“We do,” Mom said with that forced smile,even though her words came across as kind. Then Harper smiled—a real smile, not the tense one she’d been wearing since spotting my parents.
“Thank you, Mrs. Dumontier.”
“Ellen,” Mom corrected automatically, though I could tell she immediately regretted the familiarity. “You can call me Ellen.”
As Mom led Harper to the table—with the stiff formality of a hostage negotiation—Dad sidled up beside me, keeping his voice low.
“A Tinsley,” he said, not a question but an accusation. “John Tinsley’s daughter is bringing packages to your door and cooing at my granddaughter? What exactly is going on here, Drew?”
“It’s not what you think,” I said automatically, though I wasn’t entirely sure what he thought. “We got paired together on a huge psychology project, so she’s been coming over here to work on it since it’s easier with Rory.”
Dad’s eyebrow arched so high it nearly disappeared into his hairline. “Watch yourself. That family has been looking for ways to undermine us for three generations. This project of yours could be their newest angle.”
“Dad, it’s just a psychology class.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Just be careful. Tinsleys can’t be trusted.”
I nodded to appease him, but at some point in the last few weeks, I’d stopped believing that particular family mantra.
Dinner was simultaneously better and worse than I’d anticipated.
Better, because Harper was absolutely killing it, somehow managing to navigate the minefield of decades-old family resentment with the grace of a diplomat. She talkedabout her music therapy program with such passion that even Ava couldn’t help leaning forward with interest. She asked thoughtful questions about my parents’ lives in Meadowbrook that carefully skirted any mention of business rivalries, and she complimented my mother’s lasagna with such genuine enthusiasm that Mom’s icy resolve began to crack.
But also worse because the tension was thick enough to cut with a chainsaw, and because every time Harper spoke, my father’s jaw clenched like he was getting dental work without anesthesia.
Then Dad decided to poke the sleeping bear with a stick.
“So, Harper,” he said casually, “heard Tinsley Construction just secured the contract for the new community center outside of Meadowbrook. I thought the town council was above bribes, but apparently not.”
I nearly choked on my water. Ava kicked Dad under the table—I could tell by his slight wince—but he just raised his eyebrows in feigned innocence.
Harper’s smile didn’t waver, though her knuckles turned white around her fork. This conversation was painful, but it was worse knowing what I knew now about her parents’ lack of support for her career choice.
“Phillip,” Mom said in the warning tone that usually preceded household objects being thrown.
“What?” Dad spread his hands like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. “I’m just making conversation.”
“It’s fine,” Harper assured Mom with a smile so gracious I half expected her to sprout wings and a halo. “Our families have a complicated history. But Drew and I have managed to move past it for our project.”
She glanced at me, a silent question in her eyes—wasthis okay to acknowledge? I nodded slightly, weirdly grateful for her honesty and tact.
“Well, I think that’s very mature of both of you,” Mom said firmly, using her I’m-ending-this-conversation-now voice. “Now, who wants tiramisu? I picked it up from that little bakery downtown.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I should probably head home,” Harper said, standing up from the table and taking her dishes to the sink. “I’ve got an early practice session tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you out,” I offered, standing up a bit too quickly. “Mom, can you take Rory for a bit?”
Mom’s face lit up at the opportunity to hold her granddaughter, though her eyes darted between Harper and me with barely concealed curiosity. “Of course! But don’t take too long.”
The underlining meaning was clear—no matter how pleasant dinner had turned out, Harper was still seen as the enemy.
The night air was crisp but not cold, stars just beginning to appear in the darkening sky. Our houses were so close that walking her home was almost ridiculous, but I was grateful for the moment away from my family’s scrutiny.
“Sorry about dinner,” I said as we crossed the small yard. “My dad can be a little too direct.”
Harper smiled, shaking her head. “It’s fine. My parents aren’t exactly subtle about their feelings toward your family either.”
“Still, I’m glad you stayed.”
