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“Chase is excellent at building things,” I agree. “And he still owes me a table. I’ll have to nudge him about that.”
“Look!” Polly points at the doorway. “London and Drew Montgomery came! We invited them but weren’t sure if they’d be able to make it.”
Erin is already hugging her cousin, Drew, and Polly turns to me with happy emerald eyes and a wide grin.
“I love seeing you this happy,” I inform her as I drag my fingertips down her jawline.
“I love parties like this. Everyone looks great. London’s wearing a Louis Vuitton dress, and it’s amazing.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you love parties like this for the fashion.”
She blinks up at me and then frowns. “Well, yeah. Of course.”
“And you’ve never been to fashion week?”
She shrugs a shoulder. “Someday.”
Try this year, babe.
“Polly, can I please pick your brain before dinner starts?” a pretty brunette, likely in her forties, asks Polly. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting.”
“Not at all, Elizabeth,” Polly replies. “Do you know Ryan Wild?”
“I don’t think so,” Elizabeth says, shaking her head. “But I just moved to Bitterroot Valley last year, so I’m still meeting people.” She smiles and holds her hand out to shake mine, and then she frowns up at me. “Wait. Are you that Ryan Wild?”
I cock an eyebrow. “Which one would that be?”
“Yes, he’s that one,” Polly says, laughing. “What can I help you with?”
“Sorry.” Elizabeth chuckles and clears her throat. “It’s nice to meet you, Ryan. As you know, Polly, I sell real estate, and it’s actually going very well. Better than I’d hoped, being new to an area. Bitterroot Valley is popular right now. But you said something at a meeting not long ago that made me think.”
“That could have been anything,” Polly says with a laugh.
“You mentioned that we shouldn’t spend money on trends to plug our business. That it can be a waste and not profitable.”
“Ah, that. Sure. I mean, it depends on the trend, of course, but yeah.”
I’m listening raptly, and the change that Polly’s entire demeanor takes, from the carefree woman at a party to a fierce businesswoman, is a sight to behold. Both sides of her are alluring as fuck.
“There have been some new trends circulating in my field that seem fun,” Elizabeth continues. “But holy shit, the out-of-pocket expense on them is huge, and I don’t feel like there’s much ROI there, you know? But it’s so pretty.”
“I’m the queen of loving pretty things,” Polly says, tapping her chin. “But, Liz, are the pretty things helping your bottom line? Or are people going to buy or sell regardless? Because at the end of the day, I’d want the money in my account so I can buy myself something pretty, or simply save the money for something else in my business that will bring in more money on that end.”
“You’re right,” Liz says with a nod. “It’s just so tempting to jump on the fun trends.”
“But is it a good business decision?” Polly counters. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate here. If it’s not going to elevate your business or drive income for you in some way, it’s not worth it.”
“Thank you.” Liz exhales and grins at both of us. “I already knew that, deep down. I just needed to hear it.”
“Trust your gut,” Polly advises. “You’ll be great. Have fun tonight.”
“Oh, I will. Now, I have to go find my husband. He was talking with someone named Drew Montgomery about football, which means I may never see him again.”
Liz walks away, and I bend down to whisper in Polly’s ear.
“I want to carry you out of here, find a quiet spot, and fuck you until you can’t breathe.”
Her green eyes fly up to mine in surprise. “Why? I mean, no complaints here, but what did I do?”
