“Yeah, Mel was eighteen, I was twelve. It was shortly after our mom died, and it was just us and our dad. I think she just wanted a change of scenery, you know? To get away.”
Dead silence fills the car.
I wait for someone to say something. Anything.
They don’t, and my apprehension grows.
“I thought both of Melanie’s parents had passed,” Nathan says finally.
I freeze.
Why whywhycan’t you keep your mouth shut, Violet? Why do you always have to elaborate on every minuscule detail?
Nathan continues on, totally unaware of the mental beating I’m giving myself. “That’s what she told us, didn’t she, Landon? Or am I mistaken?”
“Um, no,” I mutter, hurt that Mel told them something like that. “Our dad’s alive. I have no idea why she would have said that.”
“I don’t understand how someone could lie about a thing like that. Do you, Landon?”
“I mean, maybe she was embarrassed,” I say, still trying to save what I assume is a colossal fuck-up on my end. “Our life wasn’t, like, very impressive or anything. Not like how you guys live. My dad works construction. My mom did volunteer work, mostly. Maybe Mel just felt out of place or something. I don’t know. It seems like she’s doing great now, though. Well, enough to take me in for a while.”
“Yes, how kind of Landon and Melanie to help the less fortunate. My son’s always been a big believer in charity.”
My mouth snaps shut, my mind reeling from the fact that this grown man just called meless fortunateand acharity caseall in one breath. It’s not like I said we came from poverty. We always had food on the table and new clothes every year. My dad saved up money for my prom dress and chipped in half the cost of my car. I shouldn’t be surprised, though, should I? I mean, this is the father of the man who compared me to a stray dog the first night I met him. Landon had to have gotten his bad attitude from somewhere.
“And I so admire that you work in the service industry,” Nathan continues on. “It takes a special person.”
“Oh, uh, thanks,” I say, unsure if he was trying to give me a compliment or not.
“When Melanie returns from her trip, the three of you should have dinner with Kathleen and me at the club. Give you a chance to see how the other side lives for once.” He laughs like he just cracked the most hilarious joke. I glance at Landon, only to see that he’s grinding his teeth. “Though I suppose you’re already doing that, living rent-free in my son’s house.”
I don’t respond. Can’t find the words, actually, becausedamn. That one was definitely a dig. I’d be more offended if I wasn’t so shocked at his elitist transparency.
“Since Landon is dating Melanie,”of all people, is what he doesn’t say, “Kathleen and I want to know everything about her. Especially when it seems like some things might have gotten lost in translation. More than anything, it’s to protect our family.”
“Right. Sure,” I mutter.
“Glad to hear you understand, Violet. See, Landon.Somepeople can be reasonable.”
I’ve never been so relieved to pass by that greenery-coated wall and golden crest in my life, and I practically throw myself out of the still-moving vehicle as Nathan drops me off in front of the club.
“Thank you so much for the ride,” I say, and attempt to give him a genuine smile. Judging by the way my cheek twitches, I’m not sure I succeed.
“Oh, please. It was my pleasure, Violet,” he says with a sly grin. “Speaking with you was truly eye-opening.”
“Oh…good.”
“We’ll make sure to request your section next time.”
I stiffen but nod, shooting Landon a quick glance. He says nothing. Nogoodbyeorsee ya later. He doesn’t even look at me, and I have no doubt as to why. He’s fuming. I can almost see the smoke shooting out of his ears, fogging up the interior of the hundred-thousand-dollar car. I’m just not sure if he’s pissed at Mel for lying, at me for spilling the beans, or at both of us for contradicting each other. I’m not sure I want to find out.
THIRTEEN
By some miracle, the Blairs don’t venture into the dining hall for lunch. I don’t encounter them again after they drop me off, which is great, because I have bigger problems to worry about. After apologizing to Rachel and Brit and the rest of the team, I somehow power through the shift and actually manage to make decent tips.
Brit offers to give me a ride home, and even though I promised Mel no one would find out about my personal life, I take her up on it. It’s too late for all that secrecy now, I guess. Cat’s out of the bag, and judging by Nathan’s comment about inviting me to dinner, he has no intention of keeping my relation to Mel a secret. Full of surprises, Brit also helps me change out the flat for a spare, allowing me to drive it to a body shop to buy a new one. It’s not exactly what my bank account needs, but I have no choice but to shell out the cash.
By the time I arrive home, I’m drained, so I take a much-needed nap and an overdue shower. When I finally emerge from my bedroom, well-rested and smelling of Mel’s expensive body wash that I’m sure is supposed to be for “guests,” I realize that I have a wide-open Saturday night in front of me. In other words, I have time to bake. Better yet, I have time to experiment.
