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Which admittedly, I’m enjoying. Brock Steel is tall, dark, and handsome—literally—with the body of a god. All the Steel men—even Talon and his brothers, at their age—have bodies like gods. To be in the presence of so many beautiful people is kind of humbling. I always thought I was pretty, but in this bunch? I’m average at best.
Brock returns with two fresh glasses of champagne—er, bubbly—and hands one to me.
“Thanks.”
“Tell me,” he says, “is the Steel wine any good?”
His question shocks me. “It’s amazing. Why do you ask?”
He takes a sip. “Honestly? It all tastes the same to me. I guess I didn’t inherit the wine gene. I’m more of a beer man myself, and that’s only when I drink, which I rarely do.”
“Why are you drinking now, then?”
“For Diana.”
“We already did the toast. You didn’t have to refill your glass.”
“I know.”
“So why did you?”
“Because I wanted to refill yours. I’m a gentleman.”
I let my gaze drop to his crotch for a microsecond. “Do all gentlemen wear such revealing swimwear?”
He laughs. A big and boisterous laugh. The kind I’ll never hear from Dale. “Are all California girls as sassy as you are?”
“Sassy?” I take a sip of wine.
“Yeah, sassy. I was on the swim team in college, and this is what we wore. I got used to it. Trunks feel like they’re ballooning up when I’m in the water.”
“Oh. Sorry. I guess I just assumed…”
“That I wanted to show my goods to the world?” He laughs again. “To my family?”
Warmth spreads to my cheeks. Luckily it’s dark outside now, though the pool area is well lit. “I can’t get out of this, can I?”
“Well…maybe I’ll let you out of this horribly embarrassing moment…if you take a walk with me.”
“Now?”
“Why not? It’s a beautiful evening.”
“Well…where?”
“Anywhere. We have some gorgeous paths on the ranch. Perfect places to look at the stars.”
I warm again, this time from the memory of watching the stars just last night with Dale in the vineyards.
I clear my throat. “What do you do, Brock?”
“When I’m on a walk?”
I force out a chuckle. “No. I mean for a living.”
“I work with my Dad. He takes care of the beef portion of the ranch. I’m pretty much his right-hand man these days.”
“So you’re making the ranch a career?”
“Yeah. My brother heads up our charitable foundation. He’s not interested in ranching. Dad was excited when I showed an interest.”
“So most of your cousins work for the company, then?”
“Most. Donny doesn’t. He’s a lawyer. And Ava has a bakery in town. Gina, Angie, Sage, and Bree are still in college, though Bree’s going to work with Uncle Tal in the orchard. Then there’s Diana. You already know she strayed.”
I take another sip of sparkling wine and nod. “Architecture. Yeah.”
“I’ve got to hand it to you, babe”—Brock finishes his bubbly and sets his glass on a nearby glass table—“you found an interesting way to keep from talking about walking under the stars.”
I smile weakly.
“I’m not your type, huh?”
“Are you kidding? You’re everyone’s type.”
“What gives, then?”
“I don’t think it’s a great idea to get involved with anyone in the family while I’m working here.”
But it’s perfectly okay to give my new boss a blow job outside his office.
God, Ashley. Such a hypocrite!
But my advice is sound. I just should have taken it this morning.
“Babe, it’s a walk. I’m not asking you to get down and dirty in the grass.”
True, he isn’t.
“Would it make you feel better if I put my regular clothes back on?”
I finish my second glass of bubbly and set the flute down. “Maybe. I’ll change back as well.”
“A shame. You look amazing.”
So do you.
He does. But I can’t say it. I just can’t. As handsome and nice as Brock Steel is, he’s not Dale. Dale, who’s even more handsome, but not nice at all.
Why am I so drawn to him?
I hold back a scoff. He’s not here. He left the party. The party for his sister, who’s leaving tomorrow. He’s an introvert. I get it. But for God’s sake, this is for his sister, whom he professes to adore.
“Thank you,” I say, “but I’m not used to Colorado evenings. A bikini isn’t going to cut it. I’ll go change, and I’ll meet you on the deck, all right?”
“Sounds great.”
I hastily walk back to the house and to my bedroom.
Only to find Diana sitting on my bed in tears.
“Dee?” I sit down next to her. “Oh my God. What’s wrong?”
“I feel like… I feel like this internship isn’t right.”
“Hey, where’s this coming from?”
“I’m second choice, Ash. Everyone’s out there toasting me and acting like this is some big deal, but it’s not. I’m second choice.”
I try not to laugh, but Diana’s privilege is showing. People who grew up like I did jump at second choice. Hell, we jump at any choice at all.
