Chapter 24 Eliza
Eliza
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I tell Emma for the third time as we walk up Esther’s front steps. “I doubt anyone will kick you out in the snow.”
Emma adjusts her coat and checks her reflection in Esther’s front window. “Well, it wasn’t what I’d call inclusive when Eden got married without inviting me.”
I kick snow off my shoes before reaching for the doorknob and mutter, “She got married in the backyard. It was a glorified picnic.”
Mom harrumphs and starts to say something about Diamond Elite, and my stomach clenches. “No sales pitches.”
“It’s not a pitch; it’s a conversation about opportunity.” She opens the door before I can stop her. “There’s a difference.”
My sisters are all on Esther’s sectional sofa, and Eva winces when she sees I’m here with our mother. Esther frowns and calls toward the kitchen, “We’re going to need more wine.”
“Esther, darling!” Emma pushes past me for an air kiss that Esther barely tolerates. “You look wonderful. Is that a new haircut?”
“No,” Esther says flatly. She doesn’t elaborate but swats our mother’s wrist away when Emma reaches for Esther’s long locks.
The usual chaos of family dinner feels different with Emma’s presence—more performative, less genuine.
My sisters greet her with varying degrees of politeness, but I can see the walls going up.
Eva disappears into the kitchen. Eden finds urgent bee business to discuss with Eila.
Only Nate seems cordial, but he can talk to everyone.
“Where’s your young man?” Emma asks, settling herself at the head of the table like she lives here. “I was hoping to continue our conversation about business opportunities.”
“Reed had to work,” I say, grateful he declined tonight’s invitation.
“Of course he does. Career men and their deals.”
I bite back my first three responses and excuse myself to the kitchen, where Eila is helping Eva arrange appetizers on platters.
“How are you holding up?” Eila asks.
“Barely.” I lean against the counter, suddenly exhausted. “Can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“How did you find a therapist? Like, what’s the process?”
Eila’s face lights up with genuine happiness.
“Oh, Liza. I’m so glad you asked.” She sets down the cheese knife and pulls me into a hug.
“Esther and I do some family sessions together. It’s been really helpful for both of us.
I could ask if you could join us sometime, help you get connected with someone. ”
Relief floods through me. I’d been dreading having to navigate insurance and appointments and explanations on my own. “That would be amazing.”
“Consider it done.” Eila squeezes my shoulders. “I’m proud of you for asking.”
“Don’t get too excited. I might chicken out.”
“You won’t. If I can do it, so can you.”
Esther appears in the doorway, pulling a gorgeous pan of cranberries and pecans from the oven. “What are we doing?”
“Therapy,” I say. “And also, can I borrow something fancy for Friday night? Reed has this gala thing, and I need to look like I belong there.”
“A gala?” Eva’s eyes light up with the particular joy she gets from makeover opportunities. “Fun.”
Esther smiles. “I have a velvet blazer that will look incredible on you. Very sophisticated, but still you.”
“You sure? I don’t want to ruin anything expensive.”
“Eliza, you’re my sister. Of course, I’m sure.” She sets the hot pan on a trivet and studies my face. “This is serious with Reed, huh? If you’re wearing dress-up clothes.”
Before I can answer, Emma’s voice carries from the dining room. “I just think it’s important to be realistic about these types of relationships.”
We all freeze, then creep closer to the doorway to listen.
“What do you mean?” That’s Eden, her voice carefully neutral.
“Well, the Nicholas family isn’t exactly known for their warm, inclusive nature,” Emma continues. “They’re old money, very traditional. The type who look down on people like us.”
My stomach drops.
“Reed’s not like that,” Eden says firmly. “He was really nice at the cookie exchange.”
“Of course he was nice, dear. He’s not going to be rude to his girlfriend’s family. But let’s be honest… Do you really think someone from that world is going to commit to a woman who plays with goats?”
The casual cruelty of it takes my breath away. Not just the dismissal of my business, but the implication that Reed is playing with me, that I’m na?ve for believing otherwise.
Esther nods and strides into the dining room. “That’s enough.” Her words carry a welcome authority, but Emma’s not done.
“I’m just looking out for Eliza. The boy was incredibly condescending to me, throwing his education around like it made him better than everyone else. Very much his father’s son.”
Rage flares in my chest, hot and protective. I dart into the dining room with my hands fisted at my side.
“Reed was perfectly respectful to you,” I say. “He was asking legitimate questions about your business.”
Emma looks up, surprised by my tone. “Sweetie, I know you want to defend him, but—”
“But nothing.” I sink into my chair, meeting her gaze directly. “You’re wrong about him, and you’re wrong about his family. Reed’s not his father any more than I’m you.”
“Eliza—”
“I have a business, even if you don’t understand it,” I continue, my voice growing stronger. “I have a solid relationship. Both with long-term potential. Reed supports my work, respects my independence, and treats me like an equal partner.”
I see Esther smile out of the corner of my eye.
Emma’s expression shifts, becoming harder. “And when his family pressures him to find someone more suitable? Someone from his own social circle?”
“Then that’s his choice to make, but I’m not going to sabotage something good because I’m afraid it might end badly.”
My phone buzzes with a text from Reed:
How’s family dinner going? Surviving Emma?
My phone buzzes again.
REED NICHOLAS
No pressure, but if you need an escape hatch, I’m at the greenhouse for a few more hours.
Perfect timing. I hold up my phone. “Speaking of my partner, he’s checking on me. Because that’s what people do when they care.” I stand, tossing my napkin on the table. “I’m going to see him.”
“Eliza, you can’t just leave in the middle of dinner,” Emma protests.
“Watch me.” I grab my coat from the back of my chair. I kiss the top of Eva’s head, then turn to Emma. “We’ll talk tomorrow about your plans for the rest of the week.”
“But the Diamond Elite—”
“Spare me.” I’m out the door before anyone can stop me, my heart pounding with adrenaline and something that feels surprisingly courageous.
In my truck, I sit for a moment outside Esther’s house, processing what just happened. I defended Reed. I set a boundary with my mother. I chose my relationship over keeping the peace.
Most surprising of all, it felt good.