Page 60 of Only for the Season

“Parker,” Mom says – the disapproval clear in her voice.

Awesome. There’s no escape. And Mom is in a snarky mood.

“Mom.” I nod and try to keep going. I don’t make it far before Dad places a hand on the cart to stop us.

“Shopping for supplies for your little bakery?” Dad practically sneers his question.

I don’t go for the bait. “Yep.” I try to continue but Dad’s grip on the cart tightens.

“How did you graduate from culinary school without an apprenticeship?” Mom crosses her arms over her chest.

Wonderful. She’s settling in for an argument about my failings in front of Jeremy, the self-made billionaire. These discussions are usually embarrassing enough. Today is going to take the cake. And not the good cake. One of those dry as bone cakes without any yummy frosting.

“The school promised us all graduates would receive apprenticeships,” Dad adds.

I had an apprenticeship. In Paris. No less. At a cute little patisserie I’ve only seen online because guess who’s never visited Paris?

I shrug. “Maybe you should ask them.”

“I’m asking you.”

“I have no answer for you.”

Because I am not explaining to my parents what a complete idiot I was, who got used in the worst possible way. Mom and Dad wouldn’t hesitate to litigate against the asshole. And then the whole world would know what a fool I am. No thanks.

“I have had enough of you, young lady.” Uh oh. Mom’s bringing out the young ladies.

“I’d love to stay and chat but I need to get back to work.”

“Work?” Dad snorts. “You call your little bakery work?”

“Okay. Enough,” Jeremy grumbles and I jump. I forgot he was standing behind me. Witnessing this entire episode. My cheeks darken as embarrassment flows through me.

Dad glares at him. “Who are you?”

Jeremy reaches for my hand and pulls me close. “I’m Parker’s boyfriend and I don’t appreciate your tone when you speak to her.”

Mom sticks her nose in the air. “Parker is our daughter and we’ll speak to her however we want.”

“Wrong.” Jeremy squeezes my hand. “If you can’t treatyourdaughter with respect, this conversation is over.”

“Who do you think you are?” Dad asks.

“I told you. I’m Parker’s boyfriend. I won’t allow you to disrespect her in front of me.”

“Allow us?” Dad snorts. “We’ll do whatever we want.”

Which apparently includes embarrassing their only child in the grocery store. Instead of supporting her and, I don’t know, maybe inviting her to holiday meals once in a while.

“We’re leaving,” Jeremy announces.

Dad’s nostrils flare and his cheeks darken with anger. “You’ll leave when I tell you, you can leave.”

Jeremy chuckles but he is not amused. Quite the opposite. “Go ahead and try to stop me. I have a whole team of lawyers who would love to sue you for wrongful imprisonment.”

Mom’s brow wrinkles. “Team of lawyers? Are you a lawyer?”

Interest sparks in her eyes and I groan. When my parents aren’t blaming me for wasting their money, they’re pushing me to ‘find a good man to keep me’ – since my career is a disaster in their opinion.