"You think so? I'm a little nervous that..."
"I know so," he says. "Trust me, she would love nothing more than for Sabrina to be your wife. She already tried to hook me and Sabrina up a couple of years ago."
"What, she did? I didn't know that."
"I mean, it wasn't a big thing. She asked me if I had any interest in Sabrina. I was like, 'She's cute, but not really.' And she was like, 'Oh, I would really love her to be my sister-in-law.' And I said to her, 'Why don't you ask Wes?' And she was like, 'Well, Wes is older, and he's a grump...' Well, anyway, I guess she went to the wrong brother. Who knew you were waiting in the wings?"
"Well, supposedly you did," I say. "Didn't you say that you could tell I was in to her?”
“I mean, I just assumed you thought she was cute. I didn't know you were in love with her and wanted to marry her."
"Let's not get carried away."
"So you don't want to marry her? You're just trying to find her father for shit and giggles?" He pauses. "Hold on a second. That blue Tiffany box that you had the other day…"
"What about it?"
"That wasn’t for her, right? I mean, no, it couldn't have been because we hadn't even gone to the dinner yet. Oh my gosh, you're not buying the lady jewelry. You don't have a wedding ring picked out for her already, do you?"
"It would be an engagement ring." I stare at him and laugh as he looks suddenly nervous. "And no, I'm not crazy. I haven'tbought her an engagement ring. I haven't bought her jewelry like that. Yes, the Tiffany's box was for her, but it was just a bracelet because she had once said it was her dream to get one of those bracelets with the little key in the lock. And anyway, what does it matter?"
My phone starts ringing again. "Oh my gosh. I am so over this."
"Answer it. Maybe if you're a jerk to them, they'll start spreading the word."
"Hello?" I say into the phone.
"Oh, darling, I've been trying to call you. Are you mad at me?"
"Grandma? Is that you?"
"Of course, it's me. Who else would it be? I've been calling you and calling you and..."
"I'm sorry, Grandma. I’ve been busy, and my phone has actually been inundated and..."
"Well, I know. That's why I'm calling. Several of my friends told me that you're looking for a wife, and I told them I had no idea. If I did, of course, I would've recommended their granddaughters to you. Now, I need you to go on a date with Estella's granddaughter, and I need you to go on a date with Jasmine's granddaughter, and I need you to go on a date with Edith's daughter. Yes, she's a little older and not your type, but Edith would be so dreadfully upset if you did not."
"Oh my gosh, Grandma."
"Yes, darling?"
"I didn't put the ad up. It's not real. I'm not looking for a wife. Someone pulled a prank on me and..."
"A prank? What do you mean by a prank? It was in the newspaper, darling."
"Yes, it was in the newspaper, but..." I let out a long sigh. "It's not true, Grandma. Do you really think I'd put out a newspaper saying grumpy billionaire seeking wife? Really?"
"Well, I did think the word choice was slightly unusual for you, but, oh dear. What am I supposed to tell my friends? What am I supposed to tell Edith? Her daughter is waiting by the phone to see when her date is going to be."
"Grandma, I'm not interested in going on any dates. I am kind of seeing someone right now."
"What? You didn't tell me. Who? Who? Oh my gosh. You're seeing someone. How did I not know?"
"Grandma, relax.” I was about to say it's not serious, but I suddenly remembered that it is going to be serious pretty soon. At least that's what Sabrina and I were going to tell everyone. “Well, Grandma, I can't actually speak right now. Miles and I are headed into a meeting, but let's chat later. Maybe I can take you out for dinner later this week."
"Oh, if you think you have time." She giggles. "Imagine if someone thinks I'm one of the women chosen for a date. I'll have to tell them I'm his grandmother. Of course, he takes me out all the time."
I groan. "Grandma, please don't tell anyone anything, okay? I don't want this getting any more press than it already has." In my mind, I'm thinking I don't want it getting any more press than anything other than what I curate. I look over at Miles, and he's chuckling. I just roll my eyes at him.