Just a Matter of Time

Elisha

"Miss Jane, this steak is amazing!" I said, taking a moment to savor the perfectly cooked meat as everyone around the table nodded in agreement, savoring each bite.

"Elisha, thank you dear," Mrs. Williams replied with a warm laugh, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at Elisha.

He gave a polite smile. "Your dinners are always my favorite," Elisha joked back, and Amaras mom chuckled, clearly enjoying the playful exchange.

Amara's father took a sip of his wine, then turned to Elisha with a more serious expression. "Elisha, I've been having some back pain. Can I swing by your office later this week?"

Amara gave her father an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Dad. You never ask me for anything, but you're always going to Elisha with your aches and pains. It's like I'm chopped liver!"

Her father chuckled, clearly amused by her dramatic flair. "Well, someone has to keep Elisha on his toes. And you're really good at it," he said, giving her a playful nudge.

"Amara leave the care giving to Elisha, you could barely keep your pet hamster alive" her brother joked causing Amara to stare death threats in his eyes

"Just once, could you guys not turn everything into an opportunity for Elisha to play doctor? It's like I'm invisible around here." Amara dragged.

I laughed, catching her playful mood. "Well, I'm flattered to be your go-to for all things medical. But I'll do my best to make sure you get a fair share of attention too."

"Thank you," Amara said with a mock-serious tone.

The evening was going smoothly, filled with laughter and the delightful clinking of cutlery as everyone enjoyed Mrs. Williams' amazing steak. I was savoring every bite, grateful for the warmth and camaraderie around the table.

Just as the conversation was settling into an easy rhythm, the doorbell rang, cutting through the cheerful noise. I glanced at the clock, noting it was well past the expected time. Amara stood up with a slight sigh and made her way to the door.

When she opened it, I could see the tension in her posture immediately. Eric stood there, looking a bit flustered and out of sorts. He must have realized he was significantly late. "Eric," Amara said, her voice a mix of surprise and irritation.

"You're finally here. We were starting to wonder if you were coming at all." Eric flashed a somewhat apologetic smile.

"Sorry I'm late, Got caught up with some things." Amara's face tightened just a bit, but she masked it quickly, putting on a tight-lipped smile.

"Well, don't just stand there. Come on in." Eric stepped inside, and Mrs. Williams greeted him warmly, her earlier worry replaced by genuine pleasure. "Eric! We're glad you could join us."

"Thanks, Mrs. Williams," Eric replied, trying to ease the situation. "I didn't mean to keep everyone waiting." Amara's father gestured to an empty seat. "Please, have a seat. We were just enjoying a wonderful dinner." I noticed Amara take a deep breath, her smile a bit too bright, as though she was working hard to maintain a polite facade.

As Eric settled into his seat, Amara's parents wasted no time in catching up with him. Their curiosity was evident as they peppered him with questions. "So, Eric," Mrs. Williams began, her eyes sparkling with interest, "we hardly ever see you since you're always traveling. What's been keeping you so busy?"

Eric smiled smoothly, though there was a hint of discomfort in his eyes. "Oh, you know how it is. Just a lot of business trips and networking. I've been involved in a few new ventures—nothing too exciting, just the usual grind."

Amara's father leaned in, clearly eager for more details. "Anything new at the hospital?"

Eric cleared his throat, clearly improvising. "Well, I'm working on expanding some research overseas. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but it's all going according to plan."

As Eric spoke, he glanced around the table and seemed momentarily thrown when he saw me. His eyes widened slightly, and a fleeting expression of surprise crossed his face before he quickly composed himself.  "Elisha?" I raised an eyebrow, noting his shift in demeanor.

"Yes, I'm here. I didn't expect my presence to be such a surprise." Eric's smile faltered for a brief second before he recovered. "I wasn't aware you'd be joining us tonight."

Amara's gaze flickered between Eric and me, and she gave a small, nod. "Elisha and I have been catching up, so he came along. He just got back from Germany."

Eric's realization seemed to hit him, and he adjusted his posture slightly. "Ah, I see. Well, it's good to have you back. I suppose you must have driven Amara here, then?"

I nodded, my expression neutral. "That's right."

Eric gave a forced laugh, his demeanor more relaxed now, though there was a subtle edge to his tone. "It seems I missed quite a bit. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"No interruption at all," Mrs. Williams said cheerfully, eager to steer the conversation back on track. "We're just happy to have you here, Eric."

As Eric continued to field questions and spin his tales, his earlier surprise was masked by a veneer of casual charm.

Despite his attempts to smooth over the awkwardness, I could sense the underlying tension. Amara's parents, oblivious to the subtle dynamics, continued to engage Eric with genuine interest, while I watched, curious.

"So, Eric," James began, his tone casual but carrying a hint of curiosity, "have you and Amara thought about picking a wedding date yet? It seems like that's been on hold for a while."

The question hung in the air, and Amara's fork paused mid-air. I could see her bristle slightly, though she quickly masked her reaction with a forced smile.

Eric, momentarily taken aback, cleared his throat. "Well, we've been so wrapped up in work and travel that we haven't nailed down a specific date yet. It's still something we're discussing." James nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, but the room's atmosphere shifted slightly.

Amara's face tightened as she shot a few slick comments under her breath. "Discussing," Amara murmured, her voice barely audible.

Eric's smile faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered with practiced ease. "Balancing work and personal life can be tricky. We want to make sure everything is perfect before setting a date."

Amara's father, sensing the undercurrent of tension, chimed in to lighten the mood. "I'm sure you two will figure it out. It's just a matter of finding the right time."

"Exactly," Eric agreed, though his tone was slightly defensive. James, seemingly oblivious to the tension, nodded. "I'm sure it'll be a great event whenever you decide to set the date."

Amara gave a tight-lipped smile, her eyes briefly meeting mine. I could see the irritation behind her calm facade. She excused herself for a moment, making her way to the kitchen with a practiced grace, but not before muttering under her breath, As she walked away, the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, though the subtle tension remained.