“Then why did you need me so urgently? I was in the middle of a very important dinner with the world’s most acclaimed chefs!”

“And that’s more important than seeing your own father? You come back from Paris and you would rather dine with the help?”

“This top truffle dealer was about to offer me his prized white Alba truffle when you called, but now I think that sneaky Eric Ripert has snagged it. I was going to surprise you with the truffle.”

Jack let out a snort. “What really surprises me is the way you keep disappointing me over and over again.”

Colette stared at her father quizzically. “What have I ever done to disappoint you?”

“The fact that you don’t even know is so telling. I went to such lengths to help Richie Yang orchestrate the perfect proposal to you, and look what you did in return.”

“You were part of that whole scheme? Of course you were—if I had planned the affair, it would have been so much more tasteful!”

“That’s not the point. The point is that you were supposed to say yes, like any normal girl who is being serenaded by one of the most expensive singers in the world.”

Colette rolled her eyes. “I like John Legend, but even if you had paid John Lennon to rise from the grave and sing ‘All You Need Is Love’ to me, the answer would still be no.”

Colette saw something move out of the corner of her eye and turned to find her mother standing by the doorway. “What are you doing skulking in the shadows? Have you been home all this time? You knew Dad was involved all along, didn’t you?”

“Aiyah, I couldn’t believe it when you turned Richie down! We have both wanted this for you ever since you started dating him three years ago,” her mother said with a deep sigh, planting herself down on the gilded settee.

“It’s not like I’ve been seeing him exclusively. I’ve been dating many other men.”

“Well, you’ve had your fun, and now it’s high time you got married. I had you by the time I was your age,” Mrs. Bing chastised.

“I can’t even believe we’re having this conversation! Why did you send me to the most progressive schools in England if all you expected out of me was to get married at such a young age? Why did I bother studying so hard at Regent’s? I have so many goals, so many things I want to accomplish before I become anyone’s wife.”

“Why can’t you accomplish your goals while you’re married?” Jack argued.

“It’s not the same, Father. Besides, my situation is so different than when the both of you were young. Sometimes I wonder if I even need to get married at all—it’s not like I need a man to look after me!”

“How long do you intend to make us wait until you are ready for marriage?” her mother demanded.

“I think I won’t be ready for at least another decade.”