That would’ve given me at least a year or two notice before it would’ve been my turn, but I supposed Gregory Van Allen’s appearance had made Dad decide to start at the bottom. At the youngest.
As much as he wasn’t wrong about Gregory, he truly was charming, and gorgeous, and that accent? It was so freaking hot, but I still couldn’t picture myself building a life with the guy. Instead, my thoughts kept drifting back to this morning.
ToTrent.
It hadn’t been a real date, not in the traditional sense, anyway. There had been no dinner, no planned evening, no candlelight, and no awkward small talk forced by societal expectation.
Just coffee, walking, and talking. Laughing. Sharing. For the first time in forever, I’d spoken to someone and felt that spark, the little flicker that reminded me I was more than a Westwood heir or a volunteer on a schedule.
It was the last thing I would have expected to feel withhim, but Trent was the first person who was part of this world—myfamily’sworld—who had listened to me talk about my passions, and actually understood. He hadn’t looked bored or acted like I wasadorable. He’d been genuinely interested. He’d asked questions and told me more about his sister’s foundation.
As I closed my eyes, I let the memory wash over me. His easy grin, the way he listened without interrupting, and the way he hadn’t assumed he knew everything about me just because of my last name.
I’d been overlooked by my family all my life, yet somehow, he had made me feel seen. And I hadn’t been able stop thinking about him. It was confusing as hell. Just six months ago, he’d utterly humiliated me, but it wasn’t only that.
Considering his relationship with my brother and my cousin, it was also completely forbidden that I think about him in these terms. Taboo. Bro-code nonsense.
Yet, it was somehow entirely intoxicating.
I sighed and flopped down on my mattress, staring at the ceiling. I’d opened up to Trent. Maybe I could open up toGregory as well. Really open up instead of just nodding politely or smiling while he belittled my work. Maybe I could tell him about my mom, about her warmth, her laughter, and the things she’d taught me that I felt I needed to convey to other girls who’d lost their moms too.
Maybe if I told him about my own interests, my passions, my hopes, and my dreams, he’d realize I wasn’t just adorable. Maybe that hadn’t even been the real him. Maybe he’d just been nervous or distracted, or maybe I’d misjudged him.
My thoughts drifted to my parents then. Their marriage had been arranged and they’d been deeply, madly in love. It was the same with Harlan and CC. My cousins, Sterling, Jameson, Callum,andHarrison had all recently navigated this same path, and somehow, despite everything, they were nauseatingly, sickeningly happy.
So why not me?
I could have that too. All I had to do was trust my dad’s judgment and give Gregory a chance.After the barbecue, perhaps I’ll realize that Daddy is right after all, and that Gregory absolutely is the one for me.
CHAPTER 10
TRENT
Colby had me on a video call first thing that morning, walking me through a few new projections for the ranch and a whole heck of a lot of decisions that had to be made. As my foreman, he was shouldering a ton of responsibilities while I was away, but he and I had worked hard to get to a point where he could stand in for me while I was gone.
At the same time, I’d dumped him in the deep end by leaving so abruptly. I really did need to get back for a bit. Tie up a few loose ends.
Even so, impatience snaked through me while we spoke. Alex and I had a meeting I had to get to, so eventually, I glanced at my watch, realized I was out of time, and ended the call with a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.
“Look, just keep your head up,” I said. “I need to run, but I’ll be back on the ranch soon. We’ll sit down and work through all this. For now, just do what you can and I’ll catch up when I get home.”
“Sure thing, boss.” He gave me a smile backlit by the Texas sunshine. I caught a glimpse of sprawling pastures and blue skies before he was gone.
I sighed, slamming back against the armchair in my living room and dropping my phone in my lap to run both hands over my face. As much as I hated summer in Texas, I really fucking missed it right then. I didn’t have time to dwell on it, though. Duty called.
I drove out to a processing facility on the outskirts of the city to get a feel for what Chicago could actually offer us long term. The place smelled like disinfectant and cold metal, and the air had that buzz of machinery that never really stopped.
Alex showed up halfway through the tour in a crisp suit and shiny shoes. Somehow he managed to make it look like this was his natural habitat. We walked the length of the facility together, talking numbers, logistics, and next steps. Stuff I usually liked. Stuff I actually needed to know.
Today, my mind kept drifting.
I almost brought up Charlotte twice. Three times, if I was being honest.
Once when Alex was ranting about distribution delays. Once when he mentioned this weekend’s projections. Once more when we stopped in the middle of a loading bay and he checked his phone for the tenth time. Every time I opened my mouth, I stopped myself.
It was just coffee. That was all. A weird, accidental, surprisingly good time while we were drinking it, but that was no reason to bring her up.
When we wrapped up the tour, Alex grinned at me. “Dad’s having a barbecue at the house tonight. You should come.”
