The Vessel - Jenika Snow Page 0,13

wasn’t a baker by any means, I knew I made a pretty damn good one. So anytime I came over, I made sure to bake one, because I loved seeing how happy it made her.

My aunt came out a few moments later, the plates and silverware in her hand. She set those on the table and darted back inside. She came back out with a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses.

For the next twenty minutes, we ate the cake and did small-talk, my mom talking about this romance show she was watching on one of those subscription channels online, and my aunt talking about the dreamy look Mom got when she saw the main guy. I loved seeing them like this, sisterly banter that had my heart warming. I didn’t know what I’d do without them in my life.

I continued listening to them as I stared out at the small backyard, if it could even be called that. My aunt’s yard was nothing but a small square, with a strip of grass in one tiny corner, really just enough for a dog to do their business on. The rest was white pebbles, the occasional weed popping out through them.

I asked the landlord if we’d be able to build a bigger garden in the beginning, but he was an asshole, so I helped my aunt build a small raised bed, one that was only big enough to hold a handful of things. But it still made my mom happy, so I didn’t press the subject with the landlord about extending it. I didn’t want to make things worse for them, and he was a Grade-A prick.

“How’s work?” Mom asked after she polished off the cake.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and shrugged. “Good.” I nodded, although I didn’t know why I did. I felt my aunt and mother staring at me and knew they saw right through my sudden awkwardness. “I really enjoy working for Mr. Blacksmith. H-he’s great. And he offers unlimited overtime, so it’s been really helping me save. Yeah, I really enjoy working there, for him.” I internally groaned after I spoke, because I was just going on and on.

And as I looked between my mother and aunt... there it was, their knowing expressions. They hadn’t asked about Lucius, but I rambled on about him as if he was the reason my work was going well.

I shifted in the hard patio chair and cleared my throat, knowing I was about to be bombarded with questions. They were like hawks, seeing what was there no matter how small it was. Then they swooped down and grabbed onto it.

“This is the first time you’ve said anything about your employer,” my mother started.

“That must mean something,” Auntie Frannie supplied, emphasizing that last word. She turned an excited, wide-eyed look toward Mom, and I refrained from rolling my eyes.

Here we go.

“Oh my God, you think so, Frannie?” Mom was animated now.

I exhaled and covered my face with a hand, shaking my head, because I knew this was me falling down a rabbit hole.

“Oh my God, Beanie, I think our little Elise has a boyfriend.”

Oh. God.

“Mom, Auntie Frannie, not only do I not have a boyfriend, but if I did, it definitely wouldn’t be my employer.” My face was on fire as I stared at them.

They didn’t look convinced.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I drilled home.

“No boyfriend?” My mother leaned forward. “I don’t know, Frannie. Did you see the way Elise talked about the billionaire?”

I didn’t hold in my groan.

“What a catch,” my aunt said softly, this dreamy look in her eyes as she gazed off into the yard.

“Okay, I think we are done with this topic.”

Although my aunt and mother wanted to press, and I could clearly see that on their faces, they didn’t say anything more about it, just wore these knowing smiles. I was embarrassed, feeling like I was a specimen under a microscope. What humiliated me the most was the fact that I’d been the one to offer all this up when there wasn’t even anything there between Lucius and me.

Literally nothing but a few stolen glances, some awkward interactions, and a longing in me that would lead to a dead end.

They would let this go for now, but I knew this wasn’t the last time I’d be pressed by them, because it was clear I was lying, and they could see that.

I cleared my throat and picked up my glass of lemonade, taking a long drink as