Chapter 26 - eliza refused to audition for the role vanessa once tried to takeAvice waited two months before meeting Eliza.
Cesare approved of the delay.
Julian hated it.
He did not say so.
Progress.
The meeting happened at a bookstore café.
Public.
Short.
No forced dinner.
No Hale Foundation event.
No elaborate gift.
Eliza arrived carrying nothing.
Avice noticed.
“You didn’t bring me a present.”
Julian nearly died.
Eliza smiled.
“I thought about it.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I didn’t want you to think you had to like me because I bought something.”
Avice considered.
“Good.”
Julian stared at his coffee.
Eliza asked Avice about the book she was holding.
Not school.
Not Caroline.
Not the gala.
Not Vanessa.
Avice talked about sharks for seventeen minutes.
Eliza listened.
Then Avice abruptly asked:
“Do you want to marry my dad?”
Julian choked.
Eliza did not.
“Maybe someday.”
“Do you want a baby?”
Julian closed his eyes.
Eliza answered.
“Maybe someday.”
Avice’s face changed.
Eliza noticed.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Julian started to speak.
Eliza raised one hand slightly.
Not silencing.
Waiting.
Avice looked at her.
“Vanessa wanted a baby.”
“I know.”
“Then I didn’t matter.”
Eliza’s expression softened.
“I know that happened.”
“You don’t know.”
The words were sharp.
Julian tensed.
Eliza nodded.
“You’re right.”
Avice blinked.
“I know the story.”
Eliza continued.
“I don’t know what it felt like to be you.”
Avice looked down.
That answer changed something.
Vanessa had always told Avice what she felt.
Too emotional.
Jealous.
Confused.
Difficult.
Eliza did not.
Avice asked:
“If you had a baby, would I have to call you Mom?”
“No.”
“Would you move Mom’s picture?”
“No.”
“Would you tell me the baby is the future?”
Eliza’s face hardened.
“No.”
Julian looked at her.
The certainty mattered.
Avice asked one last question.
“What would you call me?”
Eliza smiled slightly.
“Avice.”
That was the right answer.
After forty minutes Avice stood.
“I’m ready to go.”
Julian immediately reached for his coat.
Eliza did not look disappointed.
Outside, Avice whispered:
“She’s okay.”
Julian almost smiled.
Then Avice continued.
“So far.”
He nodded.
“So far.”
Six months later Avice invited Eliza to her school art show.
Not Julian.
May you like
Avice.
That distinction meant more than anyone said.
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