“Oh, Daddy. At least we didn’t go without you.” Franny bounced in the back seat. “Now you can play tennis or swim or play golf with us! Mia, what’s your favorite sport? We can do any of them at the club.”
Of course they could do any of them. It only took us another few minutes to arrive at the country club. We didn’t have to leave the gated community of Paradise Grove, even. Instead, we pulled up to more iron gates that immediately opened for Jameson’s car.
“Remind me to get you a watch so you’ll have access to everything in Paradise Grove.”
“If there’s a cost, I can—”
“The cost isn’t a concern of mine.” He threw me a look with those cold blue eyes.
I wasn’t going to worry about what could happen though. Instead I was taking in what was supposed to be their little country club.
Sprawling across hill after hill was a pristinely manicured golf course, an Olympic-size pool on one side, a large building in the middle—presumably the clubhouse—and courts for tennis and basketball in the distance. The circular drive had a fountain in the middle, and Jameson drove right up, not even looking for parking.
“It doesn’t cost anything, Ms. Darling.” Franny giggled. That girl didn’t have any idea how much it would cost to be a member here. To live here. “I like tennis best. Daddy taught me.”
“I can teach Ms. Darling, too, if she wants,” he said, like he was going to try to be nice and do me a favor. I almost laughedat the gesture, especially knowing he’d never be able to teach me anything when it came to that sport.
“We can play tennis.” I shrugged. Here, playing would mean nothing even though it meant everything in high school and college. To my parents and to my town.
I halted immediately as I got out of the car and realized every single person was dressed a certain way. Of course they were. This was an exclusive country club. I should have known that, should have anticipated it. Tennis clothes, polos, skirts, pastels. Most of them scanned a watch as they walked in.
“Maybe I should actually wait in the car?” I glanced at Jameson in concern, but he was handing off the keys to the valet. “I’m not exactly dressed appropriately.”
He looked me up and down and then frowned. “Should have thought about that before you decided you wanted an outing. You wanted to come, Mia. So, here we are. You won’t be waiting in the car.” His tone was final.
What an ass. “Suit yourself. I’m only trying to save you secondhand embarrassment considering you’re about to be seen with me in this ritzy place.” I was being childish as I walked past him to catch up with Franny, who was already sprinting in, excited.
He grabbed my elbow to halt me. “I don’t care what other people think. You’d do well not to worry about them either.” He held my stare for a moment, as if he wanted that to sink in. “There’s a clothing store inside if you’d like tennis attire. I have an open tab.”
“I can pay—”
“Don’t start.” He rolled his eyes and waved Franny over. “Let’s go change and then go to the courts, Fran. Ms. Darling needs to grab some clothes and will meet us there.”
I nodded and looked at Franny’s flushed face. She wasso excited she could barely contain it. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“This is going to be thebest, Ms. Darling. Sometimes other kids are there to play too.”
I nodded and waved to them. Grabbing clothes from the store should have gone quickly, but when I threw a white skirt and collared shirt on and told the saleslady it would be going on Jameson’s tab, she questioned who I was.
“I’m sorry, you said Mr. Knight? As in Jameson?” She smoothed her straight blonde hair. “What’s your name again? I will see if he’s approved you.”
“That’s not necessary. Ring up the items,” I heard from behind me, and Archer appeared out of nowhere.
“Oh, hi, Archer.” The lady blushed and immediately started typing away on the register, not meeting my eyes again. “You’re all set. Have a great day,” she said softly, but as I left the store, I heard her whispering to the other saleswoman. They weren’t subtle about questioning why he’d bring help with him to the club.
“Ignore them and every woman you meet today,” Archer told me as he pointed me in the direction of the courts.
“Dare I ask why?”
“Because most of them have tried to be a nanny, and more, in Jameson’s life.”
And as I glanced around, I saw woman after woman whispering.
Even some that were with husbands and other men. I tried to keep my head down, because I didn’t need to make small talk with Paradise Grove’s elite. I just needed to play tennis with Franny.
By the time I caught back up to her, Franny’s sneakers were already eating up the clay court as she chased the ball around, completely out of breath. Jameson had arranged for a privateattendant to fetch Franny’s balls. Her eyes lit up when I grabbed a racket.
“Fran, you have to swing once your eye is on that ball,” Jameson told her as he lobbed another one her way. He’d changed into white tennis shoes and a short-sleeved polo that had my eyes glued to the tattoos on his forearms that I’d never noticed.
