Page 36 of More Than Nothing
Just once.
Thea (Roman):
Please
Your family will hate me.
Damn. Why had she sent that?
It was her biggest fear. Even bigger than inciting Frank’s wrath. Roman answered immediately.
Thea (Roman):
Unlikely
“He’s right.” Summer’s quiet voice behind her made Elenie start. “Sorry for reading over your shoulder but I totally think you should.”
She sat down, dropping a cute corduroy tote bag onto the floor.
“Should what?” Caitlyn—louder, bolder—pulled one of the remaining chairs out far enough to leave room for her stomach and sank into it with a huff. “What have I missed?”
“An invitation from the chief to join the Martinez family for Sunday lunch,” Summer told her.
“You should go. It’s a thing they do. Roman’s probably been given an open invitation to bring whoever he likes. Milo and I will be there.” Caitlyn sounded so matter-of-fact it took Elenie aback.
“But they don’t know me.”
“Strangers are just people the Martinez family haven’t met yet. They’re pathologically friendly.” Caitlyn shed her cardigan and looked around. “I wonder if they’d boost the air conditioning in here if I asked?”
“I can see why you might be worried.” Summer brought the conversation back to Elenie. “But they’re really nice people. Dougie and I went a couple of weeks ago. It’s usually ‘the more, the merrier’ in the Martinez house.”
“I just... don’t know. I can’t see why they would want me there.”
Caitlyn fixed her with a steady look. “How will people see you differently if you don’t give them the chance?”
Elenie glanced away. “I don’t remember anyone giving me much of a chance.”
“That’s a fair point. But maybe this would be a good place to start.” Caitlyn leaned back in her chair, her hands on her bump. “It isn’t really you that people object to, anyway. Not the real you. Just the connection to your family. At least, it was for me. Summer, too. You’ve just ended up as collateral.”
Summer nodded, chewing her lip. “I assumed you were like them.”
“It’s OK. I get it. I’ve always got it. But I’m hardly the poster girl for someone you want to introduce to your parents. Especially right now.” Elenie circled a self-conscious finger around her face. The girls exchanged sober glances and Elenie’s cheeks heated.
“Was it Craig?” Caitlyn asked.
“No.” Elenie kept her eyes on her empty mug. “I pissed off my stepfather by talking to Roman at the fair. Another reason to bail on the lunch invite.”
Summer laid her hand on Elenie’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“None of us were gossiping, I swear to you, but Milo told me you were hurt,” Caitlyn admitted. “Roman was on the warpath about it and it’s not often Ro shows his emotions. He wanted info on Craig Perry because of what happened in the Barrel.”
“How are you feeling?” Summer asked.
“I’m fine, thanks,” Elenie lied.
“You know Roman’s folks live at the back end of town? Milo and I could pick you up and either stop for Ro on the way or see him there. It would just look like you were going out with us,” Caitlyn offered.
“It’s madness. Seriously, the guy could take his pick from anyone else in Pine Springs. I don’t understand why he’s asking me.” She tried to explain her doubts. The fear of Frank finding out was a whole other matter. It curdled in her stomach like spoiled milk.
