Julian’s wife behaves for the rest of the dinner. Mom and Simon look at Ryder and me thoughtfully. When their gazes find me, I duck my head and focus on my food.
What Ryder said is romantic and lovely, but I’m not as good an actor as he is. I can’t lie about our circumstances convincingly, at least not to Mom and Simon, who seem to see through everything.
Except for the initial inspection of my family, Geraldine is the epitome of graciousness, probably to contrast herself with the social ineptitude of Julian’s sixth wife. After the dinner and drink, Bethany and Oliver take their leave, saying they have a long drive home. Ryder shakes their hands then turn to his parents. “Same for you too. Time to go.”
Geraldine turns to Mom and Simon. “What hotel are you staying at?”
“They’re staying at the guest house,” Ryder says.
“A guest house? Oh, that sounds fun!” Julian’s wife turns to Ryder with the pleading face of a puppy at a dinner table. “I always wanted to spend the night in a grand Hollywood mansion.”
Julian rolls his eyes. “It’s no grander than our home in Virginia.”
“Indeed. Besides, I only have one guest house, and it’s taken.” Ryder smiles at her, all teeth. “I’m sure you’ll be happy with whatever suite Dad’s booked for the night.”
Julian pats Ryder’s shoulder. “I’m glad to see that you took my advice seriously. I would’ve been horrified if you were marrying someone as shallow and pointless as Lauren.”
I suck in my breath at the name, remembering how Ryder reacted before. His body tenses, and he glares at his father with barely concealed venom.
“A woman as poisonous as her has no place in our family,” Julian murmurs, going on as though he hasn’t noticed Ryder’s reaction. “It’d be a shame if Paige burned down the mansion in her…sleep.”
Ryder is visibly pale. Tendons in his neck flex and stand out, and his clenched hands shake.
“Have a good evening.” Julian gives us a paternal smile that slithers over me like an oily rope.
Ryder pushes them out of the house. I want to ask him about what just happened, but I can’t, not with Mom and Simon watching. I don’t think they heard anything, but they’d have to be blind not to notice the anger pouring out of Ryder in waves.
“I’ll take Mom and Simon to the guest house,” I say. The housekeeper could do it, but I prefer to talk to them alone and make sure they don’t think even more badly of Ryder. They already think he sleeps with anything that’s warm.
Ryder nods. Everyone exchanges polite pleasantries, but everyone’s bodylines are tense and stiff, like they’re in outfits designed for costume malfunction if they breathe too hard.
I can feel the food in my belly churning as my stomach twists.
* * *
The “guest house” sounds like a cozy little cottage, but it’s actually a mini-mansion with seven bedroom suites. Situated on the other side of the garden, it’s no less opulent than the main house and has its own housekeeper when there are guests. Its roof has an infinity pool and the kitchen is fully stocked.
“This is lovely,” Mom says as we sit down in the enormous living room.
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.”