“I’m really not that interesting,” she said, eyes on her plate.
“Lies,” I countered. “Tell them about that story contest.”
Her glare was pure fire, but Mom leaned in. “Oh, I’d love to hear.”
Ellie sighed, then smiled sheepishly. “Okay, fine. In fifth grade, I wrote this story about a badass princess and her friends who went on adventures to save their kingdom from Orcs who wanted to take it over for themselves. The girls would go on quests, level up their skills, and sometimes fall in love—basically it was like the Choose Your Own Adventure books.”
Marc, quiet until now, perked up. “I loved those. That’s actually really cool.” He gave her an encouraging smile and shifted his tortoise shell glasses back up his nose. He was the quiet one of the group. And this was the first thing he’d said besides ‘hi’ since we sat down.
Her grin widened. “Really? It was dorky, but … fun.”
Wyatt clinked his glass dramatically. “A toast! To Princess Ellie, Orc-slayer and now honorary Kingsley.”
Even Marc joined in, raising his water glass. Ellie ducked her head, laughing.
Grace leaned across the table. “That sounds like something I’d totally read. Nowadays, though? With monster smut, the Orcs would’ve been the love interests.”
“Monster smut?” Dad asked, a furrow forming between his brows.
Grace cringed. “I’m not explaining this to Dad. Mom, you can do it, but later. Like after we’re gone later.”
“Maybe we can pick one up when Adele re-opens the bookshop again.” Mom grinned at Dad. “We could add it to the books we’ve been reading together.”
“God, Mom. Just … No.” Wyatt groaned.
Marc stared at his plate, his longish, wavy, dirty-blonde hair swung forward.
Ellie pressed a hand to her mouth, giggling so hard she snorted. It was the kind of laugh you didn’t fake, and seeing her share it with my family carved out something fierce into my chest.
I made a gagging sound. “Mom, not in front of Ellie. She doesnotneed to know about the steamy books you and Dad read to each other.”
The smile slid from Ellie’s lips and her face paled before turning pink.
“There’s nothing wrong with them reading books like that.” The words burst out of her before I could ask if she was okay.
“Of course there isn’t.” I’m sure I was looking at her like she had ten heads. “I just don’t need to know what my parents are using to spice up their sex lives.” It surprised me and delighted me that she challenged what I’d said with such ferocity. If she could stand up to me there was hope she’d eventually get there with her family.
“Oh.” That flush that had started on her cheeks was more of a five alarm fire spreading across her face. Something I said hit her the wrong way and I was not about to let miscommunication throw us for a loop.
Mom put a hand on Ellie’s arm. “Thank you for defending us, sweetie.”
Wyatt cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. “So how do you like working for Drew?” I wasn’t mad at how quickly he changed the subject. At least not until I could figure out what upset Ellie.
She didn’t even hesitate. “It’s been the best job I’ve ever had. Drew is seriously the most amazing boss and everyone there has been so welcoming. I love seeing the company through his eyes. Anytime we discuss the expansion, I can see how hard he works for Kingsley Jewelry, not because he has to, but because it means so much to him.”
I laughed off what she said. “You’re just trying to be nice instead of saying I’m a workaholic.”
A solid kick hit my shoe.
My startled glance met her steely one. “I wasn’t and yes, you are, but you’re passionate about what you do and you want to do it well. Putting in the long hours is what’s going to get you across the finish line.”
My mouth snapped shut.
A sly, knowing smile tipped up the corner of Grace’s mouth.
Mom jumped in to fill the silence. “Ellie, how can we help while your family is here?”
“Honestly, the fact that you’re on board with our fake relationship is so helpful. I thought my sister was going to call me out on it within five minutes of her arriving, but Drew and I were able to salvage it.”
