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Eloise’s smile tightened. “Is that how you and my son met? Did you audition for his show?” she asked, her eyes boring into me.
Spencer spoke up quickly. “No, actually. We met at a pub on my second day in America,” he said, his voice firm.
But Fleur wasn’t convinced. “But she is in your show, right?” she sneered, her lips twisting into an unattractive scowl.
Spencer’s jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. “Yes, she is. But it’s not because we’re dating. London more than earned it. Something you’d all be able to experience if you come to New York to see the show.”
Fleur made it clear that she had no intention of doing so, but Eloise intervened with a stern look. Raynard then picked up the questioning, asking about my parents’ occupation.
I replied with a polite smile. “My father created the McCrae International Research Institute, but he’s retired now and my older brother Alec has taken over.”
“McCrae International Research Institute? That’s MIRI, right? Based in Scotland?” Parker’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“Yes, that’s the one,” I replied, glad somebody recognized the name.
“I’ve always wondered what–”
But before Parker could finish his sentence, Fleur cut in, interrupting as if it was a regular occurrence.
“Mum, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about our annual donation to the British Museum. The curator would like to come on Monday to review our collection,” she said, her tone firm and commanding.
I looked around the dining room, feeling more and more out of place. It was obvious that Spencer’s family was wealthy and cultured, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong there with my American accent and background in acting. I tried to put on a brave face and be polite, hoping to make a good impression. Spencer’s hand found mine under the table, and I squeezed it in gratitude for his comforting touch. I could tell that he was also feeling the pressure of his family’s scrutiny, but he handled it with grace and dignity, which only made me admire him more.
As dinner ended, I was relieved that the conversation hadn’t turned into a full-blown interrogation. But by the time we said our goodbyes, I had to force a smile on my face. I felt like a little girl who didn’t fit in with the other kids at school. The Yorks were like a clique of the most exclusive social circle, and I knew I was the outsider who would never belong.
Spencer had been so confident and determined about our relationship, but now I wondered if we had a future together. His family’s expectations were clear - they wanted someone from their social circle to be by his side. The thought of Spencer only being with me to defy his family was painful.
A little voice in my head whispered that this would not work, that I should leave before it shattered my heart into a million pieces. Despite hoping that we were building something real, tonight’s dinner with his family crushed that hope. Their rejection of me was palpable, and I couldn’t bear the thought of forcing Spencer to choose between them and me. Our relationship felt like nothing more than an illusion, and I didn’t know how to move forward from here.
TWENTY
SPENCER
As I saton the flight back to New York with London, something felt off. She had barely spoken, and when she did, her responses were short and to the point. I assumed she was just exhausted from the trip, as she had slept for most of the flight.
However, the next morning, I sent her a couple of texts but received no response. I could tell she had read them, but there was still no reply. With rehearsals starting the following day, I had no chance to see her in person. I knew I had to reach out to her, so I called her.
For a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. But then, I heard her voice on the other end of the line, “Hi.”
“Hey, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay since I didn’t hear from you,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.
“I’m fine, just busy,” she replied, her voice sounding distant.
I was taken aback by her response. “Well, I have you on the phone, so would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
After a long pause, she declined. “No, thank you. I need to focus on the previews and make sure I’m prepared.”
I was disappointed, but I didn’t let her rejection discourage me. “Okay, what if I bring dinner to you and help you run lines?”
“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’d just distract me,” she said curtly.
I didn’t know how to react to her words. It didn’t sound like a compliment, and I felt uneasy.
“Spencer, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you at previews tomorrow,” she cut off the call, without waiting for my response.
I sat in silence for a moment, staring at my phone. What had just happened? I couldn’t understand it. I had felt her distancing from me, but I never expected her to go from meeting my parents to completely blowing me off.
Frustrated, I headed to the minibar to find a stronger drink than beer. I needed to take the edge off and clear my head. The situation was confusing, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. She had talked about wanting to meet my parents, and now, suddenly, she seemed to pull away.
