The dismissive glance at her workspace told her everything that Natalie needed to know of Erin’s opinion of her.
But she didn’t care about those things. She only cared about how Arik felt about her.
“I’ll cut right to the chase. You know what I do for a living.”
“I do.”
“It’s a parent’s duty to protect their child. Arik has a lot that needs to be protected.”
She expected this to come up at some point, but not like this. Not from Erin.
“I’m not after Arik’s money,” she said.
“Every woman says that, but doesn’t mean it. Or maybe they do. At one point, I thought love was enough but was smart enough to have a security blanket if it wasn’t. I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up a prenup.”
“We aren’t getting married,” she said.
“That ring says otherwise.”
“It’s not what you think. We haven’t set a date or even talked about it.”
She didn’t need to explain any of this to Erin but was doing it out of courtesy.
“I know my son. He’s impulsive. You could find a band to match that ring before the baby comes. Might as well make sure everyone is happy.” Erin pulled a document out of her large tote. “You’ll find this very generous. It wouldn’t leave you with nothing but give you a specific amount for each year you’re married. Having been there several times, I know how hard it is to see something ending you wish didn’t. Love doesn’t last. I know firsthand, no matter how much I wish it weren’t so.”
She didn’t look at the paper.
She couldn’t believe she was having this conversation.
In a weird, twisted way, Arik’s mother actually thought she was protecting Natalie. Or was she imagining that?
“If Arik wants me to sign one, then I will. But it’s not a conversation we’ve had. If or when we do, you will not be part of it.”
“I like that you’ve got a backbone,” Erin said, nodding her head. “I know you think I’m a horrible person for doing this.”
“I think that deep down you care for your son, in your way. You’re looking out for him the same way I will my child. Maybe you’re even sympathizing with the speed of our relationship and putting yourself in my shoes. I’m not sure. But I’ll not allow myparents to interfere in my life just as I know Arik doesn’t want or need it from you or his father.”
Erin sat back and smiled. “I like you. I really do.”
Could have fooled her. “And that’s why you’re being so generous?” she asked, waving her hand at the papers in front of her.
“I’m not trying to be a bitch. I’d like to have a relationship with my grandchild. Documents just make this less messy in the end,ifsomething happened.”
“Some might think you’d approach matters differently then.”
Erin’s grin only widened. “I told you my son was impulsive. It’s not always the best trait to have. He can back it now. Early on, if I’d known he was laying all his money on the line, I would have talked him out of it. I sure the hell would have the second time.”
“He wouldn’t have listened. And then you wouldn’t have had much to brag about either.”
“Good for you,” Erin said. “But back to Arik. Did you ever wonder why he came to this island?”
“He said that he was watching a cooking reality show my cousin Grace competed on. He heard The Bond Retreat and wanted to check it out.”
“I thought you were smarter than that,” Erin said.
“I don’t understand.”
“He came for you. He knewexactlywhat he was doing. He might have been spontaneously coming here, but he had a plan. When Arik wants something, nothing stands in his way. I meannothing.”
