Her Heart

Chapter 24

Carter's POV

Riley's on her way here. My parents didn't actually want to have the dinner at the house. They decided to invite her to the villa we have by the beach.

It's a warm night and I can hear the sound of the waves hitting the shore. Since it's almost summer now it gets dark late so the sun is still out.

The table is already set. We're just waiting for Riley now.

"Megan there's no need for that." I hear Mom tell Mama which catches my attention.

"Better safe than sorry." She mumbles and they come around the corner.

I smile at them, "What was that about?"

Before Mama can answer the doorbell rings. I already know it's Riley.

I look at them both but mostly Mama, "Please be nice. Don't make her run the other way."

"Why are you looking at me?" She says pretending to be offended.

"Because you're trouble." I tell her as I make it to the door.

I open it and immediately smile, "Hi Ry."

She's wearing a tank top with a beautiful blazer over it.

"How rich is your family?" She asks gawking at the cars

Mama loves her cars and over the years she's begun to have a collection of them. But Mom doesn't let her keep it at the house so she keeps most of them here.

"We're not rich."

She points at one of the cars, "Yeah that Bugatti is just something antique you know."

I pull her in" Shut up and come in."

I intertwine our fingers and walk her to the table. Mama is staring her down intensely but Mom hits her shoulder and she forces a smile.

Mama reaches her hand out, "Nice to see you again."

They gesture for her to sit at the table and she does. I take my place right next to her and she puts her hand on my thigh. I can tell she's a little nervous.

Mom made the food so everything's gonna be amazing. We all make our plates and Mama clears her throat.

"So Riley tell us a bit about yourself."

Oh here we go.

Riley wipes her mouth, "Well I'm a professor as you guys know. I just moved here a few months ago and I have a daughter."

"You have a daughter?" Mom interrupts her.

Riley nods, "I do. She's my everything."

"Where did you live before you moved here?" Mamas tone sounds a little different like business wise.

Riley glances at me and gives me a confused look but answers anyway, "France."

"You seem like a person who moves a lot." Mama eyes her down.

"I like traveling."

Mama looks like she's about to fire back but mom hits her again and she shuts her mouth.

Riley's phone starts ringing. I look down to the table and there's just an initial on the phone B. She goes to pick it up but Mama interrupts her.

"What did you do in France?"

She clears her throat obviously a little annoyed at the questions, "I worked at a warehouse."

"What kind of warehouse. What did you really do before you were a professor?"