She and I sink into the plushy couch under ceiling fans and pricey recessed light fixtures. Simon takes a padded chair near the fireplace, placing his arms on the roundly upholstered rests.
“His parents are interesting.” His tone says “interesting” isn’t the word he really wants to use.
“At least he’s forceful,” Mom adds, shooting a quick glance at Simon.
I paste on a bright smile for everyone’s benefit. “He is, isn’t he? And don’t worry, Simon. Julian and Tiffany rarely visit. Actually they never do.”
Simon isn’t satisfied. “Won’t you have to spend some of the holidays with them?”
“Not really. I should be able to spend as much time as I want with you during holidays. Ryder likes to go overseas, but if you want, we can ask him to spend some time in Sweet Hope. I’m sure he’d love that.” I feel awful that I’m basically leading them on, but technically I’m not lying. We’re only marrying for a year, so I can spend my holidays with whomever I choose.
Mom pats my hand. “I think we’re just worried because this isn’t like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ryder just…well, he doesn’t seem like the type of man you’d want. He’s a big star with a…well, a certain reputation. Even if most of what they say about him isn’t true, some of it is, isn’t it?” She sighs softly. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I force a laugh. “Mom, please. You saw how he immediately came to my defense against his stepmother. Do you think he’s the kind of man who would hurt me?”
“Maybe not, but I don’t like his father,” Simon says. “That Julian character looks like a piece of work. What did he say to Ryder before he left to upset him?”
“Oh, just some old family business,” I say quickly. “The usual stuff. When you’re related, you know all the ways you can press someone’s buttons.”
He tilts his head, his brows pinched, but doesn’t press for more.
It’s Mom who says, “Parents should support and encourage their children, not try to get a rise out of them.”
I put an arm around Mom’s narrow shoulders and squeeze. “I know, and honestly, I don’t like Julian either. But like I said, I can keep my distance. So don’t worry about me, okay? You should just have a great time during your stay. As a matter of fact, I’ll arrange for a day tour for both of you tomorrow. It’ll be fun.”
Even as I offer, guilt twists in my belly. I’m not doing it just to make them happy, but to ensure they’ll be too busy to realize anything is amiss. I didn’t expect them to notice anything was wrong between me and Ryder, but I’d forgotten how sharp they are. It’s been so long since I tried to sneak anything past them.
Simon shrugs gamely. “If that’s what you want, sure. We’d love that.”
After exchanging hugs, I leave, my heart heavy. They didn’t buy a thing I said.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ryder
I hear Paige’s footsteps through the open doors, and glance at the clock on the wall. Barely an hour since she took her family to the guest house.
I stick my head out in the hallway. “Everything okay?”
“My parents were tired, so I decided to come back early.” She looks away, then sighs heavily. “You shouldn’t have invited them.” She turns, the muscles around her neck tensing. “I told you I don’t want them here until right before the wedding.”
“I thought you’d like spending time with them.”
“Yes, but…” She looks around, then slips into my room and closes the door. “Look, Ryder. I don’t want to lie to them—especially not right to their face—any more than I have to.” If she were a cat, her back would be arched in aggravation. “I’m not very good at acting.”
Shit. She’s totally right. “I’m sorry. I didn’t consider that.”
My easy surrender deflates her. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with them.”
“If you want, I can come up with a good excuse to have them all shipped out first thing tomorrow morning.”
“No, tomorrow’s our engagement party, and I already promised to arrange for a tour for them.” She shakes her head. “Just forget it. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” I say. “I hate to see you upset like this.” I put my arms around her from behind and pull her deeper into my suite. “Just so you know, Julian and Wife Number Six aren’t invited to the party. If they show up, security’s instructed to toss them out.”