“No, relax. Sit and enjoy the party. You dealt with enough already.” I’m trying to communicate with her how much I appreciate her taking care of my dad. That couldn’t have been easy. The old man is a grumpy ass**le with a mouth that never, ever stops.
“Okay. As long as you’re sure.” She smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She looks so beautiful and so incredibly fragile sitting there next to the pregnant Ivy, who’s glowing with vitality. Compared to her, Bryn’s natural light from the last week is dimmed. She doesn’t need the beige tonight. Even in magenta she looks subdued.
And I hate that. Knowing I’m the cause of it all.
“Could I talk to you for a moment though?” I suddenly ask. “Privately?” I need to make sure she’s all right.
“Sure.” She shrugs those beautiful, bared shoulders and stands, going round the table so she’s next to me. I lead her away to another table at the far end of the courtyard, ignoring Archer since I can feel him watching me. Just waiting for me to slip up and somehow touch Bryn inappropriately in front of him.
Jackass.
“What’s going on?” she asks when we stop to talk.
“Did my father say something to you? Did he offend you or try to put his hands on you?” I ask, cutting right to the point.
She sighs, hangs her head. “He said a few things. Nothing that I haven’t heard before.”
What the hell does she mean by that? “What are you talking about?”
Bryn lifts her head so her gaze meets mine once more. “He asked if the two of us were—sleeping together yet, though he phrased it a little more crudely.”
I inwardly groan. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him we weren’t, of course, which is the truth.” She stresses the last word. “He didn’t believe me.”
“What a bastard,” I mutter, running my hand through my hair in pure frustration. “How did you get him to leave?”
“Well, he wouldn’t stop with the crude remarks and insults so I finally dragged him to his feet and hauled him out of here. Turned him over to the guys working valet, and they got him to his car,” she explains matter-of-factly.
While I wish I could’ve been there by her side to defend her, I’m also proud of the fact that she handled herself so calmly. “You’re amazing,” I say softly, wishing I could touch her. But I can still feel Archer’s eyes on me so there’s no way I’m going to do it.
“I did what you asked. Don’t make it out to be more than it was.” She offers me a wan smile. “Is that all you wanted to ask me?”
“Bryn.” Unable to help myself, I reach out and touch her arm lightly. Screw it. I don’t care what Archer thinks. “Are you okay? You seem upset.”
“Nothing like a little dose of reality to bring me back and remind me of what I really am.” The smile turns brittle, and she inclines her head toward the rest of the partygoers circling in the courtyard. “You need to go talk to everyone else and make them all happy that they got a chance to speak to the owner of the new and rather impressive DeLuca Winery, don’t you think?”
I let my hand drop. “Can I see you? Later tonight?”
She slowly shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mr. DeLuca.”
And with those last words, she walks away, leaving me in the dust.
Chapter Nine
Bryn
THE PHONE HAS been ringing constantly since I got into work this morning, but I blame that on the aftermath of the party. Everyone’s looking for Matt, including me. Though I shouldn’t. I’m not sure if I’m quite ready to face him yet.
I stayed home the entire weekend, not daring to go out, barely glancing at my phone. I ignored the calls and texts from Ivy and Marina, ignored the single text from Matt too. It wasn’t work related so I figured I was safe. The text had come Saturday afternoon, asking if I’d survived the night okay, and I didn’t bother answering.
How could I tell him the night had been a revelation? That I realized exactly who I am and what people saw when they looked at me? Well, specifically what men see, minus the bland outfits and boring hair.
That hurt, though deep down inside, I knew it. That’s why I hid, pretending to be something I’m not.
Avoiding Ivy and Marina was tough because I would’ve loved to confide in them but what if my confession turned them against me? All the old worries and insecurities swamped me these last few days. It’s hard to shake those old habits when they’d been such a part of my life for so long. Men don’t respect me, they never have. I didn’t have many friends growing up, and I definitely haven’t had any since I’ve come to California.
I’m scared if I tell Ivy and Marina my fears, what happened between Matt and me, what his dad said about me, they’d see me differently. Dumb, I know since they’re the ones who convinced me to go after Matt in the first place, but I can’t help it. I’m afraid they’ll know what I really am versus what I present. A silly dumb girl who is only thought of for her sexuality, not her brains or her skills.
And I don’t know if I could face them, seeing the judgment in their eyes.
Besides, I know they kept reaching out to me because they only wanted to gossip about Friday night’s party or analyze what happened between Matt and me. I’d rather not think about it at all. The more I do, the more upset I become, especially when the things his dad said to me come into play.
I bet you chase her around your desk all the damn time, trying to get your hands on that ass. I know I would.
Spending the majority of the weekend in bed watching bad TV and eating junk food didn’t do anything to help my mood either. By the time I got my act together and prepared to go into work, I had bags under my eyes, my skin was kind of pale, I felt five pounds heavier, and I had a zit on my chin.
Great.
I showed up right on time though, not wanting to disappoint anyone—specifically Matt. Not wearing any beige or my severe hairstyle either, deciding to give in and go with what’s natural for me, not the phony front I’ve put up since I’ve arrived here. Clad in the dress I wore last Monday, with the black background and blue and green flower and bird pattern, I leave my hair loose and hanging down my back.
I’m tired of the facade. Of being something I’m not. If I had my slightly trampy clothes from my time in Hollywood or even my wardrobe from Cactus, I’d be wearing them. Today. Right now.