Page 104 of Only for the Season

He squirms in his seat. “Yes, well.”

“And I don’t need a boyfriend to solve my problems. I’m a grown ass woman. I can solve my own problems.”

Mom purses her lips. “And yet you didn’t get an internship after finishing culinary school despite graduating at the top of your class.”

“For mermaid’s sake!” I explode. “You want to know why I didn’t get an internship? I’ll tell you. Because some asshole son of a billionaire stole my place.”

Dad scowls. “Why didn’t you tell us? We would have litigated.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. I had no interest in drawing out the entire mess with a lawsuit. I let karma do its work.”

Mom rolls her eyes. “Litigation is more successful than karma.”

I study her and suddenly something clicks in my mind. A thought I’ve been burying deep inside for a very long time. “You’re never going to approve of me, are you? I could pay back all the money you spent on culinary school for me and you still wouldn’t love me.”

“We love you. You’re our daughter,” Dad claims.

“You have a funny way of showing it.” I tap the newspaper clipping.

“He’s cheating on you. We wanted you to know.”

“Bullshit. Do you think I’m stupid? This photograph isn’t recent. Jeremy’s hair is much longer than it is now, and this supermodel fell from grace years ago when she was arrested for driving under the influence.”

Dad suddenly finds the floor fascinating while Mom becomes obsessed with her nails. Their actions scream guilty.

“I’m such an idiot. I thought you came here to invite me to Christmas dinner.”

“We’re having dinner at the resort. The reservation is for two.”

“I figured as much,” I mutter.

“But I did speak to Hudson, he still hasn’t found a pastry chef,” Dad says.

I should have known. My parents and their obsession with prestige strikes again. I stand. “Goodbye.”

“This is the thanks we get for raising you,” Mom mutters.

Raising me? I spent my childhood with nannies and babysitters. Mom and Dad were always busy building their orthodontic practice. I thought they were hard workers. But now I realize they just couldn’t be bothered with me.

I don’t say a word as I make my way through the bakery to the kitchen. My timer goes off and I get to work. Except my hands shake. I drop the cookie tray on the prep table.

I can’t believe I ever thought I could earn their approval or their love. I’m done trying.

Holly bustles in from the café. “Let me finish the baking.”

“You’re needed out front.”

“I closed the café an hour early. The customers helped me clean up.”

“They did?”

“After they ran your parents out.”

My parents. My bottom lip trembles, and my eyes swell with unshed tears. I thought they were merely disappointed in me before. Disappointed would be better than the cruelty they’ve shown me today.

Holly releases Viking from his cage and hands him to me. “Go upstairs to the loft. I’ve got this handled.”

I try to thank her but I’m afraid if I speak, the tears I’m holding back will burst out. I nod instead.