“Brenden, who picked out these tablecloths? I don’t think they’re the best quality linens.” Elise runs a finger over the cloth as we sit at one of the inn’s dining room tables, waiting for lunch to be served.

I fight both the urge to roll my eyes and the urge to cower under the criticism. It’s not hard to figure out where some of my insecurities stem from.

“I think they go well with the rest of the room’s décor,” I say, defending my choice. Because it’s my choice. It’s my inn.

That they helped pay for.

“Surely you could find someone to make these for you in the same pattern but with better material. It’s worth the extra expense.”

“I’ll look into it,” I tell her, even though I have no intention of doing that.

I subtly check my phone for the time, wishing May were here. But unfortunately, she’s back at school today, meaning it’s up to me to entertain her grandparents on my own. I tried to convince her to take a few more days off, ready to write her a note feigning illness, but my little smartypants wasn’t having it.

My excuse of having to work only gets me so far when Elise and Grant insist on coming here to have lunch with me.

Thankfully Addison appears before Elise can find something else to criticize, strolling out of the kitchen with three plates of food balanced on her arms. She could’ve sent out a server, but I know she’s trying to make the best possible impression on these two for my sake. Even through her own panicked state over everything going on, she’s already noticed how tense having them here makes me.

This morning when I lamented to her about how I’d have to take a break to eat with them, she actually stepped away from her food prep long enough to awkwardly give me a few pats on the back. So I think I’m wearing her down on the friendship front. Me being a mess has seemed to make her like me more. I’ll take it as a win, I guess.

“This all looks wonderful,” Elise says, taking in the fancy lunches Addison whipped up for us. I revel in the praise, even if it’s more a compliment for my chef than for me.

Already digging into his food the moment Addison leaves the table, Grant asks, “Will we be seeing Travis again tonight?”

“Yes, you told him he needs to come for game and movie night, didn’t you?” Elise says.

“He’ll be there. He’s looking forward to it.”

That last part is a big fat lie, but he did promise to get coverage for the diner’s dinner shift so he could make it.