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“So, who are your parents?” My dad asks.
“Uh, that would be Mr. And Mrs. Ambrose,” Jasmine chuckles. “My dad is retired. He was a teacher. My mom was a clinical laboratory attendant.”
“Oh, wonderful,” my father says. “Any siblings?’
“Yes. A brother. Riley.”
“Oh, the one through which you met Alec?”
“Yes, sir.”
My father glances at me with laughter in his eyes. “Who is Riley?”
“My best friend.”
“Ohh.” Father nods. “New York definitely changed you. It’s a good thing, though.”
“Oh, Eve said you should give her a call.” My mother glances at me. “I suggest you do that immediately.”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“I’m not calling her.”
“Why not?” She asks coolly.
“Can you stop it?” I almost bow to the fury radiating through me, but as always, when it comes to my mother, I choose calm and peace. “I’m sitting beside my woman, and you’re asking me to call Eve? Another woman? That doesn’t make any sense, Mom.”
My mother squints at me. “You will not use that tone with me, young man. I am still your mother.”
“And I deserve respect, too. I won’t sit here and watch you disrespect Jasmine. Either take it down a notch, or we’re leaving.”
“That’s enough.” Father clinks his fork against a glass cup. “Please, let’s be cordial. We’re all adults. And Lillian, as much as Jasmine is trying to make a good first impression on you, you must strive to impress her, too.”
My mother laughs demurely and signals the servers for dessert. As lunch progresses, I see the enthusiasm for this lunch slowly leave Jasmine’s eyes until it becomes dull and uninteresting. I honestly do not blame her at all. I am already fed up with it myself, and this is my family we’re talking about.
After dessert, my father glances at Jasmine. I’m impressed by how polite and friendly he is to Jasmine, even though I know he doesn’t support her. To them, everything is for the success of their business; it doesn’t matter whose happiness is annihilated on their path to it.
“Will you be in France next week?” Father asks me. “There’s a business meeting I want you to join me in.”
“Sure, I’ll be there. I’m spending all my time showing Jasmine around town. There’s—”
“Is that a good idea?” My mother asks. “The paparazzi have been looking for you. I don’t want your face seen anywhere with a strange woman. It’ll cause an uproar, and we aren’t ready for that.”
“Thanks, Mom. But you don’t have to worry about me. The French masses will soon find out, regardless of anything.”
“What places do you plan to show Jasmine?” Father asks, wisely changing topics. I smile gratefully at him.
“First, we’re going to the Garden of Versailles. You won’t believe she wants to see the Eiffel Tower first.”
“Spoken like a true American,” my father laughs. “The tower is a beautiful place, but you’ll enjoy a better view elsewhere,” he says to Jasmine.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Didn’t you take Eve to the Garden of Versailles the other day?” My mother asks. “I remember—”
“Excuse me,” Jasmine interrupts her. “Where is the bathroom, please?”
