“How was dinner?” Hattie asked, seemingly unbothered by being caught in an entanglement. There was no way in the world, Xavier thought, this was simply two friends hanging out. Unlike their grandmother, Jacques at least looked sheepish. He wasn’t making eye contact with anyone.
“It was nice,” Landon said, peeking at Hattie through his fingers. “Good food. Good conversation. It’s all good,” he said, rambling.
“Well, good night, everyone,” Jacques said, heading quickly toward the staircase. He still couldn’t seem to look them in the eye, which made Xavier feel bad for the guy.
A chorus of good nights rang out. An awkward silence settled over them once Jacques took off. Should they just pretend not to have noticed they were involved? Or would that make things more awkward?
“So… you and Jacques?” Xavier asked, uttering the first thing that came to his mind.
“Jacques is my paramour,” Hattie proudly announced.
“Paramore?” Landon asked with a frown. “The only Paramore I know is the rock band.”
Xavier ran a hand over his face. “She meanslover.”
Landon let out a shocked gasp. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no!”
“Stop being a drama queen,” Caleb hissed. “They’re consenting adults.”
“We have a very mature and satisfying relationship,” Hattie said, her lips curving into a satisfied smile.
Xavier covered his ears and began chanting, “La la la la. Don’t want to hear any of the details. Not a single one.”
Caleb was openmouthed. He made sputtering noises. He slapped his palm over his eyes. “I cannot unsee this. It will forever be burned into my eyeballs.”
“Now who’s the drama queen?” Landon hissed.
Hattie waved her hands at them. “Oh, grow up, boys. How many times must I tell you? I’m dying, but I’m living every day to the fullest.”
“So you’ve said,” Xavier responded. “And we think that’s wonderful. Honestly, we were just surprised seeing you—”
Hattie winked at him. “In a compromising position?” She let out a throaty laugh. “Maybe I should have been more discreet, but honestly, I didn’t think anyone else was at home. Furthermore, I’m not ashamed of our relationship. In the end, love is what matters most.”
Hattie loved Jacques. It was obvious in the way she’d looked at him and the passion ringing out in her voice. Xavier was blown away. Despite everything she was going through, Hattie was still finding time for love.
“Jacques seems like a good dude,” Xavier said. “We like him a lot.”
“And he better treat you right, or he’ll have to answer to us,” Caleb said in his fiercest voice.
Xavier almost laughed out loud. Caleb was as tough as the Cowardly Lion inThe Wizard of Oz. He was more about looks than right hooks. Xavier couldn’t ever remember Caleb putting his fists up in his entire life.
“That’s for sure,” Landon added. “We’ll be watching Jacques,” he said, gesturing toward his eyes with his fingers.
“Oh, goodness gracious,” Hattie said. “I appreciate thatthe three of you have my back, but everything is splendid. Jacques is a wonderful man.”
“They’re just teasing. Aren’t you?” Xavier asked, sharing a pointed look with his brothers. This really wasn’t any of their business. Hattie was a grown woman who was fully capable of making her own choices.
“Of course we were,” Caleb conceded. “Jacques is the salt of the earth.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I’m glad we’re on the same page. Good night, boys,” a beaming Hattie said, blowing a kiss in their direction.
They serenaded her with a chorus of good nights, heading toward their bedrooms after she walked in the opposite direction toward her own.
“Sometimes Granny scares me,” Landon whispered.
Xavier turned toward him and asked, “Only sometimes?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
