Mindy Cooper had the feeling that she was going to enjoy getting to know Tyler Schuyler. He was attractive, smart and extremely wealthy. A definite win-win-win combination. Not that Mindy was totally shallow; it was simply that she was getting tired of being broke all the time and tired of dating men who were in the same financial boat that she was in--a very leaky one at that. While Tyler didn't make her heart thunder or her knees shake, he was perfectly acceptable. He was also pretty sweet.
Mindy dressed carefully for her first dinner at Schuyler Manor. She had met Mavis Schuyler before under less than wonderful circumstances so she hoped that tonight would offer her the opportunity to give Mavis a better impression of her. After all, they might be related some day.
"It's nice to see you again," Mindy said when Mavis Schuyler opened the front door of her home. "You look lovely, Mrs. Schuyler."
Mavis studied her with such cold eyes that Mindy almost shivered. "Yes," she agreed. "Well, come in."
Mindy pasted a pleasant smile on her face. She was determined to win Mavis over and show the older woman that Mindy was excellent daughter-in-law material. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner," Mindy said.
"It's my pleasure," Mavis said in a tone that implied she was lying through her teeth. "Please have a seat. Tyler will be home shortly."
"Yes, he said he'd be here by seven," Mindy told her.
"I'm surprised he didn't pick you up on his way home."
"I thought it would be easier for him if I drove," Mindy replied. "He was coming from the opposite direction and I didn't want to be a burden." She coughed slightly, hoping Mavis would offer her something to drink. No such luck. Instead Mavis sat down on the floral couch across from Mindy and continued to gaze at her until Mindy was fairly certain that an icicle was forming on the tip of her nose. "Tyler won't come into any real money until he's thirty," Mavis announced.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said that Tyler won't come into his trust until he's thirty. I thought you should know that."
"Ummm....why?"
"Just in case you think he has scads of money right now. He's not destitute but he isn't all that wealthy either. My late husband and I set up trust funds that would protect our sons from gold diggers."
Mindy felt her face begin to burn. "I'm not a gold digger," she began but then stopped. Hadn't she accepted a date with Tyler because he came from a wealthy family? Didn't she want to find someone who had more money than she did? Of course, as a journalist just about anyone she met had more money than she did. "I'm sure you and your late husband were only looking out for Tyler and his brother."
"We certainly were. Keep that in mind, Mandy. I've never been a hands off kind of mother."
"Actually my name is Mindy. And I admire the fact that you're so involved in your son's life." Mindy tried not to choke as she was speaking. Would it be worth it to marry Tyler if his mother was part of the deal?
"Hey, Babe." Peter Van Husen strolled into the room and planted a huge, wet kiss on Mavis. In spite of her sincere efforts to try and like Mavis Schuyler, Mindy enjoyed seeing her squirm Mavis looked like she'd just been kissed by a slobbering octopus. "What time is dinner?"
"The same time it always is," Mavis replied as she extricated herself from Peter's groping arms. "Eight o'clock. We have a guest, Peter. Try to control yourself."
Peter turned and flashed Mindy a shiny smile. "I know you," he said. "You're the girl reporter who's always being a pain in the butt."
Mindy tried to smile back but she had the feeling her smile didn't make it all the way to her face. Oh, boy. It looked like it was going to be a long night.
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