"Piper!"

"Coming," I say, closing out the program and walking to the front desk. It's wide, bright red with chrome accents. Very eye-catching and modern. Jase picked it out, which doesn't surprise me. He has a really good eye. "What's up?"

Emmett hands me two envelopes. "The postman just delivered these. They're from the health department. Says we've had complaints about unsanitary conditions and tool reuse. We have thirty days to correct the problem. They'll be out one day later to inspect." A scowl appears on his face and I'm slightly intimidated by him. Most of the time, Emmett is very easygoing and likes to joke. He's popular with men and women alike: the men because he's funny and the women because he's very good-looking, with dark hair and gray eyes that seem to draw you in.

I frown. "You've never had complaints like that before?"

"Not since Jase came back. When my old man ran the place, yeah, he wasn't the best about keeping things up-to-date, but never when it came to his equipment. This complaint is bullshit."

Nervously I lick my lips. "What do you want me to do? Call them?"

He tilts his head to one side. "I think the reason we're getting them is because of you."

Shocked to my core, my mouth drops open. "Me? But I've only worked here for two weeks."

"Your start date and the date of the complaint are one and the same." He lets out a thick sigh. "Jase piss you off that day and you went running to Daddy about it? It's okay, you can tell me."

Anger replaces the shock and my blood begins to boil. "One, if Jase did piss me off, I would talk to him about it. Two, my daddy doesn't know I work here."

"Mighty coincidental, Piper."

Crossing my arms, I glare at him. "That's why it's called a coincidence in the first place, Emmett."

He grunts. "You're done for the day. Go home."

My mouth drops open. Again. I can't seem to help myself. "B-but I'm supposed to work until six thirty."

"It's six o'clock-close enough."

Not for the first time in my life, I bite my tongue and keep the retort that springs to my lips safely in my mind. Even though Emmett is accusing me of something completely insulting, he's still my boss and I don't want to get fired. Better to let things be and do my job than to keep protesting. He's not going to believe me anyway.

"Fine."

"Don't worry about tomorrow, either."

I shake my head in total disbelief. His change in attitude is out of nowhere. "That's not something you get to decide on your own."

"When it comes to my reputation, pussy isn't a factor," he says crudely. A couple of guys and girls snicker.

Holy crud. I forgot we had an audience. My face turns so hot that I'm surprised it doesn't explode. "This has nothing to do with sex or anything else. You didn't hire me, so you can't fire me."

"Look at all that backbone. Maybe you'll show that to your daddy tonight, too," he mocks.

I've had enough. Practically running to the office to grab my purse, I then make a beeline for my car. I can hear Emmett taunting me in the background.

"Run away, poor little rich girl."

Slamming my car door shut is satisfying, but being run out of a place of business in front of customer is mortifying.

I take a sustaining breath and then another before pulling out of the parking lot. Hopefully, the ride over to The Oaks will give me time to calm down. I had so wanted to be calm and collected when I faced my parents this evening, but the way my cheeks are still overheated, that's not going to happen.

- When I arrive at the country club, a valet opens my door and helps me out of the car. It's been months since I used the service and I don't recognize him, but I do remember to tip him before he drives away.

Other than the new valet, The Oaks Country Club looks the same, with its welcoming oak doors framed in winding ivy and a tastefully lit interior. Plush rugs over hardwood floors muffle the clicks of my heels. An attractive woman stands behind the reception counter with a pleasant smile on her face.

Unsure if I'm to check in before I go upstairs, I walk closer to her.

"Hi. I'm Piper Ross and I'm having-"

"Good evening, Ms. Ross. We were expecting you. I'll take you upstairs right away."

Though the restaurant is technically on the second level, it is ground level with the golf course. Sixty years ago, the owners of the neighborhood blasted half a hill away in order to build this place and the houses around it. My parents live in one of the newer sections.

"How was your day?" the woman asks conversationally as we walk up a flight of stairs.

"Busy, and yours?"

"Getting ready for classes to start. I work here at night to pay for them."

"I hear you. They're so expensive."

The woman gives me an odd look, like she can't believe I would say that or even know the cost. Then again, seven months ago, I did not know the cost.

"They're waiting for you over there. Louisa will escort you. Have a great evening."

"You, too," I say as Louisa shows up. Thankfully, she says nothing more than the usual pleasantries, so I don't stick my foot in my mouth this time.

As soon as my parents see me, my father rises. He looks the same to me. A very imposing yet debonair man who has the world's most beautiful woman at his side.

"Piper, we're so glad you could join us," he says, smiling warmly as he helps me into my chair.

"Really, sugar, did you have to wear something so casual?" Mother says by way of greeting.

"I'm sorry. I came straight from work." Oh stupid, Piper. Don't apologize to her.

"You look lovely," my father says. I wonder at his good mood and then spy the tumbler of scotch on the rocks near his hand. He's probably on drink number three by now.

"Thank you."

"Black really isn't your color, darling. It makes your skin look sallow. You have the Ross side to thank for that."

My father gives her a look. "Not everyone has been blessed with your beauty."

Slumping a little into my seat, I fall right back into my painfully shy and incredibly awkward default mode. My mother is beautiful. She looks like an ice princess with her flawless skin, golden hair, and light green eyes. Even without a touch-up to her face or body, she looks years younger than other women her age.

It's unfair really, to have a parent so beautiful on the outside while simultaneously hideous on the inside.

You're beautiful. Gorgeous. I allow Jase's words to lift me up. A smile curves my lips.

"What are you so happy about?" my mother asks, her voice sharp.

"That I'm here with the two of you."

Her eyes narrow. "It's not because you need our help paying bills?"

I shake my head. "I have two jobs."

"You're welcome," she says and takes a dainty sip of wine. "Ginger is very happy with your performance so far. Make sure it stays that way. I won't go out on a limb like that for you again."

My eyes lower and I stare at the table until the first course arrives. I don't bother to order because I know that Mother will make comments and my father will ignore everything but his scotch.

"The strawberry salad is divine, Piper."

"Yes, ma'am." I don't like strawberries. I've never liked them. While they eat and talk, I pick at my food and work up the nerve to talk to them. Finally, there is a lull in the conversation and I just go for it.

"I need a cosigner," I blurt, figuring that asking them for loan help instead of money will be better received. If all goes well with that, then I'll ask about my health insurance, too.

"For what?" my father asks.

I fiddle with my fork.

"Stop that," Mother snaps, although the most beautiful smile adorns her face, and I carefully place the fork on the table.

"My classes this year. I can't afford to pay for them all at once, but the financial loan officer said that if y'all could cosign for me, then I could get a loan."

A blond brow arches. "Perhaps if you still lived at home, but since you've practically disowned us by sneaking out and moving in with Rowan, I can't see how your father and I owe you anything."

"I understand, but you wouldn't have to pay for anything this way-"

"We don't have to pay for anything," my father says and my eyes fly to his face. "Piper, you hurt us and we're not going to reward that. The decisions you keep making are poor ones, and in light of the newest decisions you've made, I don't see how we'll ever be able to forgive you."

Forgive me? They're acting as though I've committed a crime. A lump lodges in my throat and my breathing becomes haggard. "I-I-y-you..."

My mother squeezes my hand painfully. "Get ahold of yourself. You will not embarrass us further by having one of your disgusting attacks in here. I suggest you leave and come back after it passes." She practically throws my hand back at me.

Unable to do more than nod, I grab my purse and stand up, blindly making my way to the bathroom.

"Excuse me," a kind voice says.

I look up to see Mark Williams standing there, concern written all over his face.

"Sorry. I didn't know you were there." Can my night get any worse? I don't want to talk to anyone I know.

"Don't worry about it." He cups my shoulder. "Are you okay? You look as though you're about to cry."

My lower lip trembles without my permission. "I'm fine. Thank you."

"May I walk you back to your table?"

"No. I'm...I was just on my way out."

Mark nods, his eyes full of compassion. "Then I'll see you out. Make sure those guys bring back your BMW in good shape. You did make note of the mileage so you'll be able to tell if they went on a joy ride or not."

The thought of anyone taking my little car on a joyride when there are Porsches and Aston Martins available makes me laugh. The tightness in my chest-that has nothing to do with my asthma-starts to ease.

"There she is." He takes a step closer. "God, you're beautiful."

I stumble back a bit. "Oh...I-uh...I'm seeing someone."

"Just my luck," he says, then gently takes my elbow and guides me down the stairs. "All the good ones are."

"You're not dating anyone?" Like Jase's ex-girlfriend, I want to ask.

"There is this girl, but she doesn't think of me like that." His gaze skitters away, a slight blush on his cheeks. "She doesn't even know I'm alive."

He might be a jerk to some people, but he's never been anything but nice to me. When we were in high school he never made fun of my glasses or stutter, or how I looked. So my heart goes out to him for feeling so low.

"You never know. She might think of you like that, too. Only she's too shy to speak up."

"What should I do?"

"Tell her how you feel...I don't know...Be bold and just go for it." I want to say it worked for me, but something is holding me back. I'm not ashamed of Jase, not in the least, but sharing anything about my personal life with anyone at The Oaks seems wrong.

Mark winks at me, his change in attitude slightly disconcerting. "The next time I see her, I'll do what you suggested."

I hand my ticket to the valet and he runs to the side of the parking lot where all valeted cars are kept. "It was nice seeing you."

"You, too. Maybe Jase will throw another party and I'll come."

I give him a stern look. "You have to behave this time."

He gives me a properly chastised look back. "I promise not to get that drunk again. My mouth makes promises the rest of me can't keep."

I bite my lip and grin a little. "Happens sometimes."

The valet parks my car at the curb but Mark forestalls my attempt to tip the guy again. "Let me." He hands the valet some money and takes my arm once again. After helping me into the car, he leans down. "Maybe I can call you sometime?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't think my boyfriend would like that too much."

"Probably not, but anything can happen by the time I work up the nerve to ask you out."

Before I can say anything, he shuts my door and walks away. I shake my head. I don't understand men. At all.

Jase is waiting up for me when I get home. Eager to put my day behind me, I race into his arms, kissing him frantically.

"Missed you so much," I say between kisses. "Let's do my breathing treatment."

He pulls away from me a little to stare at my face. Afraid that he'll see what kind of night I had, I drop my gaze to the floor.