Once dessert is served, I ask Nick who he thinks it could be, and he has it narrowed down to the detective or Alex. Huh. Taking a moment to think through all I’ve heard, I have 5 people in mind. Many characters have alibis, so dismissing them is easy. The wife is one of my suspects, but that’s pretty cliché. Since the victim owed a lot of money, it could be Alex or Bay. There’s also a nephew who asked the victim for a loan recently.
I choose Bay at the last moment. Our character cards are gathered up, and we wait for the winner to be announced. Seb is animatedly explaining why he chose the nephew when the MC returns. Three people guessed correctly, and by random draw, a woman two tables away is the winner. She receives a little trophy and a dining gift card. Nick and another man were the other two correct guesses, and they get free movie tickets. “Who did you choose?” I ask Nick.
“Detective.”
“Good job, Grumpy.” I pat his knee and stand. We wait until most people have descended the stairs, then the guys surround me to walk back to the vehicle.
I make a mad dash up the stairs to the bathroom when Alex unlocks the front door. The guys find it hilarious. Whatever. It’s also an excuse to grab the balloons in Nick’s closet that E bought and inflated earlier today.
After a quick pee, I grab the balloon clusters and drop them around the living room just as the door opens. Both Alex and Seb seem surprised. Yay for us!
E is carrying Seb’s cake from the kitchen downstairs, and Bay has Alex’s cake. They set them on the table while I gather plates and forks. Nick lights the candles as I take pics with my phone while we sing Happy Birthday to both of them. Bay manages a group photo with all of us and the two cakes before E cuts everyone slices.
Alex’s cake is lemon, while Seb’s is white confetti with sprinkles everywhere. E made both from scratch, so they’re both delicious.
We grab our gifts next. Seb, of course, wants to go first. I got him wireless headphones. He receives clothes, a free oil change and car detailing, and a knife.
I got Alex tickets to a lecture series at the university. The guys give him a university sweatshirt, a free tune-up for his SUV and a heart rate monitor.
Alex is thankful and polite, but distant. I wish he would enjoy his day, but we can’t force him. He retires early to bed.
I surprise Alex and Seb with a cupcake and candle at school on Monday and Tuesday during lunch. Alex had a fancy dinner with his dad, Alicia, and Reesa on Monday evening, but his dad flew in for just that night. Gabby, Troy, Nick, and Seb celebrated with pizza and cake at their condo Tuesday night.
Chapter 7
Summer
Friday evening, after talking with Jake, I take a shower and grab a dress for dinner with E’s grandparents. Seb, E, and I have talked a lot about what he wants to do about his family. E is determined not to move home still. His abusive dad is retiring at the end of the month from the military, so he'll be a permanent fixture around here soon. That's my guess as to why they want to have dinner.
Zander gets home just before I have to leave, so I give him a quick hug then head out with E.
The butler greets us at the door and escorts us to the parlour, where we take seats to wait for E’s grandparents again. E is nervous, his head cast down and his leg bouncing quickly, so I place my hand on his knee. “No matter what this is about, you have us, E. We’ll figure out a solution you’re happy with. Don’t let them pressure you into anything tonight.”
E smiles at me, taking my hand. “Thanks for coming with me, Summer.”
I lean up and kiss his cheek as his grandfather clears his throat. We stand and greet them before following into the dining room. Bill asks about our courses for senior year, and then we eat our small-portioned meal in silence. Luckily, we have chicken and not seafood tonight.
After dinner, we move back into the sitting room. “Elijah, I’m sure you are wondering why we wanted to talk,” Bill starts.
“Yes, grandfather. What would you like to discuss?” E grabs my hand as I notice the tension in his posture.
“Now that you are a senior, it’s time to make some changes and plans for your future. Your grandmother and I have had extensive discussions regarding you this summer.”
“What are you suggesting?” E says, looking wary. I lean my body against his in support.
“For starters, you’ll be attending college next year. What career path have you chosen?”
“I still want to be a chef, grandfather.”
“That is not a suitable career choice, Elijah,” his grandmother chimes in with a sniff.
“You have an opportunity to join the family business, or there are a number of other suitable career paths you can take. Business, law, the military, to name a few. If you want us to pay for your education and receive your inheritance, then you must choose something else. I’ll give you a few months to decide,” he says, waving his hand, like he’s discussing something mundane. “Now, another issue needs to be resolved. Your boyfriend. We’ve allowed you to carry on for years now, but it’s time you started looking for a suitable partner.”
“We could tolerate your friend here, if absolutely necessary, as she has money, Elijah, but I have several lovely young ladies available who come from appropriate families for you to choose from,” his grandmother adds.
I look up at E, but he seems stunned into silence, his mouth hanging open. The gall of these old southern families continues to astound me. I can’t say I’m overly surprised after everything I’ve seen, but damn. Nothing like the subtle dig at me, too, not that I care what these people think of me.
Since E can’t respond, I decide to say something. “Forgive me, but I’m a little confused. Didn’t Elijah’s father marry who he wanted? Why do you insist Elijah chooses someone meeting your approval when his father didn’t have to?”
