Page 50 of Decoding Emma

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By Thursday, I wanted to pull my hair out.Not only could I not get the app to run right after the customization for R&D, but my mother had called me yet again.I really didn’t want to deal with her, but she’d just keep calling.Luckily, when she called the next time, I was alone in the office after Asher ran up to talk with Lucas.

“Yes, Mother.”

“You finally answered.I’ve left you voice mails.”

“I know.I’ve been busy with work.”It was the truth, but also, I’d been ignoring her.

“Your father and I will be hosting a fundraiser Saturday at the Seattle house; we expect you to make an appearance.”

I sighed as I lowered my head and rested my forehead on the desk.Not exactly banging my head on the desk to make this stop but close enough.Damn it!Does this crap never end?“You know I dislike them.”Why couldn’t I tell her no?I was an adult.Maybe because she was my mother?

“Just make an appearance with us, then you can leave.An hour tops.”

Like I believed that.My parents would drag me around, introducing me to everyone as their successful daughter.They didn’t even know what I did for a living.

“One hour, that’s all.”

“I’ll send you the details along with your invitation.You’ll need that to get in.Bye.”

Great.Another exclusive party.A headache in the making.I put the cellphone back on the desk, screen down.Better than throwing it across the room.

“You okay?”Asher asked.

I jumped.“When did you get back?”Damn, how much of the call did he hear?

“A few minutes ago.I didn’t want to disturb you since you were on the phone.”Asher took his usual seat next to me.“Want to talk about it?”

I’d been avoiding this conversation since Monday.Maybe it was time to have it, especially since we were the only two in the office.I didn’t want to do this at work, but it was probably for the best.

“That was my mother.”

Asher nodded.

“Remember when I mentioned last Friday that my parents wanted me to attend an event with them?”

“Yes, you said that’s why you were in a bad mood.”

“Yeah.Well, the event is Saturday night, and I’m expected to attend.”Must not grind teeth, must not grind…

“You would prefer not to?”

I raised my hand and pointed at Asher.“Ding, ding, ding.We have a winner.”Angry and frustrated just about covered my headspace right now.“Let me explain my family to you.First, you might have heard of my parents, Roger and Victoria Palmer.”

Asher didn’t say anything, but I could tell he was thinking.“The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it.”

“Palmer Logistics.Dad’s first, best adored child.”

Asher blinked, and I watched as the lightbulb came on and his mouth opened.“Palmer Logistics?As in the computer chip manufacturer and applied technologies?”

“Yep.”I gave myself a pat on the back for eliminating sarcasm from my tone.

“Why aren’t you working for him?”

Seriously?“No way.”Work with my father?Hell, no.We had different philosophies on a lot of things, including business.“Trust me, that would end up with one of us murdering the other.”

“Go on.”