My father looked up at me, eyes narrowed. “You don’t need the money, Chloe. I provide everything you need so that you can focus on your studies.”
I clenched my hands into fists and put them in my lap. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly parading friends through here. I want something to do.”
“I think it’s a great idea.” Larissa offered me some potatoes, and I nodded. “It will be good for you to meet some new people, and it’s a great way to learn some responsibility.”
Learn some responsibility? Had she forgotten that I’d been the only one to take care of my injured mother? Or that I’d been responsible enough to agree to take her off life support? I snorted with disgust.
“Chloe,” my father warned.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I shouldn’t be so mean to Larissa. She hadn’t done anything to me, and she wasn’t really that bad. “I just disagree with the idea that I need to learn responsibility. But you’re right, Larissa. I do need to get out of this house and meet new people.”
She beamed a smile at me, and I returned the gesture. “If you need help with the applications, let me know,” she said. “And if you need a ride, Declan will be happy to drive you after school.”
“Thanks.” Relief settled on me.
Having a ride opened up a lot more opportunities. Although, having my own car would be better, but I hadn’t gathered enough courage to bring up that idea, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask my father for something so big when I had no intentions of staying here a day longer than necessary.
Frank took a bite of food and nodded. When he swallowed, he said, “Now that we have that settled…” He took a drink of water, then gave me a pointed look. “Larissa says she invited you to the fundraiser Saturday night and you declined. Rather rudely.”
Larissa hung her head, refusing to look at me. Did she feel guilty for tattling on me? I doubted it.
I took a deep breath and forced myself not to be rude now, either. If I wanted to go to the concert with Simon on Friday, I was going to have to play nice and pretend to be a happy, well-adjusted daughter.
“I’m sorry I was rude this morning, Larissa.” I took another drink. “I’d be happy to go to the fundraiser with you two.”
Frank froze with his fork halfway to his mouth. Skepticism played across his face, and I held my breath. Had I gone too far with trying to be nice?
“What do you want in return?” he asked.
I laughed, then clamped my lips shut. Surely, he wasn’t expecting me to be so easily agreeable. “I’ve been invited to a concert Friday night, and I’d like to go.” I kept my tone calm.
“What concert?” Larissa asked.
“Where is it?” Frank asked.
“Who invited you?” Larissa set her fork down and folded her arms on the table.
“How much is it going to cost?” Frank reached for more chicken.
My head spun with their rapid-fire questions. “Um. It’s Black Veil Brides. I’m not sure where it is, but it shouldn’t cost anything. A friend from school offered me a ticket, and he’ll pick me up.”
“He?” Frank raised a brow. “So, it’s a date?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s two friends who like the same band hanging out. Trust me. This is not a date.”
If he only knew how ridiculous that was, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.
“You still haven’t told us who you’re going with,” Larissa said.
I swallowed a piece of chicken and washed it down with a mouthful of water. “His name is Simon Parker. We have a couple classes together.”
“Simon Parker?” Larissa’s eyes widened. “Son of Raymond Parker? Owner and CEO of Parker Motion Pictures?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”
I had no idea who Simon’s father was, and I didn’t care. But based on the grins she and my father shared, Raymond Parker was a big deal. I should’ve known that Larissa would know of Simon and his family. She seemed to know everyone in this city. It was the only reason they’d gotten me into The James da Vincente Preparatory School, because Larissa knew the dean—he was a friend of the family.
“He’ll come here to pick you up?” Frank asked.
I nodded. “Six o’clock.”
He looked to Larissa, who smiled again. “I’m fine with you going,” he said. “But you have to go to the fundraiser with us on Saturday—no backing out—and we expect Simon to come to the door to get you. We’d like to meet him.”
Jaw clenched, I gave another nod. This wasn’t the 1950s where a guy had to meet a girl’s father and get his approval. And, most importantly, this wasn’t even a date. If a girl was coming to pick me up, I guarantee they wouldn’t insist on meeting her. I so badly wanted to point that out, but if I caused trouble, they wouldn’t let me go.
“Okay,” I agreed begrudgingly.
“Good.” Frank resumed eating.
So did I, and we fell silent for a while.
When he finished, he pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair. “I’m glad you’re making an effort to be more involved with this family, Chloe.” He reached over and took Larissa’s hand. “We really want you to be happy here.”
I forced a smile, not bothering to tell him that the only reason I was being agreeable was so I could get what I wanted. But I’d let him think otherwise. For now. I’d have to wait to ask him about Keene Valley, though. I didn’t want to press my luck.
“Do you have any idea where you might like to work?” Larissa asked.
I shrugged. “Not really. I don’t want to wait tables or anything like that. Working in a coffee shop might be fun. Or at an ice cream stand.”
“Have you considered tutoring?” Frank rubbed his hand over his stomach. “Your grades are excellent. I’m sure you could
