Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Eloise struggles with hotel staffing and mounting family pressure, lying to avoid dinners until her parents push for a ranch gathering. She agrees and also concedes to a disruptive staffing swap for her mother. At home, Jasper resists meeting the family but, after Eloise insists, admits discomfort and ultimately agrees to attend.
Summary
Eloise finalizes a complex summer schedule at The Eloise, worrying about staffing gaps and craving a rare day off with Jasper as she grows attached despite their temporary marriage. She has avoided family dinners and local scrutiny, missing her sister Lyla and feeling guilty for ongoing lies.
Her parents appear at the hotel, inviting Eloise and Jasper to dinner at Knuckles. Eloise lies about a headache and proposes a rain check, leading to a larger family dinner at the ranch the next night. Her mother also asks to swap a housekeeper’s shifts so Brittany can clean their home, and Eloise, though frustrated, agrees to overhaul the schedule again.
At the A-frame, Eloise finds Jasper cooking; he and Foster have finished clearing her old house. When Eloise says they need to attend the ranch dinner, Jasper balks at family functions. She presses—teasing about their sexual openness and recounting a disastrous past date—to argue he could redeem her family’s opinion of her choices.
Jasper urges keeping distance because he’ll be gone in a few months, revealing discomfort with families. Eloise insists he promised to help make their marriage appear real. After a standoff, Jasper concedes, acknowledging his struggle but agreeing to go. Eloise hopes her family will like him, at least for now.
Who Appears
- Eloise EdenHotel manager overwhelmed by staffing; lies to parents; arranges a ranch family dinner and persuades Jasper to attend.
- Jasper ValeReluctant about family events; cooks dinner; helped clear Eloise’s old house; finally agrees to attend the ranch dinner.
- Eloise’s motherInvites the couple to dinner; requests a schedule swap so Brittany can clean their house.
- Eloise’s fatherArrives with Eloise’s mother; disappointed and skeptical; pushes for the family dinner.
- Foster MaddenHelps Jasper haul Eloise’s remaining furniture from her old house.
- BrittanyHousekeeper whose schedule Eloise must rearrange to accommodate cleaning at Eloise’s parents’ home.