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Genevieve watched as Skylar and Franky began walking along a boardwalk that led through a woodsy path. “Where are they going?”
“Schultz Cottage on the lake. It’s a short walk from here.”
She was thinking how nice that must be to have enough money to have a house on Lake Michigan, but she was afraid to say that. She was still unsure of why he’d gotten so upset about her comment earlier, and she didn’t want to upset him further.
He walked to her side and opened the door for her. At least he was still a gentleman. She climbed in and, remembering the lipstick, pulled out the tube and applied it quickly, glancing in the visor mirror before Kurtis got in to make sure it looked good. She pressed her lips together and put the lipstick away just as he got settled in, and he noticed her putting it away.
His eyes met hers and then dropped to her lips. His nostrils flared a little before he started the car and the engine revved to life. She expected him to put the car into gear, but he didn’t. He simply turned on the air conditioning and shifted to face her.
“I’m sorry about before. The Schultz family gets judged unfairly sometimes. Yes, they have a lot of money, but they’re not what you think. They’re good people. Down to earth people.”
“I never said they weren’t good people. I said I didn’t expect them to own a place like this. I like Skylar. A lot. I can tell she’s down to earth and fun and sweet. I feel like we could be good friends.”
“You will be.”
“Sebastian seemed the same. He was nothing but warm and friendly to me. Maybe a little too friendly at times, but—”
“What does that mean? Did he try something with you?” The muscles in his jaw twitched.
“He was just flirty, but I wasn’t interested in him.” She looked straight into his eyes. “I’m interested in someone else.”
“Are you?” He swallowed hard.
“I like this guy at work. He’s sweet and handsome and a true gentleman.”
“Oh, yeah?” His lips turned up in the cutest smile.
“I don’t want a guy with billions of dollars,” she told him. “I wouldn’t know what to do with all that money, anyway. I’m sort of a simple girl, if you hadn’t noticed. I don’t need for much. It’s how I was raised.”
He grew quiet and distant again. She wasn’t sure what she’d said this time.
“Can I show you?” she asked.
He looked at her then. “Show me what?”
“Where I was raised.”
NINETEEN
He hadn’t meant to get so upset with her. She’d just been sharing her honest thoughts, and he loved that she felt comfortable enough with him to do that, but her nonchalant comment about wealthy people had made him feel very defensive of himself and his family. Sure, his reaction was probably confusing to her, considering he was supposed to be living on a public relations salary, but he couldn’t help it.
And then she’d said she didn’t want a man with money. What was he supposed to do with that? He wanted to see where this relationship was going, but what if she really didn’t want all the negative things that came with a life like his? And there were plenty. It wasn’t all glitz and glamour, though there were moments like that too. But there was also judgment and prejudice on the part of others. There were times when it was impossible to tell someone’s true motives, fear of being taken advantage of, and difficulty making real friends because of it. What if she didn’t want all that?
He drove along the highway leading south out of Grand Rapids. He was surprised she’d invited him along. It seemed like the kind of thing reserved for someone you were dating, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see where she’d grown up.
After driving through another small town called Hastings, they made a few turns on rural roads, even passing a black horse-drawn buggy, carrying an Amish family to their home. They really were in the middle of nowhere.
“It’s just up here on the right.” Genevieve’s lovely voice cut through the silence.
When they pulled into the driveway of her parents’ farm, a short heavy-set woman emerged from inside, smoothing her dark blonde hair back from her face before straightening out the apron she was wearing. Her eyes widened as she clasped her hands together and took in the Porsche they’d arrived in.
Sebastian got out of the car and walked around to help Genevieve out. She took his hand when offered and gave him a sweet smile when she stood. He wanted to keep holding onto her hand as he had on the way to the restaurant earlier, but she let go and went to hug her mother.
“Oh, my.” Genevieve’s mom admired the car again. “Fancy.”
“Yeah, it’s a nice car, Mom.” Genevieve seemed to dismiss it quickly.
Her mom looked over at him. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”