“Well, that’s a lot more than I thought you’d give me. Figured you two would still try to deny there’s anything going on between you even though I’m pretty sure people up in Montana are aware by now.”
I roll my eyes and place my empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray.
“Wait, we’d still deny?”
“Yeah, after that last meeting we had with the board about the social media campaign, I tried getting some info out of Brooklyn, but she acted confused like there was nothing.” He raises his hands. “Hey, I get it, you want some privacy. I won’t pry.”
About 10 seconds of silence falls between us—enough time that my stomach does a little flip at the thought that Brooklyn might be hiding us.
“So, are you guys official or . . . ?”
I glare over at Trent. “So much for not prying.” I let out an exasperated sigh. It’s not like Trent and I are in the habit of sharing our most intimate feelings with each other, but what the hell, I’m turning over a new leaf and all that. “I thought we were but, uh, not sure she wants people to know, it seems.”
“Well, she is new here, and new at the company. She probably wants to make a good impression and really solidify her place. You and I know things are laid back out here, but city folk do things a little differently. I’m sure if she dated the owner’s son while she was employed anywhere back in Chicago, she could risk losing her job.”
Trent is most likely right, though I can’t say it doesn’t sting a little to be a secret. I’ll explain things to her so she doesn’t feel weird about people finding out about us.
“Since when are you the type of guy who cares about that shit, anyway? I don’t think you ever once introduced a woman to any of us as a girlfriend.”
“Guess things are different this time.”
Brook looks over at me, her eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room. It feels like there’s nobody here but us. She smiles, waving her hand sweetly before being pulled away by someone else.
“That Brooklyn is something else.” My mom appears to Trent’s right. “She had nothing but amazing things to say about you, Tyler.”
“Oh, I’m not surprised,” Trent mutters as my mother raises an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“I think our boy is in love, Mom.” Trent lazily flings his arm over my shoulder and I quickly shrug it off.
“Jesus Christ, this is why I don’t come to these things.”
“Well, I think you two would be lovely together. You need someone like her. She’s sweet and outgoing and loves to take charge.”
If my mom wasn’t standing here, I’d say something to the effect of you should see how submissive she is when I pull off my belt.
My mom gasps and places her hand on my arm, startling me as if I did say it out loud.
“You should invite her to our family Thanksgiving. I heard her saying she isn’t going home for the holidays.”
That’s actually a good idea. I feel a little shitty knowing Thanksgiving is only a few days away and I haven’t asked her what she’s doing yet.
“I’m getting some air.” I walk across the room and exit through the patio doors. There’s a large outdoor dining area that’s used in the warmer months. It overlooks a beautiful stream with a small waterfall. I lean my elbows on the railing and look up at the inky-black sky dotted with sparkling stars.
“Hey.”
Brooklyn’s voice interrupts my thoughts—thoughts about what Trent said. When Brooklyn and I spoke about this dinner, and the fact that it was an hour from the ranch, I told her we should make a weekend out of it and get a hotel in Loveland. She agreed but talked me into driving our own cars to this dinner so no one would catch on—an agreement I’m now regretting.
I’ve waited my whole damn life for this kind of love; I don’t want us to be a secret.
“Are you hiding me?” I ask.
“Hiding you?”
I turn around to face her. “Yes, hiding me. You ashamed that we’re together? Are we together?”
She nervously places her champagne flute down on a bar top table in the corner near the door.