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“Excellent,” Hillary replies and bustles off to get our order started.
“Okay,” Ryan begins, leaning forward. “Tell me about the Collective.”
“I’m sure your sister has told you some,” I reply.
“Millie never tells me everything.” He shakes his head. “Besides, I want to hear it from you.”
“Well, it came about because my circle of friends and I are all business owners, and we really just want to lift each other up, help each other, you know?”
He nods and sips his ice water.
“But then we realized that there’s a need for a sense of community, a place to learn from each other, whether it’s about marketing, strategy, or just simply brainstorming. The meetings are so fun, and we always have a guest speaker to give us food for thought. I got the idea for the light furniture I just bought from someone at a meeting not long ago, and I found someone who is a genius when it comes to branding. I love it.”
“It sounds amazing,” he agrees, sitting back when Hilary brings the bottle of wine. She uncorks it and does the thing where you pour just a sip into a glass and presents it to Ryan. He sniffs it, then takes a sip, tasting it. “That’s great.”
I happen to glance at the wine list sitting on the table and about swallow my tongue at the price of this bottle.
Jesus, that’s my mortgage payment. For one bottle of wine!
But I don’t say a word as my glass is poured, and when he holds his glass up, he grins at me.
“To first dates.”
“To first dates,” I echo, and we clink our glasses together. This wine is rich and slides down my throat so nicely. I hum in surprise. “Wow, that’s amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Me, too, given what you paid for it.” I slap my hand over my mouth and stare at him in shock. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
CHAPTER SIX
RYAN
Ican’t help but chuckle at the complete and utter horror on Polly’s face. “It’s fine, Polly.”
“That was rude,” she says in a loud whisper, looking around to see if anyone heard her. “And I’m sorry for it.”
“It wasn’t rude. It was true. It would suck if the wine was crap, given the price. But, it’s a good wine.”
“Are people always awkward around you?” she wants to know. Jesus, she’s hot, sitting across from me in that dress that makes me wonder what’s under it. When she licks her plump lips, I want to spend the better part of an evening nibbling and kissing them. Polly’s been front and center in all of my sinful fantasies for the last year. “Ryan?”
“Sorry?”
“Do people always say awkward stuff around you? Because of the money? Let’s not beat around the bush about it, because I’m curious, and I don’t want to feel like I’m walking on eggshells here.”
“Always? No. And before I go on, I want it known right here and now that you will not feel the need to walk on eggshells around me. Ever. Say what you want to say. You won’t offend me, Polly. We’ve known each other for a long time. You’re my best friend’s sister. There’s no need to feel self-conscious about anything.”
“Thank you,” she says with a smile. “I agree. That’s why I asked. So, people aren’t weird?”
“I didn’t say that.” I laugh as the server sets the appetizer on the table and refills our wineglasses. “My family and the people who have known me for years have never treated me differently. I have issues that I need to work through with Remington, but that doesn’t really have anything to do with money.”
I sip my wine, thinking it over.
“Mostly, people think they can get something for free from me. Family? Yes, absolutely. Gifts are my love language, so I like to give. But those who don’t know me, don’t care to know me, and just want a piece of the pie? Fuck that. They’re either fired or cut off immediately.”
“Does that include women?” She raises an eyebrow and sips her wine. “I’ve seen the articles and photos of you on red carpets, along with the women on your arm.”
“Including women,” I confirm, watching her. “My circle is small, and I like it that way. Sure, sometimes things are said because people get nervous. You didn’t say what you did out of nerves.”
