Page 28 of Burn for You (Flirting with Forever 3)

My parents invite me to Saturday brunch every week. Sometimes I make up excuses for why I can’t attend. Some weeks I force myself to go, just so I can say I’ve been there. It’s almost become a chore, especially now that they know I’m going for the department chair position.

What was once an easy thing has become exponentially difficult now that there is another teacher involved. I never dreamed I wasn’t the ideal candidate—but worse, my parents don’t think anyone else should be in contention for the position because I’m their perfect little Piper, their only child, their shining star. I’ve never failed them before. What really gets to me, though, is the sense of entitlement they seem to have. Like somehow our family is superior and since I’m their child, it only makes sense that I’d just be given the position.

So, I’ll try. I’ll keep trying, and won’t give up … but I may do everything in my power and still not come out on the other side with the title.

I pull up to my parents’ two-story home, complete with a neatly-mowed yard and a freshly-painted red door, and sigh. I just need to get through today and everything will be okay. Everything will be fine. Just. Fine.

Only it’s not. The minute I walk through the door, my parents are all over me.

“They must be making the selection soon. When I spoke to your department chair at the school fundraiser last year, he had some very complimentary things to say about you.” Dad smiles and offers me a plate of fresh fruit. I accept it to give me something to do, all while biting my tongue.

“Piper, what else do you have planned? You’ve really got to make a last-minute push.” Mom winks at me.

I take a few calming breaths. “Mom, could we just drop it?” I wedge a hunk of watermelon into my mouth, and I don’t even enjoy it, which pisses me off because it’s my favorite.

Her gaze swings from me to my dad. “Should we invite him to dinner?”

Dad wipes his mouth with his napkin before setting it down next to his plate and focusing all of his attention on me.

He’s about to say something when I cut him off. “I just wish you’d leave my successes or failures to me. I’ll either get the position or not. I don’t need you speaking to my boss on my behalf. I don’t want Jake to think I expect him to pick me.”

I can’t believe my parents don’t understand how embarrassing it would be for me to have my mommy and daddy talking to my boss. I mean, what the hell? Don’t they realize that makes me look infantile? Like I’m not capable of earning the position on my own?

“It won’t help.” I shake my head, my expression turning grim. If they can’t see this, I don’t know what I’m going to do. And from the surprised looks on their faces, they definitely don’t get it. “It would make me look unprofessional. I’m twenty-six years old. I’m not a child. I need for you to stop interfering.” I swallow and eye both of them carefully. “Please. For me.”

Dad sips at his coffee, his brow furrowing. “We’re just trying to help.”

“You’re helping me look like I’m not capable. You’re trying to manipulate Jake into giving me the position by discussing it with him.” I blow out a quick breath. “I want to either earn it—or not—because of me, because of who I am and what I can do. Not because of my family connections.”

Dad grumbles. “I don’t see how it can hurt.” He sips his coffee, his keen eyes never leaving mine over his coffee cup.

“That’s obvious.” I push back from my table, my chair loudly scraping over the tiled floor. I set my napkin on the table. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to get into an argument with you, and I can’t see this going any other way right now.”

Mom’s dismay that I’m leaving is clear. “But, we—”

“No, Mom. Seriously. No buts.” I lift my hands, palms out. “I can’t do this right now.”

Chapter 16

Damon

“Hi, Mom.” As I walk into the kitchen of my family home, I pull my mother in for a one-armed hug, dropping a kiss to the top of her head before fixing my gaze on my sister. “Hey, Esme.”

She bends down in front of the oven to take a peek inside before righting herself and shooting me a quick smile. “I hope you’re hungry. I made quiche.”

Mom’s arm curls around my back, hugging me tightly. “How’s my boy?”

I chuckle. “Doing fine, Mom. How’s everything been going here?”

“Good. Esme and Elena keep me company, and we stay busy around here. Arabella should be here soon.” She leans into me. “I feel like we hardly see you anymore.”

“I’m literally a stone’s throw away. You can come see me anytime I’m home.” I sigh. “Work is just keeping me pretty busy right now.”

Esme looks up. “Are you working a lot of hours at the gym?”

I nod. “Yeah. That, too. I’m picking up as much as I can. Remind me before I leave to have a look at any bills that still need to be paid this month. I’ll take care of them.”

Mom gives me another squeeze before she goes to the cupboard to pull down plates. Over her shoulder, she asks, “That reminds me, when do they decide who gets to be the new department chair?”

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