Chapter 430
After wrapping up her chat on Messenger, Jenna reached for another test paper from the stack on her desk. She had barely filled in a few blanks when something struck her. She scampered down the stairs, her feet pounding a rapid beat against the wooden steps.
Kayla was outside, tending to her rose bushes, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her face. She jumped a little as her daughter bolted towards her.
“Mom, how old is my cousin again?” Jenna fixed her sparkling eyes on Kayla, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Kayla paused, a tad thrown off by the sudden question. “Which cousin, honey? We have a whole clan of them.”
“Dylan, Mom.”
“Let’s see, he’s either 24 or 25, I think. I can’t quite remember.” Kayla set down her watering can, curiosity piqued. “Why the sudden interest in Dylan?”
“Twenty–four or five, huh…” Jenna muttered under her breath, seemingly content that he wasn’t too old after all. Then she popped another question, “Does he have a girlfriend?”
“Not that I know of.” Kayla shook her head, her watering can forgotten. “Jenna, what’s all this about? Why are you asking?”
Jenna offered a sheepish grin. “Oh, no reason.” She paused for a moment, her eyes darting as if chasing a thought before asking, “What do you think about Mira?”
“You mean Mirabella?” Kayla’s face softened as she thought of Mirabella. “She’s lovely, smart as a whip, and has a heart of gold. A real catch, that one.”
After her moment of reflection, Kayla’s gaze returned to Jenna, her expression now laced with exasperation. “Speaking of, have you finished that box of test papers Mirabella gave you? You know, if you don’t keep up with your studies, you’re no help to me around here.”
Jenna was dumbfounded. “Excuse me?”
‘Am I even her real daughter?”
Meanwhile, Zach had driven to the address Delilah had given him for the blind date. He parked his car with precision and was just about to push open the door when he noticed Mirabella, his sister, hadn’t made a move.
“Mira, we’re here,” he called out.
Mirabella looked up at him and said, “You go ahead, Zach. I’ll wait here for your triumphant return.”
Zach frowned. “What happened to being cautious and having my back?”
She batted her eyelashes Innocently and glanced at her watch. “You know, being late for blind dates can leave a bad impression, Zach.”
He shot her a glare. “If I don’t find the one, it’s half your fault. Get out of the car now. If you don’t come with me, I’m not going.”
Seeing her brother resort to such tactics, Mirabella sighed, unbuckled her seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. Zach couldn’t help but smirk behind his glasses.
Together, they walked toward the entrance of the neighborhood park. Admission was five bucks a head. After buying their tickets, they followed the path into the park. This community haven had been around for years, a dedicated space for local residents to mingle and unwind. It was well–equipped and often hosted community events–its only flaw being that it looked a bit dated.
Mirabella surveyed the park and then glanced at
ach, dressed to the nines like the businessman he was, standing out against the backdrop of their modest rendezvous spot. With a sly smile, she teased, “I have a feeling that your blind dates might not go so well today.”
Zach gave her a sideways look. “I have to disagree. I mean, look at me–I’m handsome and a hotshot in the business world. I’m the dream guy for countless women.”
It wasn’t about being picked but about him doing the picking. If things didn’t work out, it would simply be because he hadn’t found someone up to his standards.
