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“Okay then,” Tonya said with an awkward laugh.
“She’s talking about her rescue dog,” Dustin said.
“I figured it was a pet,” Tonya said. Rylie pulled out her phone and turned it so Tonya could see the picture. “Oh, what happened to him?”
“Some mean people set him on fire. I still think he’s handsome though.”
“He’s definitely got character. Love his smile.”
“Thank you,” Rylie said, putting her phone away.
Then Tonya addressed him. “How about you, Dustin? Anyone special?”
He debated how to answer and ended up going for honesty. “There is.”
Rylie stiffened next to him and Tonya leaned forward, completely ignoring her dinner. “Really? What’s she like?”
“Special.”
“That’s it?” Tonya asked.
“Tonya…” Blake growled.
She held her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. You don’t want to talk about her with a total stranger. I get it.”
He could feel Rylie shooting him glances, but he didn’t meet her gaze. It was one thing to want her, but it was another thing to tell her that. Especially when she was still making plans with that Will guy.
They finished the rest of their meal, and by the time the check came, the happy couple was yawning. Dustin grabbed the bill before anyone else could and when they all protested, he waved them off.
“Please, this is a small thing. You two just go back to your suite and relax. We’ll meet you at the winery for breakfast, and take a tour of the grounds.”
“You’re right, he is bossy,” Tonya said to Rylie.
Rylie laughed at his incredulous look.
“You told her that?” he said.
Tonya winked at him. “Oh, she wrote about you a lot in her e-mails.”
Rylie’s whole face turned red and Dustin was suddenly dying to know what was in those emails.
They all walked outside, and said their good nights. Before Rylie could escape, Dustin called out to her. “Can I get a ride back to my car? I came with Blake.”
She nodded as she unlocked her doors. “Of course.”
Dustin got in and when she’d put the key in the ignition, he teased, “You know, I find it a little sexist that you didn’t open my door for me, and yet, I always get it for you.”
“It’s a sexist world, my friend. You could always stop getting my door.”
He put his hands over his heart, as though she’d offended him just by suggesting it. “But I’m a gentleman. It’s engrained.”
“Harrumph.”
The rest of the ride was silent, until Rylie parked next to his car.
“Have fun with your plans.”
Dustin rotated in his seat and watched her expectantly. “Why do you say it like that?”
