Page 4

“Oh,” she said.

That one syllable had twenty-six years of disappointment packed inside it.

My father cleared his throat. “This isn’t the best time.”

I stared at the wall. “You’re on vacation.”

“Yes, and this trip has been far more expensive than anticipated,” my mother said. “The exchange rate is terrible.”

I didn’t know whether that was true. I also knew better than to ask.

“We upgraded the train tickets because your father’s back has been bothering him,” she continued. “Then the hotel in Paris charged us twice for the room deposit, and we won’t get that money back until after we return.”

“They said three to five business days,” my father added.

“You’re gone for another two weeks.”

“Exactly,” my mother said. “So everything is rather tied up.”

I curled my fingers against my thigh beneath the desk. “I’d pay you back.”

“That’s not the issue,” she said.

“We don’t want you becoming dependent on us,” my father explained. “You’re building your own life now.”

I squeezed the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. “I’m only asking for a temporary loan.”

“We know, honey.” My mother’s tone softened, which only made the refusal worse. “Could you put the rent on a credit card?”

“My landlord doesn’t take credit cards.”

“Maybe one of those payment apps?”

“There’s a fee.”

“Well, that’s not ideal, but it’s an option.”

I inhaled slowly and looked toward the ceiling. The smoke detector stared back without judgment, which immediately made it my favorite member of the family.

“I’ll figure it out,” I said.

“We knew you would,” my father replied, not bothering to disguise his relief.

“Oh, before I forget, we gave your number to someone,” my mother said brightly.

My spine locked. “Why?”

“We met the most impressive man on the flight over.”

“Mom.”

“He’s an entrepreneur.”

At the back of my brain, every terrible date I’d ever endured sat upright and prepared to testify.

“What kind of entrepreneur?” I asked because, clearly, I was a glutton for punishment.

“Well,” she began, “he owns several businesses.”