Free Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) by Shea Mcmaster

there are many designers out there ready to fill your shoes. No one can replace you in your marriage or with your children. A career just fills time until you take the next step Destiny has provided.”
    A burst of anger, barely leashed, filled Meilin’s chest with fire. “How dare you discount my career? It’s kept me from sponging off you for the last twelve years. I’m good at what I do; I’m sought after, my reputation impeccable. My career has brought no shame to our family.”
    “Easy, daughter, easy. Your career has brought you much respect, and the family by association. But it also brings questions. Why are you not married? It brings doubts. Is there something wrong with you that you aren’t married? Shan’s suit has ended those questions. It has brought you a new level of approval.”
    The anger simmered. Was she a dog to do as she was told, to seek a pat on the head for following her master’s plan instead of her own? Getting out on her own had been hard, but she’d stuck to it, worked up the ranks to achieve success on her own terms. Of course she still had to work within the basic rules of her field, but she knew when to bend the rules, when to toe the line. And she’d paved a way for other young Asian designers. Women who fought not only gender bias, but racial prejudices as well. Although the landscape had changed over the decades, there were still pockets of people who couldn’t forget the division of Asian from white, white from black, or anyone else. People who paid her commissions but still believed themselves to be her betters, all because of their white skin.
    “I don’t need society’s approval, Mother.”
    “Stop growling at me. Of course you need society’s approval. Without it you’d have no business. We’re all scraping for approval from somebody, be it husbands, children, parents, colleagues, or clients. It’s how the world works. Step too far out of line and the backlash is considerable. Depending on the line.” The shrug she offered was fatalistic and reminded Meilin of her grandmother.
    Swallowing a pang, she had to acknowledge her mother’s point. “True.”
    “But none of this explains what happened last night to change your mind about this next step in your life.”
    No. She was right about that. Meeting Drew had changed everything. The attraction she felt couldn’t have been all on her side. The way he’d held her, gazed at her, kissed her… It all spoke of a man who felt every bit of the electricity zipping between them. Something she’d never once felt in the presence of Shan or any other man. And it was the one thing she could never tell her mother.
    Luckily, the technician finished by easing the disposable foam flip-flops onto Meilin’s feet as the hair stylist came for her. For now, she escaped, but not without the feel of her mother’s eyes glaring into her back.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    The house in San Ramon welcomed Drew and Birdie home. With summer’s heat settling in, the warm, dry air held the scent of sweet flowers and the refreshing scent of the tall redwoods forming a barrier on the uphill side of the lot. Charcoal also coasted on the slight breeze and Drew’s mouth watered. Would dinner be a barbeque on the back deck overlooking the pool? Good thing he kept a pair of swim togs in the room Randi had changed from craft room to his own space. There was also a chaise lounge out back with his name on it. Something he meant to take advantage of as often as possible until he left for China.
    The greetings from both parents were effusive. Randi glowed with love and happiness; his father couldn’t stop grinning. The tension between Drew’s shoulders ramped down a notch or two. Coming here today had been the right decision.
    Randi’s soft hand stopped on his cheek, forcing him to look down at her concerned face. “You look tired. Were exams tough?”
    “They’re over; that’s the best thing about them.” Drew bent enough to wrap his arms around her