Chapter 602
This place was just like the villa in Starfall City. At first, she’d been startled to see the butler, but after a moment, it hardly mattered anymore.
She followed the butler to the dining room, where the table was set with all sorts of dishes, each one looking fresh and delicious.
It was a shame Leonie wasn’t up yet. There was no way she could finish all this alone; what a waste.
Still, Gwyneth did her best to eat. Ever since she’d started living with Hawthorne, she’d visibly put on weight-her waistline had grown, and her clothes, which used to feel loose, now fit snugly, accentuating her fuller figure.
She hadn’t eaten much the night before, and after Hawthorne left, her mood had shifted. She’d slept in, and now, this morning, she woke up ravenous.
She’d barely taken a few bites when Leonie finally came downstairs.
“Oh come on, you started breakfast without me?”
Leonie darted over to the table and, in what felt like seconds, devoured more than half of everything. The butler frowned, but still asked, as politely as ever, if she’d like the kitchen to bring out more of her favorites.
Gwyneth stared in disbelief. You’d never guess from her petite frame, but Leonie could easily eat twice as much as Gwyneth, even at breakfast.
People always said Southern girls were dainty with tiny appetites, but Leonie was clearly the exception.
“Full,” Leonie announced, pushing her plate away.
Gwyneth had thought there was no way they’d finish all the food, but Leonie had wiped the table clean. No wonder Mrs. Everhart always joked that if the family ever ran out of money, they wouldn’t be able to feed these two. Turns out, she wasn’t exaggerating at all.
Gwyneth glanced at the clock. “So, Leonie, you don’t have anything on today?”
She sighed. “Nothing at all. I’ll go with you to your blind date.”
Leonie nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, please!”
Gwyneth looked her up and down. “What time are you meeting him?”
Leonie checked her phone, then jumped to her feet in panic. “Ten o’clock-there’s only ten minutes left!”
Gwyneth grabbed her bag, and together they hurried to the garage and drove straight to their destination.
The place had been picked by the
guy’s family, as relayed through Mrs. Everhart. Leonie and Gwyneth were headed to Greenvale, a charming French bistro with a cozy atmosphere-though the neighboring restaurants
Wrove
promotional event made things feel
a little out of place.
“Hurry, come on!” Leonie urged, rushing them along. According to Mrs. Everhart’s instructions, the guy was already waiting for them in a booth upstairs.
Leonie didn’t even bother to check what he looked like; she just pushed Gwyneth forward.
“Don’t let him know I’m the one he’s meeting,” she whispered urgently.
Gwyneth rolled her eyes, but with Leonie’s puppy-dog expression and the usual “auntie, please,” she surrendered right away.
Across the room, the young man caught sight of them approaching, his eyes lighting up.
Gwyneth was dressed simply, while Leonie wore a touch of makeup—an explicit requirement from Mrs. Everhart, who insisted Leonie couldn’t just show up to a date looking haphazard; that would be disrespectful.
“Excuse me, are you Miss Leonie?” the young man asked, sizing up both girls. Each had her own kind of beauty-one brant one sweet and he honestly couldn’t tell which one was supposed to be his date. Frankly, either would do.
Leonie, sitting behind Gwyneth, gave her a subtle tug on the sleeve. Gwyneth responded with a noncommittal “Mm,” then took the seat across from the young man. Leonie sat down beside her.
By now, he was convinced Gwyneth was “Leonie,” and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Miss Everhart, my name is Ethan Sutherland. My mother mentioned you to me.”
Ethan was chatty and polite. Leonie, sitting to the side, quietly observed his every move. For someone their age Ethan was impressive-handsome, well-mannered, from a good family. But, in Leonie’s circles, there were plenty of eligible bachelors just like him.