by SJ McCoy
“Nope.”
“Well, I’m asking you now, okay? As you have no doubt gathered, we’re having a cookout this evening. It’s nothing fancy, despite the fact that I need my shirts back from the cleaners. Just friends, mostly from work.” He met Grant’s gaze, and there was a noticeable twinkle in his eye. “Chelsea’s coming.”
Molly laughed. “Did you already know about the two of them?”
Gene chuckled. “I’m saying nothing; it’s not my place.”
Grant was grateful to him for that. It seemed he did already know—but whether he knew that Grant liked Chelsea, or that she liked him, he wasn’t sure. “I’m not sure I should come.”
Gene and Molly both frowned at him, but it was Molly who spoke first. “Why not?”
He shrugged. Chelsea had been doing her best to keep her distance from him at work, and he felt he should respect that. It wouldn’t be right if he started appearing in her life outside of work—not unless she invited him.
Gene smiled. “You should come. I insist. You’ll land me in trouble with my good lady wife if you don’t. I told her I’d invited everyone.”
Molly nodded. “You really should come.”
He shrugged again—this time with a smile. “Okay, thanks.”
~ ~ ~
“Come on, Chelsea. We’d better go into that dressing up box of yours and see what you’re going to wear.”
Chelsea grinned. “Shall we have a glass of champagne first?”
Mary Ellen laughed. “We probably shouldn’t.” She checked her watch. “But we could. What are we celebrating, anyway?”
“We’re not celebrating. I just feel like a glass.”
Mary Ellen nodded and gave her a sly smile. “You seem to have acquired quite a taste for champagne lately, and I know when it started.”
Chelsea smiled. There’d be no point playing dumb. Mary Ellen wouldn’t let her get away with it. “Just because we drank champagne with Grant doesn’t mean anything. At least, nothing other than the fact that it reminded me how much I like it.”
“And how much you like him?”
She shrugged. “I’m not going to deny it, but it’s not going anywhere. It can’t.”
“I don’t see why not.”
“We’re working together!”
“Yeah, but not for long. For what it’s worth, I like him, and you know Cam does.”
“It seems everyone does. Well, except Piper. She hasn’t even met him, but she’s wary.”
“Why’s that?”
Chelsea laughed. “I don’t think it has anything to do with Grant himself. It’s because her ex was called Grant, too. From what’s she’s told me, he was an asshole.”
“Oh, of course. It sounds like he was, but that’s got nothing to do with your Grant.”
“He’s not my Grant.”
“Not yet, but we’ll see. Anyway, if we’re going to pop a cork, we should do it now. If not, we should get you dressed and get going.”
Chelsea stared out the window on the drive over to Gene’s house. “Have you ever heard of Dawson Dale wines?”
“Hmm. I think so. Weren’t they one of the old labels that went bump?”
“Yeah.”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because it belonged to Grant’s grandfather.”
“I see.”
Chelsea looked across at Mary Ellen. She was keeping her gaze fixed on the road ahead, but she had a knowing smile on her face. “Don’t look like that. I was just thinking about it. The winery was over there.” She pointed past Mary Ellen. “That’s what made me think.”
“Sure it was.”
“Whatever.” Chelsea laughed. She couldn’t argue that she’d been thinking about Grant again. “Anyway, enough of you giving me a hard time over Grant. I think I should turn it around on you. Are you going to talk to Antonio?”
“What?” Mary Ellen’s cheeks flushed. “Nobody told me he was going to be there.”
“Why would they? I mean, it’s not like you’re interested in him or need to know so you can prepare yourself or anything.”
Mary Ellen shot her an evil look before turning her attention back to the road. “No, it isn’t.”
“Oh, come on, Mary El. I think you should stop ogling him from afar and go for it. You haven’t dated anyone in ages.”
“And when I do, it won’t be Antonio. He doesn’t date anyway. He just screws around. He’s a good-looking guy. He’s loaded, and he’s got that kind of personality that women are just attracted to. That’s not someone you date; that’s someone you have a one-nighter with. If he weren’t your cousin, and if I were guaranteed not to ever see him again, then I might.”
“You should.”
Mary Ellen laughed. “No, I shouldn’t. Leave it alone, Chels.”
Chelsea shrugged. “Okay, I just think the two of you would make a gorgeous couple.”
“Ha. You know I have to agree with you there. He’s so tall and dark and … see, you’ve got me going again, but it’s not realistic. I’d be happier with a poster of him than a date with him. I’m superficial. I like the way he looks, but I really don’t think much of him as a person. He’s too cocky, too arrogant.”
Chelsea laughed. “He’s cocky, but he’s not arrogant. He’s a sweetie once you get to know him.”
“I’ll just have to take your word for that since I’m not likely to get to know him.” She turned off the highway and drove down the lane that led to Gene’s house. “Do you know who’s going to be here?”
“You mean other than Antonio?”
Mary Ellen glowered at her. “You know I do.”
“Okay, okay. Obviously, Cam and Piper. Smoke and Laura are coming over with Mom and Dad.”
“I didn’t know they were in town.”
“It wasn’t planned. They just stopped in on their way home, and once Mom told them about Gene’s little get-together, they decided to stick around.”
“That’s so cool. It makes me realize how much history Gene has with your family. He still means so much to Smoke, and Smoke was gone before I ever knew you.”
“Yeah. Gene’s flown for us since I was a little kid. He was like Smoke’s mentor when he was younger. I remember whenever we used to go anywhere as a family, Smoke always sat up front with Gene, so he could learn about flying.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.” Mary Ellen shot her a quick grin. “I will admit that your eldest brother is another one I wouldn’t mind having a poster of.”
Chelsea laughed. “You and just about every other woman I know. He used to be like Antonio until he met Laura.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine that. I don’t know him too well, but he strikes me as the devoted husband, a one-woman man.”
Chelsea laughed. “He is now, but that wasn’t always the case. He just found his perfect match. You never know, you could be Antonio’s perfect match. You could be the one he settles down for.”
Mary Ellen laughed out loud. “Drop it, would you? I could not be that woman, nor would I want to be. I told you, he’s not my type, not as a person.”
“Okay, sorry. I’ll stop teasing.”
“Thank you.” Mary Ellen pulled into Gene’s driveway. “Wow. It looks like we’re late.”
Chelsea nodded. “It does, doesn’t it? I didn’t expect there to be this many people.” She looked at all the cars parked in the driveway and spilling over onto the grass beside the garage. She sucked in a deep breath when she spotted Grant’s rental car.
Mary Ellen followed her gaze. “Ah. I didn’t know he was coming.” She grinned. “And, judging by the look on your face, neither did you.”
“I didn’t.”
“Since I’m such a good friend, I’m not going to start teasing you—yet. But consider yourself warned. One more word about Antonio and I’ll return the favor.”
Chelsea made a face.
“What? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”
&nbs
p; Chelsea shrugged. “I guess, sorry. But it’s different. You insist that you don’t really like Antonio. I admit that I do like Grant, but it’s too complicated.”
Mary Ellen leaned closer and looked into her eyes. “Why? It doesn’t have to be.”
Chelsea blew out a sigh. Was Mary Ellen right? Was she making it too complicated? “I don’t know, but we probably shouldn’t sit here talking about it. It looks like we’re the last to arrive anyway. Come on.” She opened the car door and let herself out, wondering as she did whether it really was so complicated. If she waited until Grant was finished at Zosca, then what would be the problem if they wanted to see each other?
She went around to the back seat to get the trays of cupcakes she’d made. Mary Ellen came to help, and once they were both loaded up with two trays each, they set out for the house.
The yard was filled with people. Chelsea scanned the crowd—she knew them all. People from Zosca, people from the Hamilton-Groves offices. Her parents were sitting on a rattan sofa chatting with Gene’s wife, Rita. Cam and Piper were standing talking with Laura. She smiled at the sight of Smoke and Gene, deep in conversation over by the grill. She’d put money on them talking about planes and flying. She kept scanning. There he was. As if he felt her gaze on him, Grant looked up and smiled. Butterflies swirled in her stomach as she smiled back. Was Mary Ellen right? Could it really be so straightforward? She liked him, and she was fairly certain he liked her. Why not?
Chapter Thirteen
Grant watched Chelsea make her way up the drive. She looked gorgeous, as always. She was wearing a strappy summer dress. He couldn’t help letting his gaze rest on her bare shoulders or sliding down over her full breasts and narrow waist. The dress was short, leaving her tanned legs on display for him. Damn. The things she did to him.
“Hey!” He jumped as someone dug him in the ribs. “Stop it.”
Grant spun around. Antonio sounded mad, but Grant was relieved to see him smiling. “You shouldn’t be watching, you should be trotting over there, offering to help her with those trays.”
“Come on, then. You can help Mary Ellen.”
Antonio shook his head rapidly. “Do I have to?”
Grant laughed. “Yes. Come on.” He looked at Antonio as they went to meet the girls who were now halfway up the drive. “You don’t like Mary Ellen? I didn’t think there was a woman on earth you wouldn’t rush to help.”
Antonio made a face. “Of course, I like Mary Ellen. Look at her! Look at the rack, look at the ass.” He blew out a sigh. “Look at her face and her long blonde hair. What’s not to like?”
Grant shrugged. “You tell me. There’s obviously something that puts you off.”
Antonio gave him a sheepish grin. “You promise not to tell anyone?”
Grant chuckled. “I promise.”
“Okay. She scares me shitless.”
Grant laughed out loud at that. “She does? Why? I think she’s awesome.”
“Oh, she’s awesome all right. She’s amazing.” Antonio smiled as he looked at her again, then he shook his head. “But she’s too … too … real! That’s the word for her. She’s smart and practical and down to earth.” He gave Grant a helpless look. “I just get the feeling she wouldn’t stand for my bullshit.”
Grant laughed. “You might have a point there.”
They’d almost met the girls now, and Antonio spoke in a lower voice. “Do me a favor and remind me of that if I’m ever tempted?”
Grant chuckled but didn’t reply. Instead, he spoke to Chelsea. “Hi. Do you need a hand with those?”
“Please.” She thrust a tray at him, and he grabbed it. “Thanks. I thought I was about to drop one. You’re a lifesaver.” She adjusted her grip on the other one.
“Do you … can I …?” Antonio held his hands out to Mary Ellen, but she shook her head.
“I’m fine, thanks.” She nodded at Grant and then strode off toward the house gripping her two trays tightly.
Antonio looked at Grant and then Chelsea. He shrugged and raised his hands in the air. “I tried.” He turned around and went back to the terrace.
Grant met Chelsea’s gaze. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but he didn’t dare. She was smiling and shaking her head. “Can you believe those two?” she asked.
Grant chuckled. “I’m guessing there’s a history there?”
“No, but you’d think there would be.”
He nodded. “Maybe there will be?”
“Maybe, but Mary Ellen’s adamant that there won’t.”
Grant raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that? From what I’ve seen, women usually like him.”
Chelsea laughed. “Mary Ellen’s not interested in that kind of thing.”
“That kind of thing?”
Chelsea pursed her lips. “She’s not the kind of girl who just hooks up with a guy. She’d rather date someone properly.”
Grant drew in a deep breath. “What about you?”
Chelsea stopped walking and met his gaze. “What about me?”
He swallowed, hard. Was he really going to ask her? “You said you don’t do that kind of thing normally. Would you rather date properly?”
“What are you saying?”
She really was going to make him spell it out. “Would you want to date me? Can we go out sometime?”
She stared at him for a long moment. He almost took it back, almost apologized, made an excuse—anything to put him out of the misery of waiting for her reply. When she finally answered, his patience was rewarded. “I’d like that.”
He couldn’t help the smile that plastered itself across his face.
“But …”
Why did there have to be a but? “But what?”
“We work together.”
“I know, it’s not ideal, but maybe it’ll be easier than trying to keep our distance.”
She nodded. “That has been kind of difficult.”
He smiled, glad that she’d admit she’d been struggling with it, too.
“You said sometime. Do you think we should wait until you’re finished at Zosca?”
“No!” He really didn’t. He sighed. “At least, I don’t want to. Maybe it would be the sensible option.”
“Hey, Chelsea.”
Grant turned around to see a tall, built guy with gray hair standing behind him. His gray eyes bored into Grant’s. The guy was intense.
“Smoke.” Chelsea smiled. “It’s great to see you. I love that you and Laura came.”
Smoke’s expression softened. “You know she tries to get me here whenever she can. This time it was my idea.” He turned to look at Grant again, all the softness gone from his face.
“Oh, sorry,” said Chelsea. “This is Grant Dawson. Grant, this is my big brother, Smoke—or Cole Hamilton the second, if we want to give him his full title.”
That made Smoke smile again. “Yeah, let’s stick with Smoke.”
Grant held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He was glad to know the guy was Chelsea’s brother. The way he crushed Grant’s hand when they shook let him know there was definitely an alpha male play going on. At least it was a brotherly protection deal and not a competitor for Chelsea’s affection.
“You’re the guy dad brought in?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
Smoke nodded slowly then turned to Chelsea. “And you’re still speaking to him outside of work?”
Chelsea laughed. “He’s not as bad as I thought he’d be.”
Grant shrugged. “What can I say?”
“I don’t know,” said Smoke. “But I can tell you that if Chelsea doesn’t hate you, then my father probably won’t be impressed.”
“No, it’s okay,” said Chelsea quickly. “Dad and I have an agreement that Grant’s only observing for now. He’s going to tell us what could be done, and then we’re going to decide what happens from there. I think I’m going to end up trying to buy Zosca and run it my
way.”
Smoke smiled through pursed lips. “I like that idea.”
Chelsea grinned. “Good, because I need to pick your brains about how I can raise the money. I think I’ll have to sell my shares and …”
“Don’t you need to get those cakes to the kitchen?” Grant was pretty sure that Smoke cut her off because he didn’t want her talking about selling shares in front of him.
“I can take them.” He already had one tray. He took the other from Chelsea and headed in the same direction Mary Ellen had gone, hoping he’d find the kitchen. He understood that Smoke wouldn’t want him to overhear that conversation. He just wished Chelsea had answered him about going out. He’d have to wait.
~ ~ ~
Chelsea shook her head at her big brother. “Way to get rid of him, Smoke. That wasn’t exactly subtle, was it?”
He smirked at her. “Sorry, I don’t do subtle; I don’t know how. Just ask Laura, she’ll tell you.”
“I’ll bet. I guess you were right, though. I shouldn’t really talk about selling my shares in front of anyone.”
“No. Especially not someone like him.”
“He’s a good guy. I think you’d like him.”
Smoke pursed his lips. “Maybe, but I don’t like him sniffing around my little sister.”
Chelsea laughed and hoped it might cover her guilt. If Smoke didn’t like Grant sniffing around her as he put it, she doubted he’d be thrilled to know how the two of them had started out. Cam hadn’t had a problem with it, but then he was the laid-back brother. Smoke had always been more intense, and he was also very protective of her. “Whatever. That’s really not what he’s doing, we were …”
Smoke gave her a dark look. “I do my best not to worry about you. I usually succeed, because I know that in your own strange way, you’re fairly street smart. But I’m second-guessing myself now, because if you can’t tell that that guy’s got a boner for you …”
Chelsea laughed. “Don’t. I’m not dumb. I was just hoping that you were. I was hoping you wouldn’t notice because I don’t want to get into the whole story.”
Smoke raised an eyebrow. “There’s a story?”
She nodded.
“Okay. I’m not going to interfere, then. You can tell me all about it when you’re ready.”