteen?!” Gin exclaimed in shock. “I didn’t sign up for that!”
Rocio grinned mischievously. “We never set a limit for the day.”
“We should have,” Gin grumbled, but her tone was playful.
“Maybe you and I can slip away for some hot chocolate while Mercedes and Rocio take on a few stores on their own,” I suggested, winking at Gin.
“Hot chocolate and Christmas cookies?” Gin’s face lit up with excitement. “Now you’re talking.”
As we walked down the crowded sidewalk, the conversation shifted from my love life to our shopping plan, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d go on the date, and who knows, maybe I’d find someone I’d like. Not for a relationship, but maybe for some hot, sweaty fun.
What was the worst that could happen?
FOUR
SPENCER
Mandatory family dinnerswere a staple of my upbringing as a member of the York family. Although they were not a weekly occurrence, attendance was expected when a dinner invitation was extended. As my sisters and I grew up and moved out of the family home, the tradition continued, though less often.
Tonight marked the first family dinner in three months, and everyone was in attendance, including my grandmother, Opal Johnston York Masters. She always emphasized her connections to powerful families by introducing herself with all three of her surnames. At seventy-nine, she stood tall at nearly six feet and was slender, yet strong. She could easily outpace people half her age.
Upon entering, she immediately focused on my father and remarked, “I see you’ve been cheating on your diet again, Raynard. Perhaps I should have a word with your cook.”
I noticed my eldest sister, Fleur, tense up at grandmother’s words, and I understood her discomfort. After the birth of her third child, Fleur had struggled to regain her pre-pregnancy figure, and grandmother’s cold, blue gaze missed no opportunity to point out any extra pounds she saw on any of us. She had had five children herself and had always returned to her regular clothing within a couple of weeks.
“Are you without your husband this evening?” Grandmother questioned Fleur, her gaze flicking down to Harrison and Matthew, who stood in front of their mother, unnaturally still for ten- and seven-year-old boys.
“Parker is taking Jane to the bathroom,” Fleur replied with a forced smile. “They’ll be right down.”
Grandmother sniffed and moved down the line to my twin sister, Anne.
“You cut your hair again,” Grandmother remarked. “If it were any shorter, you could be mistaken for your brother.” Her ability to express her displeasure with both of us with a single comment impressed me.
“It’s easier to take care of it this way, Grandmother,” Anne replied with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her dark blue eyes. “My work keeps me pretty busy.”
Grandmother’s face contorted into a scowl, making her dissatisfaction clear. “All that social media silliness is interfering with your ability to fulfill your duties to the family.” Grandmother raised an eyebrow. “I take it you haven’t found a suitable man to settle down with yet.”
Anne’s smile stiffened. “No, Grandmother. I haven’t had the time for dating.”
