I look down and admire my pink toenails.I’ve never been a girly girl, but I have to say that my first makeover turned out well.I like how I look, which is a surprise.I thought I’d hate all this.I’m enjoying it.But I’m damn glad none of the guys at the ranch can see me.
Well, except for Declan.
“Day-uuum!”Kirk strides our way.His eyes are huge, and his smile is wide as he takes me in.“Holy wow, Summer!I’m speechless!”
“Promise?”Declan mumbles under his breath.
Kirk is quite handsome in his snug, charcoal-gray suit with no tie.I much prefer the classic cut and the dark blue of Declan’s suit, though.Not that it’s a competition or anything.Because it’s not.
Kirk kisses my cheek and takes my hand.
Declan groans in misery.We all stare at him.“Onion rings,” he says.
Only then do I realize that Kirk hasn’t taken his eyes off me.He doesn’t even notice Bryttni until she marches right up to him and gets in his face.
“I’m Bryttni,” she says.
Hold up.Her voice has somehow morphed from cat in heat to purring kitten.
“You must be a model,” she continues, fingering Kirk’s suit cuff.“I thought Summer was exaggerating but you really are as hot as a volcano.”
Kirk seems delighted.Declan’s neck is getting splotchy.
“Let’s roll out before they give away our table,” Declan mutters.He shoots me a glare that saysthis-is-your-faultbefore he rests a hand on Bryttni’s ass and shoos her into the restaurant.
Really?You’re groping her ass?
I’m on the verge of releasing a long stream of curse words when I feel Kirk’s hand squeeze mine.He makes small talk until we’re escorted to our table.
This place is a little overwhelming.More ornate than any restaurant I’ve ever set foot in.I hear live piano music tinkling in the background.Fresh flowers are everywhere.The lighting is romantic.The whole place glitters.
We’re directed past a heavy velvet curtain and into a private VIP room.
An overstuffed, semicircular booth is positioned at an angle near a huge window, providing an eagle’s view of the shimmering fountains, the sparkling city, and the dark mountains beyond.The tabletop is covered in white linen, crystal, and china.
“This is all forus?”Bryttni squeals.
“All foryou,” Declan says, giving her left butt cheek a friendly pat.
Gropingandpatting before we’re even seated?This is going to be an evening for the record books.
Bryttni slides in first from the left side and Kirk slides in from the right.He pats the leather for me, as if there’s anywhere else for me to sit.
Declan collapses directly across from me.Great.Not only do I have a perfect view of the city and desert, but I also have a perfect view of the way Declan’s pulled his lips into a grouchy sneer.
“I hear they serve amazing oysters on the half shell,” Kirk says, bringing my fingers to his mouth.He stares at me suggestively and turns my hand to kiss the inside of my wrist.It feels weird.
Declan smacks his palm on the table.The glasses and silverware clang.“No oysters tonight,” he says to no one in particular.“Summer can’t have oysters.”
“Huh?”I stare at the man, sure he’s lost his chicken-fried mind.“Why not?”
“Allergic.”
“I amnot.”
“How would you even know, Summer?The only oysters you’ve enjoyed are of the Rocky Mountain variety.”
“And?Real oysters look like snot balls.There’s not enough hot sauce in the world for me to want to glurp down an oyster snot ball.”
