Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,52

her. Chloe wasn’t going to sit with them. Instead, she moved behind the counter and grabbed her mother’s favorite bottle of wine. She didn’t bother asking her if she wanted a glass, just poured it and handed it over.

“What has you out and about? I didn’t know you were coming to Cranston,” Chloe said.

“I was doing some shopping. Your father had meetings all day today, and I was lonely,” Genevieve said as she pulled up her bag. “And I also wanted to give you a copy of your father’s latest book. He just got the advanced copies.”

Genevieve pulled out her father’s newest cookbook, and Chloe grabbed it, excited to see the beautiful picture on the front cover. She’d worked with her dad on that particular recipe.

“I can’t believe the copies are in already. This is his best book ever. He put so much time into it,” Chloe said.

“This was also the first time he had a coauthor,” her mother said.

Chloe was confused. Then she looked back down at the front cover. Her eyes filled with tears that she desperately tried to blink back. She took some deep breaths as she pulled herself together.

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“He wanted to surprise you,” Genevieve said. “That recipe on the front is both of yours. He also included three of your cookie recipes in it.” She pulled out an envelope. “Here’s an advance. You get ten percent of the sales.”

Chloe never would’ve expected something like this from either of her parents. They only gave credit where credit was due, and they’d never praised her for anything in her life that hadn’t been done to perfection. But the front of the book—in small letters, but still there—said WITH CHLOE HITMAN. She was speechless.

“I didn’t do enough to earn this,” Chloe said. “I was just playing with Father in the kitchen.”

“Your father pointed something out to me that I wasn’t aware of. I didn’t know quite how to process what he was saying to me, and so it took me a while to work through it,” Genevieve said after several moments. She then reached across the counter and took Chloe’s hand.

“I love you very much, and I’ve always wanted what’s best for you. I haven’t always been able to say the right things or do the right things. I see the world very black and white. So does your father, but not quite as badly as I do. You’ve worked incredibly hard to get where you are, and we are both incredibly proud of you,” her mother said.

Chloe was fighting to keep tears back. “I know you just want me to be the best I can be,” Chloe assured her. There were many times she’d wanted to scream at her parents that she was trying her best, but her mother saying these words to her made her feel bad.

“I’m not going to promise to change my ways, as I don’t know if I can completely do that. But I’m going to try to not nitpick you so much and try to appreciate what a fine young woman you’ve become. It’s very hard for an old woman to change her ways, but I think between the two of us, together we can navigate the waters.”

Chloe smiled. “I think the two of us can do anything together if we put our minds to it.”

“That’s for sure. I raised you to believe in yourself and to never settle for second best. You’ve proven yourself more than capable of that over and over again,” Genevieve told her.

A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m sorry, Mother. It’s been a long week,” she said, trying to explain away her emotional state.

“Yes, the holidays take their toll on us, for sure.” She squeezed Chloe’s hand. “You earned this spot on this book. I want you to celebrate it and enjoy it. This definitely wasn’t given to you because of who you are. If anything, it was more difficult for you to get there because we expect so much more from our daughter than we do anyone else.”

“I’m glad you expect so much from me. I don’t think I’d be who I am today if you and Father hadn’t pushed me so much. Some people might think kids don’t need that, but I think that’s exactly what we all need. I’m glad I don’t easily give up on things.”

Brandon had sat there quietly the entire time they’d had this conversation. She was well aware of him sitting there, but she didn’t mind. A