Chapter 16

"You met through work then?" Aunt Lisa asks Elliot.

My family approaches the end of their dinner, wine glasses nearly empty, and plates picked clean. I push a stray piece of chicken around on my plate with the tip of my fork, wanting to avoid eye contact with my mother whose gaze I can still feel burning into me. Anna has joined us and is seated on Elliot's other side.

He nods and sets his drink down on the white tablecloth. "Kristine was assisting on one of my legal cases, very thoroughly might I add, and, well, here we are." He rests his arm on the back of my chair, his fingers gently rub my back, tracing in circles.

"We obviously waited until after I was finished with the case.," I interject, dropping the fork onto the plate. I cringe as it clatters against the ceramic. "It-–it wouldn't have been right otherwise. You know, boundaries."

"Oh yes, Kristine insisted on being professional about it." He laughs.

"I'm so glad you're able to join us." Anna smiles at him. "Had I known you