Great Aunt Cathy swept inside, immaculate and purposeful, her gaze locking onto me with immediate surprise then satisfaction. “Caleb! I’m so glad you’re here.”
She took in the scene in a single glance, the space between Kitty and me, the tension hanging in the air. Her smile sharpened. “I see you’ve made a decision.”
“I made a decision already. That hasn’t changed,” I replied.
“I knew you would come around. Anne will be relieved.” It was obvious Cathy had ignored my response.
“No. I’m dating Kitty,” I firmly told her, putting my arm around Kitty.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Cathy’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of pure affront. “Excuse me?”
“I’m dating Kitty. That’s not changing,” I repeated.
Glenna smiled. “She’s perfect for him. Don’t you like her?”
Cathy rounded on her. “This has nothing to do with you. I don’t even know you. Keep your unwanted opinion to yourself.”
“Oh, it has everything to do with me,” Glenna shot back. “I’ve been looking after him for years.”
“Then maybe you can talk some sense into him,” Cathy growled. She turned to glare at me. “You’e leaving an opportunity to keep your shop open by simply dating my granddaughter.”
“Keep your shop open?” Kitty glanced at me, an eyebrow raised. “I think we need to talk about this.”
I nodded and followed her down the hallway and away from the two arguing women. “You’re great aunt came into my storetoday. She knows that the shop isn’t doing well and offered to pay me to date Anne.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “You’re kidding.”
“She also said that if I should marry Anne, she would settle enough cash on us that we wouldn’t have to worry about money,” I dryly said.
“Are you sure you don’t want to marry Anne?” Kitty blinked then put a hand over her mouth. “Please don’t. I know I’m flat broke with student loan debt but at least I like you.”
I laughed. The sound surprised me but the day had been entirely absurd. I smiled at Kitty. “I might not be in debt but I have a zero balance in my checking account.”
“Then we’re perfect together,” Kitty mentioned with a grin.
Behind us, voices rose as Cathy and Glenna argued, each convinced she knew what was best for me.
Kitty checked her watch. “I need to be in town for the vendor market setup.”
“I’ll drive,” I offered.
She smiled, warm and sure. “I would like that.”
As we headed for the lobby together, I took hold of her hand. Cathy and Glenna continued to bicker while a bemused William watched them.
“What is going on here? Do you know what this is about, Kitty?” he questioned.
“Glenna needs to be escorted to get her things, be refunded, and escorted from the property. She’s not welcome here. Great Aunt Cathy has taken tremendous dislike to her,” Kitty mentioned.
“That’s not the reason. I will call my lawyer to get the restraining order reinstated,” I explained.
“Ah. I see,” William murmured with a nod. I wasn’t sure he fully understood but he moved forward. “Glenna? I assume. I’mhere to make sure you get your things and return our room key. Let’s go now.”
“Oh! Do we have to?” she questioned.
“Do you want my help?” I offered to William.
