She opened the door of his SUV when a Mercedes sedan pulled next to them. Right away, she knew it was Arik’s mother driving, giving her the pointed once over while a younger man in the passenger seat looked on with curiosity.
“Arik,” his mother said, opening her door. “Looks like it’s perfect timing.”
“Mom,” he said, coming over to her side. “This is Natalie. Natalie, my mother, Erin Brown and Rylie. I didn’t catch your last name.”
“Parker,” Rylie said, shaking her hand. Didn’t look as if he had ripped jeans on now. He looked right out of a Tommy Hilfiger campaign. Tan pants, navy sweater, white, navy and red collared shirt underneath with the cuffs peeking out the sleeves.
“Let’s go inside. It’s a little brisk out,” Erin said.
Arik opened the door and held it for everyone. Natalie instantly felt underdressed and out of place in her navy pants and gray-and-white top. Erin wore sleek black trousers paired with a vibrant red silk blouse, the real kind, not the imitation stuff taking up residence in her closet.
Arik was the only one in jeans and a button-down shirt. The man who was worth more than them all was the most comfortable.
They were seated quickly, their drinks brought over, then Erin spoke first. “Arik said you went to college together?”
“We did,” she said. “He was a year ahead of me, but I finished a year early.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a lot of determination and drive,” Erin said.
“I do. There was part of me that missed home. I started and wanted to finish there, but did it on my terms.”
“Good for you,” Erin said. “My son needs to get some more drive. Maybe you’ll rub off on him.”
That dig wasn’t so subtle.
She wasn’t going to take the bait and wouldn’t bring up Arik’s wealth or that she had knowledge of it.
Anything that cracked that window would be fair game for someone like Erin.
“I think Arik knows his mind and doesn’t need me or anyone else to guide him.”
“Natalie is used to dealing with the public, Mom,” he said. “She’s as smooth as you are in the courtroom.”
Erin pursed her lips and offered a slow, measured nod. “Maybe you should have gone into law. Arik didn’t want any part of it.”
“Not my thing,” he said. “What about you, Rylie? I hadn’t heard what you do?”
“I’m a nurse,” Rylie said.
Didn’t see that one coming. She expected a model, fitness trainer, maybe a bartender or server. Nurse, not even on her radar.
“It’s a wonderful profession but such a tough job,” she said.
“It can be,” Rylie said. “When I was in the hospital it was more stressful. My job at a plastic surgeon’s office is much more rewarding. Patientswantto be there.”
“Is that how you met my mother?” Arik asked. “At her plastic surgeon’s office.”
Erin let out an exasperated breath. “If you must know, Rylie gives the best Botox injections.”
“Sounds like a conflict there,” he said.
“I moved to another practice when Erin and I started dating,” Rylie said. “Or I should say, same practice, different division.”
“Yes,” his mother said. “I see another doctor there.”
Natalie couldn’t believe they were just casually talking about cosmetic surgery and injections and work as if it were bubble gum and candy bars.
“Mom,” he said. “What vacations do you have planned?”
