Page 56 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

“Just give me a couple of minutes. And we can talk.”

The woman was glancing between the two of them, no doubt taking in Nik’s bare feet and messy hair—he looked like he’d just gotten out of bed. Which he had, of course.

“No really, I—”

The woman came forward, her hand held out. “Hello. I’m Nik’s mother.”

Summer glanced at Nik as she shook the outstretched hand. He appeared more resigned than anything else and gave a small shrug when he caught her gaze.

“Hello, Mrs. Masterton.”

The other woman pursed her lips. “And you are…?”

God, this was awkward. She glanced at Nik, but he just gave another small shrug. She was clearly on her own here.

“I’m…Nik’s assistant. Just temporarily, while Lisa is away.”

“His assistant?” A small smile curled her lips. “And is he paying you overtime?”

“Mom!”

She turned wide-eyed to her son. “It’s a perfectly reasonable question. Are you going to introduce us properly?”

“Mother, this is Summer Delaney, who is working for me at the moment. She’s also a friend.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Summer. What a pretty name. And I’m so glad to see you here. It’s the first time Nik has introduced me to a girlfriend in…I don’t even like to think how many years. I’m absolutely delighted. It might even take my mind off the whole horribleness of the day so far.”

Nik shook his head. “What’s so horrible? It’s your birthday, and Dad bought you diamonds. You like diamonds.”

His mother’s face crumpled. “They’re too much. He only got them for me because I’m old and need cheering up and—”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake.”

Summer was attempting to follow the conversation, but she had no clue what was going on.

“He loves you,” Nik said.

“He only married me because I was beautiful and I was pregnant. Now I’m old.”

“You’re still beautiful, and you’re not old.”

“I’m fifty.”

“So what? Dad’s seventy-five.”

“It’s different for men.”

Someone cleared their throat behind Summer. The other two were too focused on each other to notice, but Summer turned around. Harry stood in the open doorway.

Great, just great. If there was one person she would like to see less right now…

He gave her a nod, then looked to Nik, and a slow smile curved his lips. He stepped up beside her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Shouldn’t that be my question?” He looked her up and down, amusement glinting in his blue eyes. “Are you casing the joint?”

“Yes,” she snapped.

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