Chapter 45: Three People Leave the Table
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. The way we met was a bit unexpected, but I’d say it’s still a pretty good start, don’t you think?”
Leon greeted the two women with a smile, then politely shook hands with each of them. Well, it wasn’t like he was taking advantage—after all, they were the ones who reached out first.
Haley puffed up her cheeks and glared at Leon—not because he had shown up at this ladies’ night dinner, but because of the polite smile and friendly manner he displayed when meeting Maru and Leah for the first time.
Haley still remembered the first time she met Leon—how half-hearted and perfunctory he had been. Now look at him, warmly greeting others like an old friend. The difference was like night and day.
Of course, she had completely forgotten that their first meeting had been when she’d mistaken him for a thief at the old Community Center. That misunderstanding might have been the main reason for his cold attitude back then.
Once the introductions were over, Jodi came over, pressed Leon down into a seat on the emptier side, and sat beside him with a teasing smile.
“I didn’t expect you’d already met Haley and Abigail. Add Emily to that, and you’ve already met most of the outstanding young women in Stardew Valley. And here I thought you weren’t much of a social type, so I went to the trouble of setting up this dinner to help expand your circle.”
“So you really were trying to set me up.” Leon gave a wry smile. He’d thought Jodi was joking before, but it seemed she was dead serious.
“Not exactly. I just thought you should get to know some people your age. If Sam and the boys weren’t busy with band practice tonight, I’d have invited them too. Guess it’ll have to wait till next time.” Jodi chuckled.