7. Ellery

Ellery

The salads were served and everyone began eating. I saw a couple of turns our way, I was sure everyone was curious who the playboy of the family finally decided to lock down, but no curiosity that would lead to suspicion.

Juniper was doing a respectable job. She made small talk easily and got along well with my mother.

Salads were soon traded for the fish course, which was soon traded for the main steak dinner. It was all a bit of a blur as I listened to everyone at the table drone on and on about work. Almost everyone in the family played some role in Corecords, whether they worked at the legal firm who represented it, or at the consulting firm we worked hand in hand with. So the conversation always revolved around that.

Tiffany looked as off put as she always did sitting next to my brother. Her and Arthur made for an interesting pair. It was more of a merger than a marriage. Her father and mine decided to merge their businesses, which doubled what we were currently doing, but with that came an old age marriage contract, which was how they ended up together.

Arthur never talked about how he felt about it, and Tiffany certainly didn't, so I had no idea how they were behind closed doors. But at events like this, they were exactly what they were supposed to be. Put together, proper, the perfect example.

A setup I hoped to avoid by doing this. For a long time at least.

Dessert was served soon after. "We're having your favorite," my mother said to me as the plates were being served.

"Tiramisu?" Juniper asked as it was set in front of her.

I took a spoonful and nodded. "The best."

"You're supposed to wait for everyone," my mom scolded. "Manners."

I rolled my eyes, but set my spoon down. Juniper covered her laugh at my expense with her napkin, but I still heard it.

After everyone was served, I dug back in, enjoying the coffee cream flavor.

"This is very good," Juniper commented, sweeping a spoon into her mouth.

Something about the way she licked the spoon from her mouth had my mind traveling… elsewhere. Back to the hotel room specifically.

I quickly pushed any thoughts of her taste away and focused on my food. Yes, she was attractive, but hooking up would only complicate things further. And there didn't need to be any more complications to this matter.

"So, June," my mother started. "Oh, do you mind if I call you June?"

She smiled. "Not at all."

"Lovely. Do you have any plans for the holidays?" she asked.

"Not really," she said. "My mother's going on a vacation this year to the Bahamas, so I was just going to spend it at home."

"Oh, that's nice for her, but sounds a bit lonely."

I froze, knowing where this was headed. My father was watching the interaction carefully, and Samuel looked as if he was ready to take out the popcorn. Juniper continued eating her dessert, clueless to the trap my mother had just laid.

"Well, every year our family does a two week trip to a ski resort up north."

"That sounds beautiful," she said. "The perfect way to spend the holiday."

The glint in my mother's eye told me she was on a roll. I wanted to jump in and say something, anything to stop what I knew was coming, but had no idea what I would say.

"I'm so glad you think so. I was wondering if you would be interested in coming with us?"

Juniper paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth. "What?"

"We would love it if you joined us," Mom repeated. "You wouldn't have to worry about a thing, just showing up."

Juniper set her spoon down and looked at me, slightly panicked. I was there with her, but left my face neutral.

She cleared her throat. "I appreciate the invitation, but I'm not sure if I could get out of work."

"You work at Beans & More, right?" Rachel asked.

"Yeah."

"Oh, I know Barbra, the owner," she said. “She totally owes me. I’m in interior design and helped her get the cafe set up. If it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t have those fancy tables she loves so much. We could get you out of work, easily."

Thank you Rachel, for having connections to absolutely everyone in this town. Rachel's true skill was making connections, and it was one that fit right in with the family.

"T-that would be nice," Juniper said. "In that case, I guess I could."

"Wonderful!" my mother said. "We are so thrilled to have you, right dear?" she asked my father.

"It will be nice to have another member in the family." He didn't say it unkindly, but it didn't sound very sincere either, which rubbed me the wrong way.

The dessert was finished and we were led back to the great room for drinks. I only had a coffee since I planned to drive, but Juniper knocked back another drink, and I couldn't blame her.

I brought her here to be conned into a family vacation, when we weren't even together. She seemed to be handling it well, though. After it happened, she went back to acting like everything was normal. Rachel was excited to go to the spa with her, and my mother kept asking what size shoe she wore for her ski boots.

By the time we were saying goodbye and making our way out the door, I was reminded why I didn't come to every family dinner. These people were exhausting.

We got to the car and I started driving, eager to get away and back home.

"Your family is nice," Juniper commented.

"They're a bit much," I said. "But they're all right."

"So, how am I getting out of this vacation?" she asked. "I've been trying to think of something all night, but can't."

I swallowed. I wasn't sure either. The more I thought about it, though, the more it seemed like a good idea. If she came to this vacation, my family saw us happy, and I acted like it ended in tragic heartbreak, that would have to let me off the hook for at least a year, maybe even a few.

I pulled up to her apartment. It was a cute town house. Not my style–I preferred my penthouse, but it seemed to fit her.

“Fifty grand," I said, turning to look at her.

Her eyes cut to mine. "What?"

"Come on vacation with me, we plan a break up afterwards, and I will pay you fifty thousand dollars. That has to be enough to pay your startup costs, right?”

Her face was blank, I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Why?" she asked.

"Why not?" I shot back.

This time when she looked at me, that hazel gaze felt like it was cutting through me. "A real answer, or the answer is no, no matter how much money you offer me."

I flopped back into my seat. The truth? What even was it?

"I just want to do my own thing, you know?" I started. "I want them off my back. Want them to let me live my life the way I want. If I look like I at least tried their way, I'll get a bit of reprieve."

I stared out the windshield. I hadn't been that honest or raw with anyone in a long time, but it felt sort of pleasant to get off my chest. And it made think about the even deeper reason. I wasn’t cut out to live like they did. To have a family, a normal job, ball games on the weekends or whatever they did. That wasn’t in the cards for me I was sure.

When I finally looked to Juniper, she was deep in thought, chewing on her lip. "Just the vacation, and then it's over?" she asked.

"Yes. Then it's all over."

"And all our same rules apply?"

"Yes."

She sighed a heavy breath and it felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, waiting for her response.

"Fine," she said at last.

“Really?" I asked, feeling my tight chest unfurl.

"Really. With that money we can easily start up PlanD.”

"We leave next week," I told her. "I'll come to pick you up on Friday for the drive up."

"Fine. Be sure to send the rest of the money for tonight."

I smirked. She was collected one minute, and fiery the next. "Will do."

She got out of my car and I watched as she went inside, shutting the door behind her. I leaned back against my seat, letting the cool leather calm my nerves. This was probably the most insane idea I'd ever had, but if it worked, it could mean going back to my normal life.

I drove back to my apartment, ready to flop onto my bed and forget today happened. Forget I now had a girlfriend. If only for a little while.

Normally when something like this happened, this level of stress, I would go out. I would find a club, a few drinks, a hook up. It was how I dealt with these things, but I couldn’t do that. Not only did I not want to get caught, but I wouldn’t disrespect Juniper, even if it was fake. That was low, even for me.

Once I made it upstairs, I quickly showered then hopped in my bed. As I laid there, I thought about Juniper. I wasn't sure why she drifted into my thoughts, but she wouldn't leave. Not when I tried to watch TV to distract myself. Not when I read over reports for work on Monday.

Not even when I finally found sleep.