Grace saw the glimmer in Charles’ eyes, but when it dimmed, she couldn’t help but prod him in the head. “Why are you always so caught up with your own thoughts? You’re too cowardly, and that’s why you missed Sonia.”

“It’s not my fault,” Charles grumbled plaintively.

 

She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, so whose fault is it then? If you had just been bold enough to pursue Sonia romantically, then the both of you might have ended up together from the get-go.”

“It’s not as simple as you think,” he countered, lowering his eyes as he let out a bitter chuckle. “Not every girl could take their guy best friend as a boyfriend, you know.”

“Okay, so how would you know she won’t be able to take it if you never asked in the first place?” Grace pursed her lips in displeasure.

Charles gulped, unsure if he had the answer to his mother’s question.

 

With an impatient and dismissive wave of her hand, Grace barked, “Very well. Get out of the kitchen. You’re only going to get in my way if you stay here.”

His eyes widened. “You were the one who asked me to come in here, remember?” he argued exasperatedly, only to be ignored and pushed out of the kitchen.

 

“That kid’s hopeless, and it doesn’t help that he’s afraid of everything. If only he could just man up a little!” She shook her head in frustration. “Looks like I’m going to have to take things into my own hands instead. It’s time to set my son up with the girl of his dreams!” Having thought of this, she pulled out her phone and called a number. “Hi, Alaric. Didn’t you say you have an equestrian facility?”

“That’s right. What about it?” A middle-aged man’s bright and cheery voice spoke up on the other line.

Grace beamed. “Do you think I could have it for the weekend? I only need it for two days, and it’s crucial because I’m trying to set my son up with my future daughter-in-law.”

She had plans to trick Sonia and Charles into going horseback riding together, and she would create little nerve-wracking moments for them along the way.

into fireworks by the time they

Grace’s bubble burst when Alaric explained apologetically, “I’m afraid that’s not

when she heard this. Disgruntled, she thought grimly, Which insolent fool has beaten me to it? “How many of them are there?”

“Just two. It seems

crowd at all.” Her eyes lit up with a brilliant idea. “Do you think you could squeeze two more in for the weekend? Maybe you could talk to your current

little uneasy at

her hip and said darkly, “Have you forgotten how I’ve helped you out in the

was only upon hearing this that Alaric broke into a breezy smile. Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I

the right attitude to have.” Appeased, Grace hung up the phone and beckoned Charles and Sonia

She sprawled on the couch in a daze as she remarked, “Your culinary skills are as impressive as

at the compliment, and her eyes turned into crescents. “If you think my culinary skills are great, then you ought to drop by with Charles more

“Your offer is too good

I love cooking, and Charles and Curtis are almost never at home. There isn’t a

one who always goes out shopping and traveling. You can’t seriously blame Dad and me when you barely have time to

conversation, you punk. I’d hit you if I could,” Grace warned through gritted teeth, clenching her fist

hand and leaped away from her,

as he did so, he sang mischievously,

the other hand, burst into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles and

sky darkened. Sonia glanced at the time, and when she saw that it was nearly

her to stay the night, but she turned it

urged as

grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and said, “Come on,

response, then waved at Grace jovially. “Goodbye, Mrs.

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

Charles as they walked out of the

they pulled up outside Bayside Residence an hour later, Sonia unfastened her

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

and rounded the car,

all about it, and the room

twitched when he read the

he rolled down the car window, and when he saw that Sonia was about to go into the lobby, he tightened

tracks and turned around.

nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how nervous he was. “My mom just texted and said we

what he had said, given how softly he

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