“Maybe you can take Hunter one day—show him what he’s missing.” Trisha clicked another switch and light showered a guy’s room. There was a picture of a sports car on the wall with a half-naked woman leaning against it, sticking out her huge boobs. A desk off to the right had an old computer, some pens and paper, and a stack of magazines. I bet that if I lifted the mattress, I’d find a nude magazine.
“Hunter’s room?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yes. I kept it as he left it. Not quite what you would expect…”
“Uh, no! I can’t believe he left that picture of the car up. He would’ve been old enough to know how clichéd that was…”
“Men don’t notice things when they’ve no need to. If he didn’t have assistants now, you would know he was a bachelor. For all his attempts to be a grown man, he has the traits of a teenage boy. I’m convinced they all do until they have a wife who makes them grow up.”
“Hunter seems plenty grown up.” I shook my head, unable to help myself, and lifted the mattress.
“I had that removed. But you are correct—boys aren’t always as sneaky as they think they are.”
“Not as sneaky as women, anyway.” I laughed, walking back toward Trisha. “My mind is blown.”
“Hunter was forced to grow up. His trouble with his father made sure of that. I have every belief, however, that having a baby, and raising a child, will remind him of some very good years. It would be good for him.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It sounded suspiciously like she meant me. Like he would have a child with me. I’d just met this woman and Hunter wouldn’t even say he loved me—what was she smoking that she thought this was a good idea? I could just have been after what was in his bank account for all she knew.
She met my gaze and smiled. “He is too serious these days, don’t you agree?” She turned, not waiting for an answer, and led the way back out of the room.
I followed with numb limbs. This situation had just become completely surreal. “I think he is afraid of having kids,” I mumbled.
“He is afraid to make the mistakes his parents made. He needs an intelligent woman who cares for him deeply to reassure him. I worried he would never find one, with his lack of social life. I’m delighted he is looking at other options.”
Often people were worried about getting the approval of their boyfriend’s parents. Not me. I was worried about one trying to hit on me, and the other using me as a baby factory. One wanted to strip his son of everything his son loved, and the other wanted to shove love in his face.
Hunter was right—there was no normalcy here. His parents were nuts.
My mom might not have cared about me until Hunter walked in, but then I was suddenly invited to her party. All her parties.
All of our parents were nuts.
Hunter looked up as we returned to the gathering, his eyes tight and his face devoid of expression. I had one moment of confusion before I heard the laugh and recognized the gorgeous woman standing beside him.
Blaire said something to a tall man she was talking to before draping her hand on Hunter’s arm. Her dress fit her snugly, showing off her stellar body. The top swooped low, giving her ample chest plenty of breathing room, and a slit showed all the way to her mid-thigh. The woman was a knockout, but a little too scantily dressed for this crowd, thank God.
“I do so apologize for inviting his former…ward,” Trisha said in a low tone laced with distaste. “I had not spoken to him before I sent out the invitation.”
“She’s…no fun,” I replied.
Hunter stepped toward me as I closed the distance, his mom by my side. Blaire’s hand dropped when Hunter moved away, and she looked over.
Fiery hate crouched in her glittering eyes as she saw me. She gave my dress the briefest of glances and smirked.
“Trisha! Hi!” Blaire gave Trisha a giant smile. She kissed the older woman on the cheek. “You are looking great!”
“Thank you, Blaire. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“Yes. And thank you for the invitation. It’s been so long.”
Hunter stepped up beside me and threaded his hand around my waist. He pulled me in close.
“I was just telling Hunter the other day—”
Blaire cut off for a second as Hunter moved us away. She started talking again a moment later, but I lost track of what she was saying.
“Did you see my failed career as an artist?” Hunter asked, moving through the room, away from everyone else.
“You knew she’d show me that, huh?”
He stopped next to a large window. Cool, smooth blackness pressed against the other side. He turned to me, his eyes delving into mine. “Yes. She’s been dying to show someone those. All her new friends see those first.”