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“They only got engaged a few weeks ago.”
“Then what’s the hurry? Is she pregnant?”
Dustin had meant it as a joke, but Rylie groaned loudly. “Please do not even suggest that to anyone else! Some of us need to work for their money.”
That stung a bit. “I did work for my money.”
He pulled into the parking lot of Something Borrowed, and parked right next to her car. When he killed the engine, she turned in her seat to face him.
“I didn’t mean that you didn’t work for your money, but you don’t have to work now. You don’t need to be at Something Borrowed, but I do. I need this commission and I just want to make sure you’re taking this seriously.”
“Of course I am.”
She gave him a curt nod before getting out of the car, leaning in before closing the door to say, “Maybe give me a few minutes head start? I haven’t told Marley I’m crashing with you.”
“Technically, you’re crashing in my pool house and not with me. If you were, we’d both be a lot happier this morning.”
She slammed his door in response and he cringed, gripping the steering wheel with tight fists as the soft, floral scent of her lingered. He hadn’t meant to say that to her, but the fact that she acted ashamed that she’d taken his offer to help stung. He’d told himself he’d stop needling her, but it seemed he was incapable of growth.
Dustin climbed out of his car and walked inside Something Borrowed. Rylie was nowhere to be seen, but that was probably a good thing. Obviously, the two of them living and working so closely was already making their tense relationship worse.
Maybe he should just ask his mom to host the wedding at the family winery. He’d resisted pulling those kind of strings, but if it kept him out of a car with Rylie today, why not?
Once he reached his office, he dialed his mother’s cell.
“Hello, darling. How are you?” she asked.
“Fine, and you?”
“I was just getting ready to head out to lunch with Bev and Carolyn. Is there something you needed?”
“I was just curious if the ballroom had been rented the first weekend in November.”
She paused briefly. “I don’t believe it is, but I would have to check my book.”
“Would you? I have a client looking for a venue and I thought it would be the perfect spot if the weather’s bad.”
“Of course, I’ll call you when I get back. Anything else new?”
Besides the fact I’m letting Rylie Templeton stay in my pool house for free?
“Not a thing, Mom. We’ll talk soon.”
“Wait, Dustin,” she cried, and he waited. “I was hoping you’d come over for brunch Sunday. It’s been several weeks since you’ve been by and I know you’re very busy, but I am still your mother. I miss you.”
Dustin grimaced at the small guilt trip. “Sure, I’ll try to make it.”
“Thank you, honey. Okay, I’ve got to run. Talk to you later. I love you.”
“Yeah, love you too. Bye.”
Dustin hung up the phone, frustrated in more than one way. Without a definite answer from his mom about Castle Vineyards’ availability, he’d have no choice but to spend the whole day in a car with Rylie. The sweet scent of her surrounding him. Watching her twitch about in that dress…
A knock on the door made him jump. Rylie poked her head inside. “Hey, you ready to roll? I’ve got five places lined up, so we need to get on the road.”
The way she leaned in gave him a generous view of deep cleavage and he almost groaned aloud.
Time to be professional and deal, man.
