The Beard

Twenty-Eight

It was an intimate gathering at the backyard table: Y/N, Elizabeth, Dominic, and Sarah. Despite the cozy atmosphere, Elizabeth couldn't shake the feeling of being under a microscope.

Sarah, seated at the head of the table, was every bit the composed matriarch, her sharp gaze darting between Elizabeth and Y/N. Dominic tried to lighten the mood with a story about a runaway horse earlier that week, but Sarah quickly redirected the conversation.

"So, Elizabeth," Sarah began, her tone sweet but laced with curiosity. "Tell me about yourself. Dominic mentioned you're an actress?"

Elizabeth set down her glass of water, feeling the weight of Sarah's stare. "Yes, I've been acting since I was a teenager. It's something I've always loved."

"Fascinating," Sarah said, her lips curving into a tight smile. "And your family? Are they involved in the industry as well?"

Elizabeth hesitated. "My older sisters are actresses, My Dad is a real estate agent and my mom is an accountant"

Sarah's brow arched ever so slightly. "Impressive. So you're... what they call 'new money'?"

The words hung in the air, subtle but cutting. Elizabeth felt the back of her neck heat. "I suppose you could put it that way. My family worked hard for everything we have."

Dominic cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation. "Lizzie's family is highly respected in Hollywood, Mom. They've contributed a lot to the industry."

Sarah gave a noncommittal hum and turned her attention to Y/N. "And you? How's life as one of the St. Jameses these days? Still basking in the spotlight?"

Y/N's jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. "Not really. I've been focusing on myself lately. This may very well be my last season playing for the Dodgers."

Sarah's gaze softened for a moment, but then she returned to Elizabeth. "And how do you handle the pressure of the spotlight? Dating Y/N must add... its own challenges."

Elizabeth straightened in her chair. "It has its moments, but Y/N and I are a team. We support each other."

Sarah's smile didn't reach her eyes. "That's good to hear. It's important to have someone solid to lean on."

"Dominic mentioned you grew up here on the ranch. Did you always live in Georgia, Mrs.Jamison"

Sarah chuckled lightly, swirling her wine. "Not always. I was born in New York. My parents—Cecelia and John—were very much the city types. But I hated it. Too much noise, too many people."

She glanced at Y/N briefly, as if gauging her reaction, before continuing. "When I was 15, my parents sent me here for the summer. They thought I needed to 'get in touch with my roots.' That's when I met Matthew Sullivan, a busboy working here at the Ranch at the time. A few months later, I was pregnant with Dominic."

Elizabeth blinked in surprise but quickly masked her expression. "That must have been a lot to handle at such a young age."

"It was," Sarah admitted. "But I loved him, and I loved this place. I stayed in Savannah and raised Dominic with Matthew, we broke up a few months after Dominic was born, ans then less than a year later, I got pregnant with Y/N."

Sarah paused, her gaze softening as she looked at her daughter. "I tried my best, but I was still a kid myself. Celia stepped in when Y/N was about four. She brought her to Los Angeles, gave her opportunities I never could have. Y/N was exceptional at Sports, we thought she would be a football player but she chose baseball instead."

Sarah smirked " and she's done great, she's a great baseball player, she's worth billions of dollars, she has a great friend group, she got to experience true and authentic love with Taylor. and now she has you Elizabeth. A delightful woman to keep her company before Taylor comes back."

Y/N stood up and slammed her hand on the table. " do NOT disrespect Elizabeth like that! And STOP talking about Taylor! She's not here Sarah! Elizabeth is and I'm happy with Elizabeth!" Y/N snapped

Sarah raised an eyebrow "oh really? Because if I'm not mistaken, three months ago, you were driving around Paris with a Karlie Kloss on your arm. How can you love Elizabeth if you have hardly given her a chance? How can you love her if you bounce from woman to woman Y/N? You don't love her. You are just terrified of being alone."