Page 117 of Return to Us
Jessica smiles warmly. “It’s nice to see you as well.”
“Dinner is ready, we were hoping to have drinks first, but since you were late, we’ll just have to drink during.” She looks at me with obvious disappointment.
“Amelia took a bit longer to get settled with Stella.”
She purses her lips. “Yes, well, I can understand that, I guess. As much as I hoped you’d bring her, it’s probably best she’s not here.”
“Oh, good, so there will be bloodshed tonight on the menu.”
Jessica’s eyes flash with anger as she looks at me. I shrug. It’s true, and I’m not going to let her or my father say anything disparaging where Amelia might hear. She has no idea about my last dinner here, and I’d like to keep it that way.
“All right, let’s eat,” my father says as the tension builds. “Jessica, can I lead you in?” He extends his arm to Jessica, and she takes it.
I do the same for my mother.
The table is set, food already plated. Lord knows my mother had the cook prepare the meal because she hasn’t made a meal in years.
We sit, my parents at the heads of the table and Jessica and I across from one another. At least I can focus on her.
My father smiles, pours us all a glass of wine, and lifts his glass. “To family and reconnections.”
My mother lets out a maniacal laugh. “Oh, how fitting, Mitchell.”
We all raise our glass along with him, Jess and I give each other a look.
There is an eerie silence around us. One that causes every fight or flight instinct to scream out. I don’t know what’s going on, why they were adamant about a dinner, but it feels... odd.
Jessica lifts her eyes to me a few times, giving me a look that says she’s uncomfortable with it too.
I put my fork down and clear my throat. “I’m assuming you wanted us here for a reason?”
Mom pats her lips. “Yes. Your father and I want to discuss a situation.”
“You mean Jessica and I?”
“Not that we have an issue with it,” Dad cuts in. “I think we just want to know what it all means. You’re due to inherit your portion of the Park Inn Enterprises, and Jessica is aware of that.”
“Of course I am, but that has nothing to do with why I’m with Grayson.”
“They know that,” I say, looking at my parents.
“Yes, none of us believe that Jessica’s intentions aren’t pure,” Dad adds quickly. “I’m more concerned about the possibilities of complications that your relationship brings.”
“You do realize I’m a grown man?”
“Yes, but that is not what I—”
I glare at my mother, silencing her. “No, I don’t think you do. I’m not sure what the issue is, and honestly, I don’t give a shit. I’m not a kid. I have never asked you for a damn thing. I built my home, care for Amelia, and run the damn inn while neither of you does a damn thing.”
“Where do you think you procured the funds to build your house, Grayson? Let’s not be ignorant. You earn a lot more money than anyone else would in your position,” Dad says with a clipped tone. “You act as though you’ve been working at the factory and have been saving your wages. You’ve been given quite a bit from us.”
The sympathy in Jessica’s eyes crushes me. She looks over at my father. “I don’t want your money. I want to be clear. I’m not unhappy with my lot in life. I’ve saved my own money, worked very hard, and I make significantly less money than someone else would in my position in your company. I don’t complain, in fact, I’d work for free if I could because, for my entire life, I’ve tried to win you both over. I’m not sure what I ever did, but it really doesn’t matter because you think I’m not good enough. However, your opinion isn’t what counts, is it?” Jessica asks me.
“No. It isn’t.”
“I’ll never be liked by you, and that’s okay because Grayson is who matters.”
My mother volleys her gaze back and forth between us and then to my father.
