Grandma had been toying with the idea of setting up her grandson with some blind dates. The young folks these days were so buried in their careers, they hardly had a chance for such social mixers.
She figured a few introductions could deepen impressions, and who knows, sparks might fly with the right person, right?
But todayâs fiasco had her sending out cancellation notices left and right. It would be downright rude to carry on now-like a slap in the face to the other families.
Her grandson Nolan already had someone special, or so the rumors went. So what was the point in matchmaking?
Nolan, never one to do anything by halves, vaulted over the back of the couch with a gymnastâs grace..
âGrandma, Grandpa, ask away. Iâm an open book!â he declared with a sweeping gesture.
Grandma spun around to face him, her curiosity piqued. âTell your granny, do you have a sweetheart or not?â
Nolan shook his head earnestly, âNope, no sweetheart. That was just a friend who got snapped by the paparazzi. Itâs all a big misunderstanding.â
âBut... donât you have even a tiny crush on that girl?â Grandma pressed on, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. âWhy defend her like that if thereâs nothing between you?â
Nolan frowned slightly, âSheâs my friend. Itâs only natural Iâd look out for her, isnât it?â
Grandpa chimed in from the sidelines, âExactly, thatâs just being a gentleman.â
Grandma shot Grandpa a look that could curdle milk. âIâm talking to my grandson. Donât butt in.â
âI've seen those gossip magazines spinning tales about how you two met and fell in love. Are you saying itâs all made up?â
Both elders were clueless about how far those gossip rags would go to cook up a story.
Amid the mix of truth and fiction, Nolan knew all too well that Dahliaâs team had a hand in this. How else would outsiders get wind of their private affairs?
âIt's not entirely false, but as of now, Dahlia and | are just plain friends. Donât worry about it, Granny. If | wanted to date, thereâs no shortage of potential girlfriends!â.
Nolan began kneading his grandmotherâs shoulders with a practiced touch.
â| know, | know,â she sighed, âbut D when someoneâs h ad over teéls\for theircot arhtake fe) do? It falls to me, an old lady, to give a little nudge, right?â
Grandpa let out a weary sigh. âDon't take it lightly, Nolan. We're not getting any younger. How many good do you think We have font we've Ne had to worry about you, but all we want is to see you settled and happy. We may be anxious, but we're not about to force you to bring home a bride tomorrow. These things depend on fate, after all.â
The elderly couple appeared resigned to their advancing years, but Nolan grew silent. They were old, and no matter how healthy, they wouldnât be around forever.
An urgency began to take hold of him; he didnât want them to worry endlessly.
If there was someone suitable out there, he wouldn't mind getting married first, aekeacn peace aking EGenlif he wasn't eager for romance, easing his grandparentsâ
concerns was his priority. With that thought, Nolan resolved to find himself a âgirlfriendâ in the coming days.