The Difference

Chapter 10

Brunch begins and Mrs. Marigold makes her way to the head of the table. I raise my glass of what I think is orange juice as she leads us in a toast to being just 3 weeks away from her ball. I do the math in my head and stop when I realize Christmas is in less than a week. I sigh and hear the last of the toast before we all begin to clink glasses. I take a sip and realize we are being served mimosas. I smile and cheers with Troy one last time before giving up on day drinking.

"Everything okay?" Troy asks me.

"I quit my job today," I tell him.

Brad chimes in from across the table, "Oh, hey, you two. Fancy meeting you here!" He says jokingly. Ava and I share a look over his sense of humor.

"Hi Brad," I say, giving a smile.

"Hello, brother," Troy answers.

Ava averts Brad's attention to something else as Troy and I continue our conversation.

"That's great news! I mean, right?" He asks.

I smile. "Yeah. It's been a long time coming, but I'm happy I got out of there. I didn't get along with my manager at all. He expected so much of me but no one else." I say, honestly.

"Well, I guess that means I'll be seeing more of you around the mansion, then," Troy whispers as he gives my thigh a flirty squeeze. A server comes along with a tray of French toast and breakfast potatoes and begins to pass out plates of the most luxurious-looking breakfast food I've ever seen. I nearly drool when I see it.

Troy squeezes my hand to get my attention. "By the way, you look really beautiful today," he says. "I'm not sure what my grandma said before about your shoes being manillas or something, but it's you that makes the shoes look so good."

I get giddy, realizing not even Eric would compliment me so sweetly, especially not in front of all these people.

"Thank you. You also look beautiful," I say admiring his light blue shirt which makes his eyes stand out amongst his khaki pants and loafers. He even rolled his pants at the ankle so they wouldn't be too long. I look between him and Ava, noticing they have the same style. I can't help but smile.

"Thank you, I get that a lot." He jokes and we finally let go of hands as we are now poured cups of coffee.

"So, Rosemary," Ava starts. "I'm thinking after this we talk with Mrs. Marigold and get a good feel for what she really wants here." She looks in that direction and then covers her mouth to whisper, "I don't want to mess up anything."

"We won't," I say, not too sure of myself. "We'll ask!" I flash her a smile and she nods in agreement. I begin to eat my breakfast as Troy and I talk about possible colors for my dress.

"With those green eyes, you ought to wear an emerald-colored dress," Troy comments.

Ava laughs, "I don't think she has any other colors in her closet besides pink."

"Pink? Really?" Troy rolls his eyes jokingly. "Pink wouldn't really go with my eyes."

"Pink and blue!" Brad chimes in. "Like cotton candy! I like it!"

We all break out into laughter and Ellen gives us all a friendly smile.

When the servers bring out the pastries, we all light up.

"Oh my," Ava says.

"Goodness," I cut her off.

"So.." Brad joins in.

"Amazing!" Troy finishes as we all glance around at one another and break into another fit of laughter. Suddenly, Mrs. Marigold gets up. She begins to walk to our section of the table. I nudge Troy so he notices. Brad sits up straight and I see Ava push a piece of hair behind her ear.