Our way to Forever (Completed)

Chapter 27

Nate

It's been 2 weeks since our first date. I've been super busy with work and planning for the Rayha resort and spa's 50th anniversary celebration.

My grandpa is excited. He loves that people enjoy the resorts he has created. He was even more excited to meet Jenna. He was upset that he had to hear about my new girlfriend from the Emmery hills gossip mill and not me. So he demanded I bring her to meet him as soon as possible.

The three of us are meeting for lunch today at Gianna's. I know Jenna is excited but she's also a little worried after how my mom treated her. Fortunately we haven't had any other interactions with my mother or any other incidents that call for window repairs. I know my grandpa won't be a problem though. He may have been a cutthroat business man but he's a teddy bear when it comes to family.

I head home to pick Jenna up for lunch. I find her pacing in the kitchen with her phone pressed to her ear. She has a worried look on her face and she's biting on her nail.

"Oh! He's here I gotta go. Bye."

"Everything okay?" I wrap an arm around her and pull her toward me.

"Yeah I was just talking to Cassie. Is it too late to back out of this lunch?"

"Yes and you need to relax. I promise my grandfather is nothing like my mother. Now come on."

When we get to Gianna's I'm not surprised to find my grandpa is already there. We give each other a back pounding hug and then I introduce him to Jenna.

"Gramps this is my girlfriend Jenna Matthews. Babe this is my grandfather Raymond Parker."

"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Parker."

"Please call me Ray." he says kissing her cheek. I shoot him a look and he just smiles. We take our seats and grandpa continues. "Or you could call me grandpa too. He wouldn't have brought you to meet me if things weren't serious between you two."

Jenna looks at me and I look at grandpa. "You're the one that complain that I didn't tell you about her remember?"

"Yes but if this was just another "hook up" as you kids say, you would have made up an excuse to not bring her." He says using air quotes on hook up. Then the waiter shows up to take our orders.

After ordering our food and drinks grandpa looks to Jenna. "So Jenna tell me about yourself." Throughout lunch Gramps dominates the conversation asking question after question. He also regales her stories about me as a kid. After a while Jenna relaxes and really seems to be enjoying grandpa's company.

"Now Jenna my son told me that you made some very delicious cupcakes when you visited them. I must say I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get any."

"Oh Ray, I'm sorry I was so anxious about meeting you. I didn't even think about baking you anything. I promise I'll make you something and have Nate bring it to you."

"I'd prefer if you would bring it. I'd rather see your lovely face than his ugly mug." he says hooking his thumb in my direction. I feign offense and Jenna giggles and kisses my cheek.

Grandpa smile then asks, "Why you were anxious about meeting me though?"

Jenna looks at me then back to him. She clears her throat. "Uh-my... *ahem*... Nate's parents hated me."

"Nonsense. Drew told me he thought you seemed like a sweet young lady and I'm inclined to agree."

"Dad was not the problem." I say, finally butting in. I take Jenna's hand and look at her. "Forget about my mom. She was just trying to intimidate you."

"What did she do?" Grandpa asks.

"She... She basically called me a gold digging whore." Jenna says with a self depreciating smile.

"That's a a load of phooey!" Before grandpa can continue another voice cuts in.

"Mr. Parker! So good to see you again." We look up to see Alastair Barret standing beside our table.

"Alastair, nice to see you boy. How's your grandfather?"

"He is good sir. I'll be sure to tell him I bumped into you. Nathaniel, it's been a while." He says holding his hand out to me.

"Alastair." I nod and shake his hand.

"And who is this divine creature?" He asks raking his eyes over Jenna and extending his hand to her.

"This is my girlfriend Jenna. Sweetheart this is Alastair Barret. Our grandparents are old friends."

"Hello." She say with a shy smile and offers her hand.

"Hello there." Alastair says and kisses her hand. She tries to pull away but he has a firm hold as he caresses her skin with his thumb. I pull her hand away from him and place it in my lap.

Alastair laughs. "I had heard the rumors but I thought that's all they were, rumors. Congratulations, I'm sure you're a very lucky man." His tone dripping with suggestion.

"I am." I spit out through clenched teeth.

He chuckles. "Well then, I'll let you get back to your lunch. It was wonderful to see you again. And it was very lovely to meet you Jenna." He says with a leer in her direction. And then he's gone, weaving his way through tables to get to the exit.

"I hate that little twerp. Every time I see him I want to deck him." I mutter.

"He seems really sleezey. And I thought our landlord was bad. It felt like he could see through my clothes." Jenna says with a shudder.

"Don't worry I'll help you forget all about him when we get home." I tell her with a teasing grin.

"Nate!" She scolds as she turns bright red, shooting a glance at grandpa.

Gramps just laughs and so do I. Jenna buries her face in my chest to hide her embarrassment. Soon even she can't help but join in our laughter.

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What do you think of Nate's grandpa?  Is Alastair suspect or just creepy?
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Thanks
Gabbi💋