Page 16 of Best Kept Secret

"A cook?" Trevor chimed in, his tone light, but there was an edge to it. "So, what's the plan, then? You going to be cooking here for Beau now?"

My stomach churned but I forced a small smile. "No, I don't think so. Beau has Roxy for that."

"Right, of course." Donna set her glass down a little too hard on the table. "But you're not…planning to stay long, are you? I mean, I'm sure you have other arrangements in mind once everything settles down."

"After all, you've put your life on hold for Pari, haven't you?" Katya added.

I didn't know what to say. I had no idea what the plan was or what was happening from one day to the next.

But the way Donna and Katya said it made it clear they expected me to have an answer—expected me to already be on my way out.

Had it only been a little over twenty-four hours since I came to Beau? Why was his family behaving like I'd overstayed my welcome?

"I'm here for Pari as long as she needs me," I said, my voice quieter than I'd meant it to be.

Donna smirked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin like she was covering up a snicker. "Well, she's in good hands now." The unsaid words were evident, "So, you can pack up and leave. And don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Beau chuckled at something Pari said, utterly oblivious to the daggers being thrown my way. I glanced over at him, but he didn't look up.

The knot inside me pulled even tighter.

Trevor leaned back in his chair, the casual authority of a schoolteacher seeping through his tone. "Beau mentioned you gave up a placement at the CIA. Maybe you can go back?"

"What qualifications do you need to get into CIA?" Donna mused.

"Well," I said, thinking back, "you usually need some solid experience in the kitchen—restaurant work, catering, something hands-on. A passion for food helps, of course. They'll also want to see some formal education, maybe a high school diploma orequivalent. And be prepared for a lot of hard work once you're in."

Nova chuckled. "So basically, you need to live and breathe food?"

"Pretty much." I offered her a grateful smile, relieved that she'd spoken up—of all Beau's family, she was the only one who didn't seem to hate me on sight. "And maybe a little masochism for good measure."

"So, is that all you have, a high school diploma?" Donna wanted to know.

I froze, feeling the heat rise to my face. "Yes."

"How come?" Donna probed. "Beau told us that your sister had an MBA and that your father is a lawyer. How come you didn't get past high school?"

The Indian community was obsessed with education and rigid about traditional career paths. Mine had always been considered low-level, too blue-collar—work for people who weren't smart enough to do better. Donna was saying something similar now, and it shouldn't have bothered me. I'd heard it all before, in Atlanta, from my parents, from others. But it did. I'd wanted to make a good impression on Beau's family. Maybe I could explain it to them, I thought. Maybe they'd understand.

"I…I had to take care of my sister. She was sick, and then Pari came along, so…" I trailed off, not sure how to explain what my life had turned into after Asha's diagnosis.

"Oh," Donna said, her voice soft but her eyes sharp. "That's unfortunate. I'm sure you had plans."

"Family comes first."

"Of course," Katya said with a kind smile, and I wondered if she was thinking I was some kind of freeloader, first taking from my sister and now Beau.

Beau laughed again as Pari giggled with abandon. I smiled because how could you not when myShonawas happy?

"She's wonderful." Nova was speaking about Pari, but she was looking at me. "I think what you've done with her and your sister is remarkable, Mira."

"Oh, absolutely," Trevor agreed. "We're very grateful that you took care of Pari."

"What I don't understand is why you didn't tell Beau about his daughter until now?" Donna demanded.

I looked toward Beau, hoping he'd help out, but he was immersed in his daughter and not paying much attention to the conversation taking place around him. I got that. When I was with Pari, I pretty much ignored my surroundings as well, wanting to give her all my focus. Still, didn't he see he'd thrown me into a river of piranhas?

"Mama, you know why?" Trevor interjected. "Beau mentioned that Asha had told her he gave up his parental rights."

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