AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It certainly is,” I replied, hugging Gabriella next. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see both of you, but what brought on this sudden visit?”
“I told you he’d be suspicious,” Gabriella said with a chuckle, turning to Anne. “We wanted to see your show... and maybe meet your leading lady.”
“I figured as much, especially since both of you were unavailable when I took London home,” I added with a smile. “That’s why I asked London to make our lunch reservations. Do you have any other luggage?”
“Just what we have here,” Anne replied, showing the suitcases she was pulling behind her. “We’ll be flying back on Sunday afternoon.”
“Alright, then let’s go. I offered for you both to stay in the spare room in my suite, but I see you’ve already booked a suite of your own at the same hotel.”
“Having it available on short notice sealed the deal for Gabriella and me. It was like fate,” Anne said with a smile.
“If we believed in fate,” Gabriella added drily.
As we made our way to the hotel, I pointed out the various landmarks of the city and shared personal stories about each place. I was pleased to be showing my sisters around, but I couldn’t ignore the anxiousness that was building within me. The upcoming meeting with London was weighing heavily on my mind, and I didn’t want my nerves to show.
Once we arrived at the hotel, I escorted my sisters to their luxurious suite on the floor below mine. “We have a couple of hours before meeting London,” I said. “Maybe you two would like to rest a little before?”
“I’d love to see the city you’ve talked so much about,” Gabriella replied. “If you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” I replied with a warm smile. “Just give me fifteen minutes to make a few calls, and then we can go explore together.”
I made the calls, and by the time we headed back down to the car, I had arranged for my sisters to join me in my private box for the performance tonight. In the meantime, I had planned a tour of some of the most beautiful and iconic locations in Manhattan.
By the time we arrived at the Royal 35 Steakhouse, my sisters were enamored by the city and the excitement of being in New York. I was as ready as I could be for them to meet London.
She was waiting for us inside, and I noticed a flicker of panic in her eyes before she quickly composed herself.
“You look stunning,” I complimented her as I kissed her cheek. I then turned to my sisters and introduced them. “London, I’d like you to meet Anne and Gabriella. Ladies, this is London McCrae.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Anne greeted London with a polite smile.
“It’s great to meet you too,” Gabriella echoed.
“The pleasure is mine,” London replied, shooting me a quick glance.
“Your table is ready,” the hostess informed us.
“Perfect timing,” I said with a grin.
Our table was much grander than the one London and I had shared on our first date, and I was relieved that the atmosphere was more sophisticated. My sisters didn’t have London’s relaxed and easy-going nature, and here, in this setting, they would be comfortable.
We talked and ordered and talked some more, with Anne taking the lead and directing the conversation by asking too many questions, all of them directed at London. I was worried for a bit that the third degree would freak London out, but she handled each question gracefully, even sending a few back to my sisters, who were less forthcoming. Overall, I thought things were going well.
“If you’ll excuse me,” London said, pushing back from the table. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
As she left, I turned my attention to my sisters, who were now watching me with careful expressions.
“She’s brilliant, isn’t she?” I asked with a smile. But my smile faded as I noticed my sisters exchanging glances. “What?”
“She’s lovely,” Anne said. “And I like her.”
“I like her too,” Gabriella said.
“Then what’s with the look?” I asked, motioning between them.
“You know our parents won’t let this get serious,” Anne said frankly.
“They won’t approve of anyone our grandmother doesn’t set me up with,” I pointed out. “And they know I will not marry someone random she picks for me.”
