The round-faced man smiles and puts the sign under his arm, reaching for my suitcase. “I’m Daryl. You get stuck in immigration?”
“I think it was just backed up.”
I follow him out of the terminal building to a ridiculously long car, which is more luxurious than anything I’ve ever ridden in. As Daryl puts my luggage in the trunk, I slide into the cavernous interior, marveling at the soft leather seats and shiny walnut trim. There’s even a section for drinks and glasses, and I get a craving for a gin and tonic even though I’m completely shattered from the journey. I just need something to take the edge off, but I stop myself, instead retrieving a perfectly chilled bottle of water.
I don’t think Mom would approve if I show up smelling of alcohol at this time of the day. She’s probably already disappointed about what’s happened. She really liked Nate. He had a way of flattering her subtly that impressed her a lot. I haven’t told her what he did yet. It’s too humiliating. All she knows is that we’ve broken up, and that’s all I’ll be sharing.
The drive toward the coast is scenic, but I’m so tired that I let my eyelids close and rest my head against the side of the vehicle, my mind battling with all the things I didn’t say to Nate. An hour passes before the driver slows, pressing a buzzer, which jolts me from my tortured rest, and informing whoever is on the other end of the intercom that I’ve arrived.
Large iron gates open automatically, and the car makes its way up a long driveway on an upward incline. I guess the house is perched up high. That’ll make the views spectacular.
Mom told me that they have a private beach. Imagine. This isn’t the life I grew up with. Dad worked in a bank, and mom was a personal assistant in a big corporation. We lived in an everyday house with a regular car. When Dad passed away, Mom kept us going with Dad’s life insurance. Then she met Conrad just over a year ago and everything changed.
I feel like an imposter when the driver opens the door for me, and I’m left to walk to the double-height doorway with just my purse as a shield. I have no idea what to expect.
What I get is my mom appearing at the door before I can even ring the bell.
“Natalie.” She pulls me into a perfumed hug that doesn’t feel familiar. She smells expensive, and the silk kaftan she’s wearing is nothing like I’ve ever seen her in before. She’s turned into a Stepford wife in my absence and I don’t like it. Mom was the only familiar thing I had to return to and now she’s different.
“Hey, Mom.”
She draws back, gripping me by the shoulders with her manicured fingers, scanning me with overly made-up eyes. “You look thin.”
I glance down at myself, even though I know I’m wearing baggy pants and a loose blouse that doesn’t reveal anything of my body shape. Nate liked it when he could feel my hip bones. He was always telling me how pretty they were, and I’ve been so busy. It’s hard to find time to eat when you’re constantly on the move.
“And you look tired.”
Wow, she’s full of compliments today.
“It was a long flight.” I smile as broadly as I can force because I don’t need an argument on the doorstep. Especially after yesterday’s misery.
“Natalie.” Conrad appears in the wide hallway, dressed exactly the way you’d expect of a semi-retired millionaire, with a broad sparkling grin that probably cost fifty thousand dollars in veneers. “It’s so good to have you home.”
Home. That’s a generous statement, bearing in mind I’ve never crossed this threshold before. I guess I should be grateful for the generosity and just put away my prickliness. “Thanks,” I say. “For the flight and for letting me stay. It won’t be for long.”
“Don’t be silly.” Mom waves her arm in an expansive movement. “This house is huge. It’s no trouble at all. Come. I’ll show you to your room. I picked the best one with an ocean view to die for. I know how much you love the ocean. Really, it is the most spectacular place to live.”
Conrad chuckles, putting his hands into the pockets of his tan slacks. “Your mom really loves it here.” There’s so much fondness in his expression that any doubts