Kurt''s smug expression was thest straw. Shanley''s face was a thundercloud.


    "You can go entertain the other guests now, Shanley," Kurt said, oblivious to the impending storm. "I''ve got things covered here."


    He''d seen his friends woo women before; he knew a few tricks.


    "You are not needed here," Shanley said, his voice dropping to a dangerously low temperature as he red at Kurt. "Go outside and greet the guests."


    "What? Shanley, why are you kicking me out?"


    Kurt''s confidence evaporated. Just half an hour ago, Shanley had been ordering him to chat up the doctor. Had he messed up somehow?


    "Shanley," Kurt whined, his voice turning pleading, "it''s not my fault. She won''t talk to me! Look at her face... she''s terrifying."


    Shanley nced at Juniper, who promptly shot him a re of her own. He had to admit, she was fierce. But she was also incredibly cute.


    "See? She''s even ring at you!" Kurt eximed. "I''m telling you, Grandma is throwing me to the wolves!"


    "Enough," Shanley snapped, tired of theints. "Go wee the guests, and you''ll still get what I promised you."


    "Really?" Kurt''s eyes lit up.


    "If you''re not gone in ten seconds, the deal is off," Shanley warned.


    "Yes, sir!"


    With that, Kurt bid a hasty farewell to his grandmother and practically sprinted out of the room.


    As Kurt''s footsteps faded, a tense silence fell over the lounge.


    Hannah looked from Juniper''s impassive face to Shanley''s lovesick one, and her anger boiled over. At first, she''d wanted to set them up. but ever since she''d learned he was in love with someone else, she had given up. Shanley was her grandson, but if he dared to trifle with this young woman''s feelings, she would not forgive him.


    "Ms. Payne," Shanley said, stepping forward and formally extending his hand. "It''s a pleasure to finally meet you."


    Juniper remained seated, tilting her head back to look up at him. Her eyes, sparkling like a gxy, held a hint of amusement.


    "The pleasure is all mine," she said, her voice dripping with irony. She made no move to take his hand.


    Hannah''s eyes widened. She had


    never seen anyone dare to give her formidable.grandson the cold shoulder. The girl looked so young and delicate, yet her presence was in no way diminished by Shanley''s to fact: her grandson looked a little intimidated.


    Finally, someone who could put him in his ce. But it was a pity... he already had a


    sweetheart. She was probably a wonderful girl, too.


    Hannah sighed, a wave of regret washing over her. As for Kurt... he was a lost


    cause. Setting him up with Juniper would have been an insult.


    An idea formed in her mind. She would host a family ceremony and formally adopt Juniper into the Schwartz family. If she couldn''t be her granddaughter-inw, she could certainly be her granddaughter.