And yes, we did go to dances as a group.
It wasn’t like I was going to go with anyone else—who did I really spend time with outside of them? Plus, when some guy from our class had attempted to ask me, Yates had been…unhappy. So ever since then, it had just been the five of us at every dance.
Honestly, having four different dance partners was very fun. Stratton never showed up despite me inviting him every single time, but I had stopped being disappointed by that. If he thought that would persuade me to drop our friendship, he had another thing coming. I was persistent as all get-out when it came to the people I cared about.
I knew he would give in one day—I promise you that.
This morning, all of the moms were dressed similarly to myself. Haven’s golden hair was swept back in a ponytail, and she was wearing a white polo dress with a designer scarf around her neck, perfecting the picture of elegance I’d come to expect from her.
Then there was Trinity Gates, the twins’ mom. She was essentially the exact opposite of Haven in the best way possible. Her strawberry blonde hair was a mess of curls that she didn’t bother to style, and she wore bright blue framed glasses that made her brown eyes stand out all that much more. Unlike the other moms, she wore a patterned sundress that I recognized from her trip to Sri Lanka only last year.
It didn’t matter that her dress wasn’t ‘normal’ country club attire, because with the amount of influence and money she had, the woman could wear and do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Gates Unity funded hundreds of thousands of different relief efforts across the globe—some of which would be funded by today’s event—so she was always traveling back and forth. The number of international political events that she’d been invited to blew my mind, and somehow, despite the busy schedule she and her husband kept, they never seemed frazzled. Rather the opposite, taking everything in an easy and relaxed stride.
I did love hearing about their trips, though, and seeing the photos she took inspired me to go abroad myself. Trinity had mentioned to me that she had always wanted a daughter, and while I knew she obviously loved the twins, I very gladly took that position and had considered even taking her up on the idea of traveling with her to practice my photography skills.
I know, a burden I would willingly take, right?
I’d been sitting with the four of them for most of the morning, but I’d moved over to this empty cart my boys were using as they played this particular hole. Dermot, who had chosen not to play today, stood next to the cart, watching the match with interest. After last night, I’d been a little worried things would be weird between us, because obviously it had been really intense and we didn’t know each other well… but he was acting perfectly normal. In fact, I almost felt closer to him than before, and it was really nice. I kept expecting for there to be some level of discomfort between the two of us, but instead it was like we were just meant to get along.
Plus, I had to admit, the man cleaned up really well, and I was fully enjoying the view. He had looked amazing in a tux last night, but right now, with his auburn hair styled back and his jaw freshly shaved? I was having issues not staring at him. His large, muscular build was covered in a dark green polo, embroidered with what I believe was the Ross family crest, with tan athletic pants that made his butt look fantastic.
I know! I didn’t even realize I had a thing for butts, but I couldn’t lie, the man had a great one.It felt wrong not to appreciate a great ass.
“What was that?” Dermot asked, his accent thickening with slight heat as my eyes widened. I snapped my head away, looking around, as if I wasn’t the one who had just clearly said that last comment out loud.
Good job, Dahlia! Way to sound like a weirdo.
“Ever play?” I asked, nodding towards the others, attempting to distract from my very obvious awkwardness.
His amusement was clear as he decided to let me off the hook. “No. Can’t say it’s ever interested me. I have watched plenty enough, but if I’m going to play something, it’s probably going to be football or cricket. I played it through most of school.”
I liked him more because he didn’t like golf.
“High school?” I asked curiously.
“After sixth form I stopped playing so seriously, but I still managed to join in on a few matches while at Trinity,” he explained in a happy, relaxed tone. I blinked at him, wondering how much of an idiot I would sound like for asking what sixth form was and the age he’d been and how the heck he’d been… did he say he went to Trinity?!
“You went to Trinity University?” I asked curiously.
“Finished this past spring.” He nodded and then smiled. “Why?”
“I just didn’t expect that,” I said, then tilted my head. “What did you study?”
“I’m full of surprises, lass.” Dermot’s smirk was a bit hot as I blushed. He continued, though, saving me from looking like a pink-faced idiot all because he smiled. “Economics, actually. Although whether I’ll use it or not is up in the air.”
“Wow.” I put my elbow up on the seat and continued my obnoxious questioning. “So which do you like more—soccer or cricket?”
“Football,” he scowled.
“Totallysoccer,” I mused. Not that I was complaining—I found soccer players totally hot. I could imagine him shirtless on the field… just saying.
Dermot’s eyes flashed dark as he continued, “What about you? Don’t play golf? I imagine you’re here more often than not.”
“I actually am terrible at it,” I said, flashing a smile. “I’m decent at tennis, but that is where my athletic talent starts and stops.”
“Dahlia is fantastic at tennis, don’t let her hustle you,” Yates stated as he walked over, putting his choice of club away in his silver, personalized golf bag. One that I may have possibly purchased for him…
What?It was a good Christmas present! For my archnemesis.Yeah, I was understanding the problem with my logic.