Though it came out phrased as a question, Naomi understood exactly what he meant.
He wants me to meet the man I'm technically engaged to, tonight, in person.
"I understand."
She couldn't quite bring herself to say no.
She knew the old man's intentions were genuinely good he just wanted to see her settled somewhere solid.
And realistically, an arrangement between two families like this wasn't something she could simply wave off unilaterally.
Shame she'd long since stopped believing in whatever people meant when they said "love."
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Grandpa's not actually trying to force anything here." The old man's voice gentled. "Just take a look at him from across the room tonight. If nothing's there, we drop it completely. Sound fair?"
Something in Naomi's expression eased
