"Oh, you didn't have to bring it here. There's a supermarket nearby!" Ella exclaimed, surprised to see her parents and cousin Penny show up at her shop unexpectedly. Luckily, Reid had already left before they arrived. Penny swiftly set up the table in front of the couch, so everyone could sit down and eat the delicious lunch they brought.
"Don't worry, dear. You'll never be a bother to us. Also," her mother said wistfully, "we would have loved to meet Reid. Is he still here?"
Ella's expression turned into a frown. "Why do you want to meet Reid? You've only had two phone conversations with him. There's nothing extraordinary about meeting him."
"Oh, we asked Penny about him," Ella's mother interjected.
Ella's gaze shifted towards Penny, a warning glance silently passing between them. How
