Chapter 15
Seren had no idea when she’d finally drifted off to sleep, but by the time she woke, it was already the next morning.
The person who roused her was Nadine, just home from her night shift and radiating gossip energy as she plopped down at the edge of the bed. “So? So? How did it go with Jasper? Did you two hit it off p>
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Seren mumbled, “I didn’t meet Jasper p>
Nadine shot up, indignant. “What? He stood you up? That’s outrageous. Wait right here—I’m calling him out p>
“Jasper had something come up last minute, but he sent someone else instead.” Seren replied.
Nadine was already halfway through the door when she froze, her expression twisting in disbelief.
“He sent a stand-in? Is that even a thing p>
She hurriedly tiptoed back, curiosity lighting up her whole face. “Who was it? Anyone good-looking? Did you hit it off? Was there a spark p>
There was no point hiding it-Nadine would find out sooner or later anyway. Seren glanced at her, resigned. “Lennon p>
“Oh my God p>
Nadine whipped out her phone, and after a few quick taps, somehow produced a photo of Lennon, thrusting it in front of Seren’s face. “This man p>
Seren nodded. “Yeah, that’s him p>
“Lennon. Says here he’s twenty-nine, six-foot-three, top of the Seaside City rich list, the most eligible bachelor in town. Every socialite in Seaside City is practically fighting to the death over this guy p>
She snorted in appreciation. “Honestly, this ‘stand-in’ leaves Jasper eating dust. Gotta give it to him—Jasper’s got good instincts p>
Then she leaned in, eyes practically sparkling. “Come on, spill! Did the two of you hit it off? Did you get his number? Planning to meet up again p>
It wasn’t until Nadine asked that Seren realized she hadn’t asked Lennon for his number and he hadn’t asked for hers, either.
It was her first blind date. She simply hadn’t thought of exchanging contact info. She shook her head instinctively. “No, I didn’t p>
Her words were cut off by her phone ringing, the melody breaking the moment.
She fished it out, glancing at the unfamiliar number on the screen. Seaside City area code.
On a whim, Seren answered.
A deep, magnetic voice came
elbet
through the line. “Miss Bradley, I’m at the Rutledge estate. Old Mr. Rutledge asked me to call and seat when you’ll be arriving
For a moment, Seren’s mind went completely blank. How had Lennon gotten her number?
Then it clicked. He was at the Rutledge estate; of course, Old Mr. Rutledge must have given it to him.
She glanced at the time—just past nine in the morning.
Was Lennon really at the Rutledge house this early-was he clocking in for work, or what?
She couldn’t quite wrap her head around it, but she kept it polite. “Just give me a moment I’ll be there shortly p>
She hung up, only to feel Nadine smack her on the shoulder.
“Not only did you get his number, you’re already at the ‘meet the parents stage. If I’d come home any
do you two be on your way
way
to city hall by now?” fo
Seren was momentarily speechless.
Because Nadine wasn’t wrong.
If Nadine had put in even an hour of overtime, she just might have come home to find Seren and Lennon already on their way to the courthouse.
Noticing Seren’s awkward expression, Nadine’s eyes widened. “Wait. Don’t tell me -you really are heading to city hall p>
Seren managed a sheepish smile, then nodded under Nadine’s incredulous, scandalized stare.
“Yeah. I mean, we clicked, and his
family’s keen on the wedding, so we made the call last night. My grandfather meets him today and then we go straight to city hall to seal the deal p>
“That’s amazing! That’s how it should be! If Sheridan or anyone from the Powers family comes sniffing around, just have Lennon deal with them. Easy p>
Seren had half-expected Nadine to lecture her about moving too fast with Lennon.
She hadn’t expected Nadine to be as unfazed-and even as enthusiastic-as Old Mr. Rutledge.
After a moment’s hesitation, she couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you think… marrying Lennon is a little too fast p>