“So, what you’re saying is … this will be the most awkward dinner ever.”

“Pretty much.”

“I’m in,” he said, standing.

I smiled, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. “Yeah?”

“Of course. Gotta meet the in-laws. Looking forward to all of those judgey eyes and questions about my meager salary.”

“Glad you know what to expect.”

He leaned over and kissed my cheek, waving before he rounded the corner. “Love you!” he called back just before the door chimed.

“We don’t love you back!” Jojo yelled.

The room was quiet except for the forks scraping against the plates and Daddy sipping his water from a wine glass. Felix was standing by the door like a militant waiting for Tyler or me to attempt escape, and mother hadn’t looked me in the eye since we’d arrived.

Finley was busy texting on her phone, just as embarrassed to be in the same room with Tyler as he was with her.

Sally looked up to wink at me occasionally to make sure I wasn’t too stressed. Tyler was cutting through his lamb shank, happily eating the fourth course of a five-course dinner.

“Ellison,” Mother began in her voice that warned of impending doom. “Your father has spoken with the board, and they’re very interested in using your newfound talents within the company. I’m sure you’ll find the salary very agreeable in comparison with your current pay.”

I swallowed quickly, and then cleared my throat. “I like the job I have now.”

“You can do the same job at Edson Tech, sweetheart,” she said.

“I can’t hike mountains and photograph wildfires at Edson Tech.”

Mother pursed her lips, deepening the wrinkles around her mouth. “Precisely. Your father and I feel that your higher wages will better assist with the cost of your new condo, and—”

“Uh … you insisted on that condo, and I complied.”

“But it still costs money, dear. Money that, as an adult, you should provide.”

“I was living in a great apartment that I could afford.”

“We agreed a move would help create the feeling of a fresh start.”

“I could have found a more affordable apartment, I—”

“Meredith,” Sally interjected. I had grown to love her calm, soothing voice—a voice I once believed was manipulative and fake. Now that she was someone I trusted to call when in trouble, Daddy thought it would be a good idea to hire her back “Ellison likes the job she has now. It might be counterproductive to her path to wellness if we pull her away from a place where she feels comfortable and push her into an employment that may pay more, but is something she’s not quite as happy with.”

“She’ll like it just fine,” Mother said, blatantly dismissive.

“Meredith,” Daddy began.