Marnie Hayes, Cooper and Eliza’s grandma, was a force to be reckoned with. She was tiny—standing at about five feet—but her personality and colorful wardrobe more than made up for her lack of height. She was blunt, kind, and loving—a powerful and wonderful combination. Marnie had also suffered more loss than one person ever should. So had Eliza and Cooper.
Marnie’s husband died a couple of years after they had their first and only child, Cooper and Eliza’s dad. Marnie raised Eliza and Cooper after their parents, Daniel and Harper, died in a car accident nearly twenty years ago when Eliza was six and Cooper was fourteen.
It was around this time of year, which likely added to the heightened tensions between Eliza and Cooper.
Eliza’s lips parted, and I knew my best friend wanted to get the last word, but I cut in instead. “Marnie, I didn’t realize you’d be able to make it tonight. No knitting club?”
Marnie gave both Cooper and Eliza one final pointed look before turning to me, her lips spreading into a genuine smile. “There’s my Lily. Don’t you look gorgeous tonight.” She walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. Once she’d taken off her coat, Marnie’s outfit came into full view. She was wearinga long, colorful dress with whimsical, flowy sleeves. With each movement, she looked like she was floating on a cloud.
“I couldn’t miss yetanotherone of these dinners. I told the ladies they can meet without me. I’ll catch up on the gossip another night,” Marnie said with a wink. She pulled away from the embrace and gave my arms a final squeeze. “I’m going to go see if your parents need any help in the kitchen.” Her voice dropped to a playful whisper. “I’ll leave the mediating duties to you.”
When I turned toward Cooper and Eliza, Cooper was wrapped up in conversation with Wes and Jules. I gave my full attention to my best friend. “Are you okay? What happened?” I reached over to fix her necklace, moving the clasp to the back.
“It’s going to sound stupid when I say it out loud,” Eliza said with a sigh. “But earlier this week, Cooper and I coordinated that I was going to drive Gran over tonight. As I was about to leave my apartment to pick her up, he texted me saying he had stopped by her house after all and that I should come straight here. And I know who drove her over doesn’t matter at the end of the day. It’s just…frustratingthat he needs to have everything in his control, even if he means well. It feels like he doesn’t trust me or doesn’t think I’m responsible enough.” Eliza ran her hands over her face, pushing her shoulder-length black hair behind her ears. “I know this time of year is hard for him, but it’s hard for all of us.”
I nodded, listening intently to my best friend. My heart ached for her, and while there wasn’t anything I could do to change what happened, I always wanted to be there for her. “It’s hard for him, but it’s hard for you, too,” I said softly. “And it’s not stupid at all. Your reasons for being frustrated are valid, even if you can see where he’s coming from. I’m glad you’re not holding it in. Maybe you two could talk about it sometime this week? Hemight not realize the other reasons you’re feeling frustrated and what it stems from.”
Eliza took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. “Yeah, I think talking is a good idea. Get on the same page. He’s annoying as shit, but I hate fighting with him,” she said with a laugh.
I grinned at her, knowing exactly what she meant, since I felt the same way when Wes and I argued. Our protective older brothers, who were best friends, loved control and taking care of others. Usually, it was a good thing. But there were those moments when it was too much and overbearing.
As Eliza and I were finishing our conversation, Cooper walked over, giving her a tentative smile. “I know I messed up, and I’ll work on it. We good for tonight?”
She twisted her lips to the side, giving it some thought and making him sweat a little, before nodding with a smile. “Yeah, we’re good. That was faster than usual to get some sense knocked into you. Was that Wes’s doing?”
“Mostly Jules,” Cooper said with a chuckle.
We looked over at Wes and Jules, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist. In perfect timing, Jules looked in our direction, giving us a wink.
Eliza and I grinned in return.
I wasn’t sure what I’d do without Eliza and Jules. Luckily, I didn’t have to find out.
The first few minutes of dinner were always quiet as everyone took their initial bites, but by the end of the meal, theconversation and laughter were bouncing off the walls. I used the back of my hand to wipe the happy tears from my eyes.
It was easy for my stress to melt away, even if it was temporary, for my shoulders to relax, and to focus my mind onthismoment. Not on Gabriel or the uncertainty that was waiting for me on Monday.
When the conversation and laughter died down, Marnie looked across the table at me. “Lily, are you switching up the menu this week or keeping it the same? I didn’t have a chance to try the cranberry orange scones, so I’m hoping they’ll be back.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
I was happy to tell her luck was on her side. “I’ll be keeping it the same, so spiced gingerbread loaf and the scones. I can set some aside for you this week. Do you know when you’ll come by?”
Marnie adjusted the stack of bracelets on her wrist. “Thursday, maybe? Will your new helper be there?”
So much for not thinking about Gabriel.
“Assuming he decides to stick around after the week starts”—my lips formed a tight smile—“I think he’ll be there.”
Marnie hummed in response. “I’m looking forward to stopping by. I heard from Louise he’s very handsome.”
“The girls were saying the same thing on the phone the other day,” Wes chimed in. Of all moments,of course, he picked this one. My brother enjoyed these dinners as much as I did, but he typically spent more time listening than talking. He’d always been more introverted, and I loved that Jules brought him out of his comfort zone while also giving him a safe place to be himself.
I shot him a look that saidreally?, and he shrugged. I rolled my eyes.
Marnie looked at me expectantly, still waiting for an answer.
“I…didn’t notice if he was handsome or not. I was too busy trying to figure out how to not let him steal my café.”
“Dad, what happened between you and Ron Nelson, anyway?” Wes asked, and this time I didn’t mind him butting in, because I was curious, too.
