Page 85 of Return to Us
“I knew it!” Stella says, slapping her hand on the table. “I knew it.”
Of course, the people in here heard her and are all staring at me. Mrs. Pruitt gives me a horrified look while covering her daughter’s ears as though it wasn’t already said. Fred, who is a permanent fixture on the end stool, laughs once before saying something that sounds like, “About damn time.” And then there’s a face I would’ve cut my arm off if it meant the person wouldn’t be standing there. Mr. Parkerson.
My eyes close, and I’m sure my face is beet red. Maybe he has headphones in and didn’t hear his daughter proclaim my sexual activity with his son last night. Maybe there’s not a chance in hell because he’s staring at me.
“What’s wrong?” Delia asks, and then she turns, seeing what I see. “Fuck. Stella, your dad is here.”
Her lips part as she reaches her hand out to me. “I’msosorry. I’ll fix it. I just got excited, but I’ll handle him, I promise. Maybe he won’t come over.”
Yeah, right. He doesn’t leave because my luck is crap. Instead of walking out the door, he comes to the table. “Hi, girls.”
All four of us look up.
Stella is the first to say something. “Hello, Father.”
“Having a nice lunch?” he asks.
Stella smiles demurely. “We are. How long before you leave town to go see another”—her fingers make air quotes—“property?”
He bristles. “I was planning to go in a few days to check on Oliver, but maybe I’ll stick around for a bit.”
Great. The Parkersons have never hidden what they think of me or my dating Grayson. If they think there’s even a possibility of it, I have no doubts they’ll do what they can to thwart it.
Stella sits back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I see, so you heard about the damage there?”
He nods. “It’s a shame about the vandalism. The town seemed so safe. But your brother is handling it well from what I can see.”
“Yes, I guess it’s not safe from lies though.”
He continues as though her last statement wasn’t spoken. “No reason to go out there when the flagship may need me.”
At that, I see the first flash of emotion in her. Her lips are tight, eyes unwavering as she says, “We’re doing better than any other. I’m sure the other locations will have more of a need for you.”
He looks at me. “How are things with the front office, Jessica?”
“Good,” I manage to say without issue. I don’t know what it is about these people that makes me feel insignificant. Here I am, a grown woman who has accomplished goals that no one thought I could, and one look from them makes all of that irrelevant. I’m back to being the poor girl who was after the Parkerson fortune.
It was never true. I would’ve loved Grayson no matter where he came from.
“Anything new that I should know about?”
Stella clears her throat. “I’m her supervisor. If you need to ask questions, please feel free to come to me.”
Mr. Parkerson smirks. “As the owner, I’ll ask whomever I want, and it seems Jessica might have some news.”
I count to five before opening my mouth. I will not stutter before him. Of all the times I need to keep calm and focused, this is it. “There’s nothing new, Mr. Parkerson. If there were . . . I . . .” No, please no. I feel Winnie’s hand touch my leg, and I pull myself back in. “I would tell my supervisor.”
I finish, my heart pounding so loud that I’m sure everyone can hear it. My sister’s hand relaxes, and Stella smiles. I was able to get through it, even though it’s the first time in over a week that I’ve had even the slightest stumble.
“Well, you girls enjoy your lunch. I’m heading to the Park Inn to see Grayson.” His eyes dart to me and then back to his daughter. “To check on things with him.”
“I’m sure you are,” Stella says dismissively.
“I’ll see you for dinner this Friday.”
Stella lifts her hand, waving fingers. “Bye, bye.”
The second he’s out the door, Stella groans. “I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t know he was here, and I guess I got a little loud.”
