She shook her head, whispering back. "I'm fine, Jake. Really."
William, sitting across from them, observed their intimate interaction but said nothing.
Anna awkwardly noticed it all as she made a mental note to talk to Jake later. The way Jake hovered protectively around her friend, the Whitmores might misunderstand their relationship.
Thankfully, Eleanor finally broke the silence, sounding regretful.
"I'm sorry about earlier, Brianna," she said. "Kate can be... impulsive. But the Harringtons are old friends, and that friendship is delicate. Please forgive her."
Bri offered a polite smile. "It's alright, Grandma Eleanor."
But, not willing to let it go, Robert suddenly cleared his throat. "Delicate or not, that girl was out of line," he said plainly. "I'll be having a word with Wayne and Charles about how she has behaved today. She needs to learn boundaries."
Susan frowned immediately. "Robert, she's just a child who doesn't think before she speaks. I'll handle it before it becomes a big deal."
Robert gave her a sharp look. "A child? Honey, she is twenty-four. She is old enough to know the difference between speaking her mind and being rude. Even Brianna here, who is her junior, carried herself with more grace."
Then his gaze shifted from his wife to Bri. "Please don't take Kate's words to heart, Brianna."
He paused, then turned his gaze to William. "But I would also like to clear one thing up, Son." He said authoritatively.
William looked up from his plate.
"Is it true?" Robert asked slowly. "What Kate said about where you spent the night after your wedding? Were you with her? How does she know so much about your personal life?"