He leaned down close to her ear. “My grandmother is going to grill you. She’s looking out the window now.”
She turned, their faces very close, his lips a whisper away. She hadn’t meant for that to happen and he took advantage of it, placing a peck on her unpainted pucker.
It’s the one thing she never cared to wear, but had applied more makeup than normal.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because she wants to see how we interact without us knowing she’s doing it. She doesn’t realize I’m onto her.”
They got to the front door; it was opened before Arik could reach for the handle and there was an older woman standing there in a navy dress with a lace overlay.
Sophie Crest was close to her height, her light brown hair perfectly arranged, her makeup minimal, her gaze steely, her pink lips not in a smile.
“Grandma,” Arik said. “This is Natalie Bond. Natalie, my grandmother, Sophie Crest.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Natalie said. “I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.”
“I heard you had a smooth way about you. You’ll need it with this family, but I expect that guard to be dropped around me.”
She cringed. She could continue on like she planned for the wedding but knew that Arik would appreciate it more if she opened up with the only family member he appeared to be close with.
“I have a cool way about me,” she said. “I admit it. It comes in handy in my job.” She leaned down and put her hand to the side of her mouth and loudly whispered, “Many would say I’m like that all the time, but those that I’m close to see the real me.”
“I see the real her,” Arik said. “All the time. She gives me crap. Don’t let her fool you.”
“I’d hardly say I give you a hard time,” she said.
“Toothpaste in the sink this morning,” he pointed out.
“That’s just disgusting. Rinse it out. No one wants to see a big glob of green in the sink.”
“It could have been worse,” Sophie said. “Did he leave hair in it from shaving?”
“No,” he said. “I shaved before my shower. The glob of toothpaste came after I brushed my teeth a second time. Geez, you’d think I was a slob or something.”
“Considering he lives in hotels and always has someone cleaning up after him, I’m not so sure. Got any secrets you want to share with me?”
“Go,” Sophie said to Arik. “Watch TV or go sit in your room, but let Natalie and me have a few moments alone.”
“Be easy on her, Grandma. I don’t want to lose the one person on my side here today.”
“He’s a wise one,” Sophie said.
“So I see.”
“Have a seat. We don’t have as much time as I’d like so I’m going to cut to the chase. What are your intentions toward my grandson?”
She hadn’t expected this right away. “We are getting to know each other. If you’re worried I’m after him for his money, I can assure you that isn’t the case. I know my place.”
“No,” Sophie said. “There are no places. If you talk like that around him, it’d only piss him off.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” she said.
“Then what way did you mean it?”
“That what he has is his. I don’t have it and never will. I’ve got family members worth more than him. I interact with them and guests alike from wealthy backgrounds. I can present myself well, but I don’t want to be with him for money.”
This was going to be another hurdle she’d have to figure out.
