Chapter 32: The Rumor Mill
Gareth didn’t reply to Delilah. He turned to his mother and narrowed his eyes at her.
“Why did you invite her?” he demanded, past the point of caring that Delilah was in the room to hear his question. “You said this was a family dinner.”
The implication that Delilah was not family did not go unnoticed. Meredith crossed her arms and furrowed her brow at her son’s rudeness.
Mother and son stared at each other in a silent standoff. Gareth towered over his mother, but Meredith’s glare was just as impressive as her son’s height.
“This is my house, and I’m the one who arranged this dinner. I can invite whomever I damn well please.” Meredith raised her chin. “Now, let’s eat all this food I prepared before it gets cold.” Her tone left no room for arguments. “Delilah, Gareth, there are two free spots across from Elliot and Isabella. Why don’t you sit there?”
Gareth angrily shook his head. Instead of sitting in the chair his mother had suggested, he sat beside Michelle, who was placed at the very corner as an afterthought. Michelle had been given a regular plate with a small chip on the side, while everyone else had Meredith’s fine china in front of them.
But Delilah wasn’t about to give up that easily. After an encouraging look from Meredith, she rushed around the table to steal the seat that Gareth’s Beta was just about to take.
“What is this? Musical chairs?” Gareth muttered.
Delilah let out a high-pitched, obnoxious laugh. “You are so funny.” She wanted to swat his arm playfully, but Gareth shifted away.
Once everyone was seated, there wasn’t much talk as steaming dishes were passed around, and plates were filled up.
“Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, Isabella,” Meredith said as she accepted a plate of buttered rolls from her granddaughter. “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that you chose a good man like Elliot to spend your life with.”