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“It is.” He stepped up to her and tapped the end of her nose with his finger. “If you ask me really sweetly, I might let you take it for a spin.”
“I’m always sweet,” she said.
“I remember.”
Rylie’s heart slammed at his deep murmur, and every rational reason for why she was angry with him flew right out of her head as his head dipped. His mouth drew closer and her eyes fluttered closed, waiting…
“There you two are!” Tonya called.
Rylie’s eyes flew open and she jumped away from Dustin. Tonya stood just a few feet away with Moira Kent.
Dustin’s mother.
Oh, God, what if she saw that and got the wrong idea?
What, like maybe I’ve fallen in love with her son?
That thought scared the hell out of her. Falling for him was just asking to have her heart broken. He was so far out of her league in means and experience… There was no way he’d be happy with her long-term, even if by some insane chance the feeling was mutual.
And there was no way Kelly would be happy about two of her employees dating.
“Hey, Tonya. Hello, Mrs. Kent,” Rylie said, praying her voice sounded steady.
Moira was beautiful, with golden blond hair and the same gorgeous blue eyes her son had. Dressed in a powder blue dress and cream pumps, she wore a rope of pearls around her neck that looked very real. She screamed money and sophistication, two things Rylie lacked.
“Good morning,” Moira said, her warm voice at odds with her cool appearance.
“Hey, Mom. Tonya. Have you eaten yet?”
“No, we were waiting for you two. Hello, Rylie. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.” Moira stepped forward and pressed her lips against Rylie’s cheek, surprising her. “You look lovely.”
Rylie ducked her head, intimidated by this incredibly classy woman. She’d put on a simple floral blouse and black pencil skirt. She’d forgone her usual heels in lieu of a pair of comfortable Toms, and standing next to Moira and Tonya, who looked like a million bucks in a yellow maxi dress and strappy white sandals, she was regretting the decision.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Is Blake inside?” Dustin asked.
“Yeah, he couldn’t wait. He was pretty hungry this morning.”
There was something about Tonya’s smile that told Rylie she was the reason for her soon to be husband’s voracious appetite, and Rylie almost tittered. She liked the fact that Tonya wasn’t stiff and fake like some of the celebrities they handled. She was genuine and nice.
“Well, let’s go join him.” To Rylie’s surprise, Moira linked her arm through hers and walked alongside her up to the lodge. “I must say, I am so excited to see what you and my son have been doing for Tonya’s wedding. She has told me about everything.”
“I really hope she’s as thrilled with the finished products as she is the mock-ups,” Rylie said.
Tonya bumped Rylie’s shoulder. “I’m right here and I know I will be.”
Rylie looked over her shoulder at Dustin, who was walking slowly behind them. He shrugged. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just here to smile and look pretty.”
“That’s right, dear,” his mother said, winking at Rylie.
This was not what she’d expected. She’d hardly spoken to Dustin’s mother, besides a passing hello, but she’d always imagined she’d be stuck-up and cold.
How wrong she had been.
They walked into the dining area, and Rylie greeted Blake, who was shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“Baby, I swear, sometimes I think you were raised in a barn,” Tonya said, sitting next to him.
