chapter 41

"I'm pretty sure my chef skills will speak for me. People won't care if my hair is a simple ponytail or if my outfit is simple as long as my food is good," I said, trying not to sound confrontational.

Biting my tongue, I looked down at my meal as the two women exchanged glances.

Goldie cleared her throat, and I was expecting another barb about my hair or clothes. Instead, she asked, "You are now working as a pastry chef?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied.

"How long have you been doing that?" she inquired.

"Formally, since I was sixteen and legally able to work."

"I'm sure it's not a high-paying job," she said, her manicured fingers tapping against her glass.

"It pays enough," I returned.

"Why didn't you go to college and get a degree like Daisy did so you could get a good-paying job?" she asked, a manicured eyebrow rising as she assessed me.

I could have told her the entire truth – I was too busy caring for Sage and Robin to go to college. Instead, I told her what I figured she needed