Emberlynn always hated the smell of paint and old brushes, so visits to her Opa Devin’s art studio were rare occurrences. But when she did decide to visit, the beautiful view always made up for it. And that evening was no exception.

She let her eyes take in the bright colors and gorgeous paintings (some of them not even quite finished yet) while her grandfather considered her question. She’d always admired his talent.

“Hmm… Romeo and Juliet?” At last, he spoke. “That’d be Renaissance… Not exactly my specialty, unfortunately.”

“That’s okay.” Emberlynn assured him. “I’m just looking for a little inspiration, I guess? Charlotte called my latest designs ‘lifeless’.” She added, rolling her eyes.

“This Charlotte sounds like a real piece of work…”

“Trust me, I know.”

“Well, let me take a look. I’ve got tons of old art books lying around here. I’m sure we can find something to help add a little ‘life’.” Devin smiled warmly at her.

Emberlynn returned the gesture gratefully. “Thanks, Opa.”

Before Devin could reply, Gigi appeared in the doorway, knocking softly against the doorframe. “Dinner’s ready, guys!”

Emberlynn eagerly followed her mother back out into the dining room. Though she’d probably never admit it out loud to anyone, she always looked forward to having dinner at her parents’ house. It brought back so many fond memories from her childhood.

For all the petty arguments they had with each other over the years, her parents never argued at the dinner table. It was like some unspoken rule between them — dinner time with the family was sacred. Even if they’d been holed up in Gigi’s office having a screaming match earlier that day, none of it seemed to matter as soon as they sat down at the table. It was all smiles and jokes and funny stories. And Emberlynn loved it.

Her nostalgia was almost enough to make her forget how annoyed and angry she was at her parents right now. Part of her knew that her anger was misplaced anyway. They hadn’t actually done anything. But it was too easy to group them together with Xander’s mother, in her mind. Whatever her issue was, they were part of it too. Emberlynn just wished she knew what it was.

Guess I’ll find out this weekend… Lola was set to arrive in just three days’ time. And neither Emberlynn nor Xander had a clue what to expect when she finally did.

“So how’s work on the new production going?” Harper asked her granddaughter kindly as soon as they had all begun eating. “You said it was Hamlet, right?”

She shook her head, trying to chase the thoughts of Xander’s mother out of her mind. “Romeo and Juliet.”

Her grandmother’s eyes lit up. “Oh! My Oma directed a beautiful production of that once.”

“She did?”

Harper nodded. “She was retired by the time I was old enough to hear about any of it, but she used to love showing me pictures when I was little. I bet I can dig some up, if you want.”

Emberlynn smiled gratefully. “That would be amazing! I could totally use the inspiration.”

“Mmm… Let’s see Charlotte try and criticize those designs.” Phoenix laughed as he took another bite of his food. “Not that you’d outright copy them or anything.” He added. “But I can’t imagine she’d have a problem with taking some inspiration from a classic production.”

“Then you don’t know Charlotte well enough, Papa. She’ll always find a problem with something.” Emberlynn sighed in annoyance as she spoke. “But I’d really appreciate that, Oma.” She added, turning back to address Harper once more.

Gigi smiled warmly at Emberlynn. “I’m just glad things are still going so well for you, sweetie. And did you hear? Tristan got his grades back from last semester, and they were amazing!” She beamed proudly at her son as she spoke.

Tristan rolled his eyes. Clearly this hadn’t been the first time she’d embarrassed him by gushing about his good grades. “Yeah, yeah… Why don’t you buy me a medal or something, Mama?”

“Ooh! And then we could make him wear it everywhere!” Phoenix smiled teasingly. “Sounds like a plan, don’t you think Gigi?”

She giggled at her husband’s suggestion. “Perfect! I’ll head down to the jeweler in the morning.”

“You guys are so freaking lame.” Despite his annoyance, the edge of Tristan’s lip twitched into a slight smile as he stabbed another bite of food with his fork. Emberlynn knew that he loved seeing their parents get along just as much as she did, even if it was at his own expense.

The conversation shifted for a few minutes to the book Harper had been working on, until the family lapsed into a brief silence. Emberlynn ate the last few bites of her meal happily, grateful that she’d been able to forget all the frustration and turmoil she’d been feeling about Xander and Lola, at least for a little while.

But of course, as luck would have it, no sooner had this thought crossed her mind than the peaceful silence was broken.

“So Ember, I’d meant to ask you…” Tristan turned to address his sister as he shoveled more food into his mouth. “Who’s that guy you keep hanging out with?”

Emberlynn nearly choked on her food. That little shit. “Who?” She managed to gasp as she forcefully swallowed her final bite to avoid choking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“He’s been in a bunch of your pictures on your Instagram story and stuff.” Her brother shrugged. “You guys seem pretty, uh, friendly. So I was just curious.”

Damn it! I knew posting those was a terrible idea… “Oh, him? J-just a friend. Xander.” She replied hastily, not even thinking of coming up with a fake name.

“Oh, right! That YouTube guy!” Tristan’s eyes lit up in recognition. “I thought he looked familiar.”

Emberlynn gave him a sharp kick underneath the table. Her little brother winced in pain and shrugged almost helplessly at her. Clearly he had no idea what he was doing wrong. Ugh! Why does the little twerp choose NOW to suddenly be interested in my love life?!

“Thanks for dinner, Mama. It was great!” Emberlynn’s smile was a bit too cheerful as she turned her attention back to her mother. “Do you need help clearing the table?”

Gigi shook her head. “Nah, it can wait. I’d much rather hear about this ‘YouTube guy’… Xander, huh?” She smiled playfully at her daughter.

“Yeah, tell us more about this ‘friend’ of yours…” Phoenix added, joining in his wife’s teasing.

Emberlynn glanced desperately in her grandmother’s direction for a moment, but Harper just gave her a shrug and a smile. Of course, she had no idea what was going on, or why Emberlynn was so desperate that her parents not find out about her boyfriend. Why would she be?

“Like I said, he’s just a friend.” Emberlynn replied firmly. “It’s not a big deal.”

A look of recognition suddenly came to her father’s face. “Oh, this is that guy who’s studying in Paris, right? The American?”

“Mmm-hmm… That’s him.” Emberlynn muttered uncomfortably. She’d forgotten that her parents already knew a little bit about him.

“An American YouTuber in Paris… Wasn’t that an old movie or something?” Devin asked with a smirk, joining in on the teasing as well.

Emberlynn wished she could slide underneath the table and disappear. She’d always had a fun and teasing sort of relationship with her family. Normally this type of playful banter wouldn’t get to her, but not this time. Ugh. Will they please stop talking about him?!

The longer they talked about Xander, the more they’d want to know about him. And the more they learned about him… Well, if Lola’s bizarre overreaction was any indication, it wouldn’t be pretty.

Thankfully her father, at least, seemed to register her discomfort. “Hey, we’re just teasing, honey.” He assured her. “But if you and this Xander guy are really as ‘friendly’ as Tristan says…” For a moment, he shot a glance in his son’s direction. “We wouldn’t mind knowing a little more about him?” He offered gently.

Emberlynn bit her lip and sunk lower into her chair, unsure of how to respond. Should she dodge the question entirely? Outright lie? Give vague answers?

Before she could make up her mind, the shrill ringing of her father’s cell phone filled the air. Emberlynn let out a sigh of relief at the sound.

“Who’s calling this late?” Phoenix muttered as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone.

No idea, but whoever it is, I owe them. Emberlynn thought gratefully.

But then she saw the look on her father’s face as he glanced down at the phone screen. In just a few seconds’ time, his expression seemed to flicker between surprise, confusion, and concern. Emberlynn’s heart sank at the sight. Uh oh… This can’t be good.

The phone continued ringing in his hand as Phoenix stared at the caller ID, unmoving. It almost looked like he was going to be sick.

“Aren’t you gonna answer that?” Gigi snapped impatiently at her husband as the phone rang yet again.

“Y-yeah… Excuse me. I’ll… I’ll be right back.” Phoenix practically leapt to his feet then, retreating from the room with the phone still ringing in his hands.

Barely a second after he’d disappeared, Emberlynn rose to her feet as well. “May I be excused?” She asked weakly.

Her mother glanced up at her, the last traces of annoyance at her husband finally melting from her face. “Sure… But this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook about this ‘friend’ of yours.” She added teasingly.

Emberlynn left the room without responding, carefully following her father’s path down to the basement. He’d tucked himself away in the basement office he and Gigi often shared. She paused as soon as she could make out Phoenix’s voice. It sounded like he was arguing with someone… In English.

“…hell is going on?! It’s been over twenty fucking years and now you — What? What are you talking about?”

Emberlynn felt her heart pounding in her chest. Was that really who she thought it was? It couldn’t be… Could it?

She was brought back to the present by the sound of her father’s panicked voice once more. And unfortunately, his next words confirmed her worst fear. “Lola just — just slow down, okay? I — Hold on a second…”

Oh shit. At the sound of Lola’s name, an audible gasp had passed Emberlynn’s lips.

And unfortunately, her father had heard her. Phoenix crossed the room with what felt like super-human speed, leaving the phone on the desk behind him.

“Emberlynn, go back upstairs.” Despite his unusually calm expression, his voice shook with every word. In fact, his hands appeared to be trembling too. “Now.”

“Papa, is everything okay?” Emberlynn asked, terrified. “I —”

“Go.” Phoenix repeated firmly. “Please. Just go.”

He slammed the door in her face without another word.