Page 36 of An Overdue Match
“Out with it.”
“What if we find the love letters that they wrote to each other and incorporate those in some way?”
Penelope doesn’t respond immediately, and I hold my breath. I really do think it would be special for Granny and Grampie to revisit the written words that ignited their love in the first place. It’s personal and special and celebrates them in a non-generic way.
The fact that the letters may be useful in my own matchmaking is icing on the cake. And what’s cake without icing?
“What would that look like? Lay it out for me.”
“Well...” I draw the word out, scrambling to come up with some specific ideas. “First off, we can commission a wax seal to be made with their monogram and then seal the invitations like the aristocracy used to, a nod to when letter writing was the main avenue of communication. To continue with the love letter theme, we can have Granny’s antique desk set out as a note station. Guests can use the desk to write personal messages to Granny and Grampie, expressing their well wishes and felicitations.”
“In lieu of a guestbook.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, I like that idea.”
I smile, gathering steam. “For decorations, along with flowers and candles and such, maybe we can make or commission a custom backdrop with one of Grampie’s letters written incalligraphy on a large piece of fabric. We could hang it either behind the cake table or behind where Grampie and Granny will sit.”
Penelope is quiet as she seems to digest my suggestion. “It’s a good idea, Evangeline. Let’s do it.”
“Great!”
“Do you think you can be responsible for the backdrop and the wax seal? Actually, can you just take care of the decorations and sending the invitations out? I’ll help you with the guest list, of course, and I’ll find a caterer and uncover where Granny keeps the letters stored without her knowing.”
“I can do that.”
“Thanks. I also wanted to ask...”
The I’m-stepping-on-eggshells quality to her voice instantly puts me on guard. “What?”
“Well, it’s just that I was wondering...”
“Spit it out, Penelope.”
“Fine.” She blows out a breath. “I was just wondering if you’ve reconsidered telling Grampie and Granny how much of a jerk Brett was to you.”
Not this again. “You know my stance on the subject.”
“Fine. If you are choosing to continue to be a martyr, then I was wondering if maybe you should bring a date to the party.”
My head rears back. I wasn’t expecting that. “A date? Why? You know I’m not dating anyone right now.” Or anytime in the near future.
This bargain with Tai doesn’t count.
“A friend. I should have said a friend. But ... a guy friend?”
“Again, why?”
“Well, Brett will be there, and I thought you might want some ... you know ... backup or emotional support or something.” She rushes on. “Obviously I’ll have your back, Evangeline, but I’ll also be busy with the other guests and making sure everything runs smoothly. I don’t like the thought of youhaving to face Brett alone because I’m occupied with something else, so I just thought...” She trails off.
A date. To my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. Celebrating their lifelong love where my ex-fiancé, the man who broke my heart and shattered my self-esteem, will be. A mental image of Tai materializes in my mind. Followed by one of his fists smashing through Brett’s weak jaw.
I smile despite myself, then wipe the expression off my face. My mind should not automatically jump to Tai when the worddateis bandied about, even if it is to fantasize about him punching Brett.
My lips begin to curve upward again.
Nope. Nuh-uh.
