Diamond, did that quick scan in a matter of seconds and didn’t openly show that she was sizing another man’s husband.

A smile was on her face, as she rose to her feet alongside Penny, who had stopped talking in the middle the moment Russ walked in.

"Husband!" Penny had called out excitedly, but Diamond didn’t miss the awkwardness in that calling.

It was as if Penny was using a term she wasn’t used to and it made her gossipy side very interested. Her eyes were just short of twinkling like stars, fortunately, she suppressed that urge and maintained a soft smile on her face, acting like she wasn’t seeing that awkwardness at all.

Russ twitched upon being called an unfamiliar term he didn’t feel much drawn towards to. For a moment he wondered why Penny was acting out of character but then his gaze unconsciously moved towards the bright woman standing next to Penny, and he understood instantly.

Women have this competitive spirit in them. It can’t be that Penny was trying to mark her ground in front of Diamond, was she?

Nevertheless, he was someone who still respects this nominal wife of his and wouldn’t outrightly embarrass her in front of others.

The moment that clicked, he smiled back at her, and called her, "Wife, I hope that I didn’t keep you waiting," playing along the act.

Diamond, watching all that inwardly clicked her tongue as she felt disappointed.

Nevertheless, Penny was happy to see Russ’s response. The moment she called out to him, she regretted it. In that short moment, her thoughts wandered widely and she even thought about how she would fare if Russ responded otherwise. Thankfully, he kept her reputation intact.

With the couple on the same wavelength, Penny felt her courage returning and she confidently looked at Diamond, eager to see her reaction but when she saw that familiar soft expression on her face, she felt slightly disappointed as that wasn’t the reaction that she wanted to see.

Nonetheless, she still acted proper and started to make the introductions, "Diamond, dear, meet Russ, my husband," making sure to emphasize greatly on the status.

Diamond smiled at Penny before looking at Russ openly with the same soft smile on her face, while Penny continued with the introductions.

"Husband, meet Diamond," and Diamond wasn’t much surprised to not hear any other embellishments added.

She simply took a few steps forward and met Russ halfway with her hand stretched. While the greeting etiquette here differs from Athary, and she was quite curious how a hug from Russ will feel like, she knew and understood boundaries. She doesn’t like playing games with married men, regardless of their marriage conditions.

So, she opted for a handshake and Penny was visibly relieved upon seeing the two doing a handshake instead of a hug and cheek kiss.

"It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Russ. I have heard so much about you," Diamond cheekily greeted Russ, not being overly polite, and didn’t forget to throw a wink at Penny, making the woman blush.

Russ caught all that and the corners of his lips couldn’t help but raise slightly, finding Diamond’s character quite unique. It should be causing Penny a huge trouble. After all, Penny was uptight most of the time.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Diamond. Thank you for making good memories for my princess."

"Haha, the pleasure is all mine. If it wasn’t for your darling daughter, I wouldn’t have known that I am that good with children," she responded with a laugh, her soft hand still grasped by his hand.

It was at this moment that she finally knew how calloused his hand was but the feeling wasn’t bad. After all, this was the results that showed how hard working this man was.

At the same time, Russ’s mind was also thinking about how soft her hand was. It was on par with Gracelynn, and yet he knew that this woman was hardworking in her own way and wasn’t a softie as she tends to look. Looks were quite deceiving.

Moreover, he also noticed a few other things in that short time. She smells very nice and gives off that refreshing and soothing kind of scent that can only be discerned when you get closer to her and concentrate. Perhaps, because he is hypersensitive, he caught up on that unique scent immediately and didn’t mix it with the cologne that seems to be blend with that natural body fragrance.

Most importantly. Unlike most women he had interacted with on a daily basis, this one didn’t seem to be playing tricks on him. They tend to like scratching his palm accidentally, give him some funny winks and looks which only looks cringy. Fortunately, Diamond didn’t seem to be the case.

He chuckled lightly at her response pushing those thoughts to the side and responded to her, "haha, I hope that she wasn’t any trouble."

Diamond shook her head, a smile still plastered on her face as she let go of his hand, as if on cue, Russ didn’t continue to hold on and let go the moment she showed signs.

"How could she be?"

With a little banter, talking about Gracelynn, the three of them finally sat down. However, Russ didn’t sit with Penny at the same sofa but sat on a single sofa, giving Penny not a single chance to squeeze and play pretend couple with him. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Diamond didn’t actually mind about anything. It wasn’t her relationship anyway, so why bother?

"I have truly been wanting to meet you. I was wondering what kind of an amazing father can bear such an adorable daughter like Gracelynn, but now I see that she must take that from you, and your wife," Diamond sweetly praised, not forgetting Penny, the drum of vinegar who gets easily jealous.

"I hope that you weren’t disappointed!"

"I am very much satisfied. You guys, both rock and it has been an honor to spend such a day having so much fun with your wife and daughter. I had a wonderful day."

"I am glad that you enjoyed it and they were great hosts."

"That, they were and I am looking forward to the next time that we go out and play," she sincerely spoke, revealing her earnest feelings.

She didn’t mind going for a second round to have more fun, though she wasn’t sure if Penny would love to see that happening.