cooking, you and I can look at the reservation scheduler. Since you’ve been so understanding about everything, I’ll upgrade your parents to one of our master suites during their stay and we can add on some extras, too.”
Larissa shook her head, shocked. “Sir, that’s really not necessary. I told you when I first interviewed for the job, I’m just excited about your benefits package. My parents coming out here for a week’s stay is a bonus I didn’t know about.”
“Don’t tell me you’re refusing my offer?” John folded his arms together and shook his head. “No one says no to my wife’s roast beef dinner, and she’s making cake, too.”
John seemed especially excited about the cake with the way happiness glowed in his eyes upon mentioning it.
She suppressed a sigh. “You probably have a lot of fancy, rich guests at your party. I’d be out of place. I’m not trying to refuse your kindness, but I’m just an employee. I don’t belong at a dinner party. Please don’t worry about the way you guys tested me. I’m okay with it. I’m just happy I got the job.”
“You’re wrong about not fitting in,” John insisted. “Susan really wants to meet you since we didn’t have a chance at the party to mingle. She and I have been discussing all day about what sorts of things to upgrade for your parents’ visit, and she suggested that I have you come out to the house so you can tell us more about them and what they’ll like to do. We are giving them a dream vacation.”
She wondered if this was standard for all new employees. Quinn had said she was part of the family now. Maybe they took that seriously. The last thing she wanted to do was offend them. They could easily replace her with one of the others lining up for this job. Then she’d be right back where she started. Besides, anything nice she could do for her parents was worth a little discomfort at a McCallister dinner party.
“If you’re sure, Mr. McCallister, I’d be honored to have dinner with you and your wife.”
“Excellent. Our house is a few miles away, on a private beach, so you can’t walk there. I’ll send a car to pick you up in about an hour. Will that give you enough time to get ready?”
“Sounds great.”
And a bit terrifying.
Chapter Six
Q uinn sat in his father’s study, sipping a tumbler of Brandy. The mystery guest hadn’t arrived yet, though he was now certain there was one, since he peeked in the dining room and saw four place settings. Quinn’s mom was in the kitchen making gravy for the roast while John kept him occupied. It definitely felt like a setup.
“Who’s the other guest, Dad?”
John took another pull on his glass, a smile playing across his lips. “I really think she’s a nice girl, son. Give her a chance.”
With a sigh, Quinn downed the last of his drink. “Larissa?”
“I figured I’d give you a chance at her without Parker around.” John chuckled. “If he were half as concerned with running the boats as he is with having a different bed partner every night, that boy might be a good help to you in the future.”
Quinn never could figure out why his parents were so forgiving of Parker and his playboy ways. Perhaps it was because he was such a charmer. No one could stay mad at Parker for long. Not even Quinn.
The bigger problem here wasn’t Parker. It was his parents.
“Do you and Mom remember what happened last time you set me up?”
John’s forehead furrowed and his happy smile turned downward. “To be fair, Camille was a nice girl. You shouldn’t have married her if you weren’t willing to make time for her. You have to make time for love. That’s why Mom and I live away from the resort and take vacations every year.”
Of course the divorce was his fault. John and Susan would never admit how hard they pushed him into marriage. He didn’t know why he was the one child, out of all five, who had to be involved in a relationship to make his parents happy. He was perfectly