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“Your grandmother wouldn’t happen to be… A Rockefeller, would she?” I ask with a gulp.
“What do you mean?” Dash asks, as we pull up in front of the house.
Correction: The estate.
Because holy premium guacamole, this place is insane.
I climb out of the cab, eyes wide. There’s a full-sized fountain spurting plumes of water into the air, leading to the front steps of the sprawling mansion, which is a vision in pale pink stucco. Lush green lawn rolls in all directions away from the house, with flowers and shrubberies, and, oh yes, the ocean is right there behind the house. As in, beach front.
As in, I can’t even imagine normal people living in a place like this.
“You grew up here?” I ask in disbelief, still taking it all in.
Dash grabs our bags. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”
“Then this explains everything.”
“You’re here!”
We’re interrupted by a shriek of delight, then Dash is smothered in a hug from a pretty girl in her mid-twenties, wearing a floral sundress and a wide-brimmed hat. “Oh my God,” she gushes, “What took you so long? She’s on her third Tom Collins, and you know once she hits four, she’ll go straight for the piano and there’ll be no escape.”
The girl turns to me, lighting up with curiosity. “So this is the girl?” she smacks Dash’s arm. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“Because you never let me get a word in.” Dash grins good-naturedly. “Callie, meet my annoying sister, Piper. Piper, this is Callie.” He pauses, before adding, “My girlfriend.”
Piper’s jaw drops. “Your what?” She cups her ear. “Say it again, because I’m sure I heard you wrong.”
Dash rolls his eyes, “I’m not that bad,” he protests.
“Yes you are!” Piper and I both answer at the same time, then laugh.
Piper turns to me, linking her arm through mine. “I like you already. Tell me everything about you and my reprobate brother.”
“Well, I, umm…” I pause, wishing I felt better prepared for this.
“Lay off,” Dash interrupts us, “Callie just arrived. Let her unpack before you give her the third degree. And you,” he says to me, “Don’t listen to a word she says. Unless it’s flattering things about me. Then, I think you should listen extra hard.”
As we head towards the house, I hear the sound of music and laughter drifting from behind the house. “Is someone having a party?” I ask, glancing to where the neighbors must be.
“Unfortunately,” Piper replies.
Dash stops. “She didn’t.”
“She did.” Piper gives me a sympathetic grin. “I’m sorry. Grandma wasn’t sure that he actually had a real-live girlfriend, so…” She trails off. “Well, see for yourself.”
Piper leads us through a massive, gleaming lobby with marble floors and a huge circular staircase, and straight to the back of the house. The back wall is made of French doors, and they all stand open, revealing more manicured lawns, a palatial terrace, and a stunning view of the ocean.
That, and a hundred-plus gorgeous women.
I look around in shock. OK, so maybe it isn’t all women. There are some couples, and older people here too, and a bunch of guys hanging out by the bar area in pale linen pants. But mostly?
Women. Dolled up in pastels, sipping champagne. Diamonds and gold gleam at their ears and throats. All they need are a few ponies and hats and we could reshoot a beach version of the polo scene from Pretty Woman.
And meanwhile I’m not-so-fresh from the airport, wearing my most comfortable cargo pants and a tank top. “Did we stumble into the next season of the Bachelor?” I whisper to Dash, tugging my grungy shirt that I’m pretty sure is sporting a light dusting of pretzel crumbs.
“I swear, I had no idea,” he says, and from the grim look on his face, I believe him.
“I’d say enjoy the party, but…” Piper winces. “I can’t stay, I have a video conference, but good luck!”
