Page 14 of Promise You Forever

“Pleasure,” Sam reaches out and shakes Brandon’s hand.

“This is my fiancé, Brandon.”

“Nice to meet you,” Colt says.

“Is there anything left to do?” I ask, wondering if I can make an excuse and slip out for a bit tonight.

“No, between us and Luke, everything’s good.”

I’m not looking forward to introducing Luke to Brandon. I’m not sure if he’ll remember Brandon’s name or not. If he does, I don’t know if he’ll say anything.

“Janey wanted me to invite the two of you out for dinner while you’re back. She’s dying to see you,” Sam says. “And you have to meet Coop.”

“I’d love that. I’m sure I can find time.”

“I don’t have service out here,” Brandon holds his phone up like the extra two feet off the ground will help. “Does this place have wi-fi?”

Colt and Sam share a look, eyebrows raised incredulously. I don’t blame them. Brandon is being so dismissive and off putting. It’s embarrassing.

“Yeah, let’s get everything inside.” I open the liftgate, and Brandon grabs his bag and follows me into the house.

We run into Jasmine in the foyer, and I make another introduction. She tells me that Grandpa is having a good day, remembering nearly everything. I want to jump on the opportunity to introduce Brandon while he’s in a good mood, so I show him up to our room and then drag him back downstairs as soon as he sets his bag down.

“Grandpa?” I say hesitantly as I enter the kitchen with Brandon at my back.

“Hi, sweetie.” He sits at the island beside Luke as they eat dinner. “Who’s this? And what happened to your face?” He stands quickly, and I watch Luke’s entire body tense as he approaches me.

I gingerly touch my cheek and look at Luke for guidance. He widens his eyes and shrugs, no help coming from him. I guess I’m on my own.

“Dorothy head butted me while I laid fresh straw in the goat shed yesterday.” I can’t tell him the truth; it would gut him. “And this is my fiancé, Brandon.” I slip my arm around Brandon’s waist and lean against him.

“Nice to meet you, young man. You better treat my girl right.” Grandpa shakes his hand.

“And you are?” Brandon looks at Luke, sizing him up.

Luke looks right at me while he answers. “Luke Stone. I’m the ranch manager.”

Charlie runs into the kitchen excitedly but puts on the brakes as soon as she sees Brandon. She’s never warmed up to him, not that he really interacts with her anyway. Instead, she runs over to Luke, tail wagging and tongue lolling.

I shouldn’t compare Brandon and Luke, but them existing in the same room makes it nearly impossible. They’re both beautiful men just in polar opposite ways. Brandon is still dressed like he just stepped off of Wilshire Boulevard in his designer clothes. His blonde hair, brown eyes, and California tan play perfectly against his lean body. He stays in shape by running and surfing, and it works so well for him.

But then there’s Luke with his muddy boots and dusty wranglers that hug his body in the most criminally attractive way. His sculpted muscles come from a lifetime of hard labor. Years of hard experiences are reflected in the vibrant blue of his eyes.

Eyes that are directed on me as Brandon speaks to my grandpa. I don’t know what they’re talking about, too lost in my own thoughts. I’m sure Brandon is using his salesman charm; he knows how to work it on just about anyone.

“Let me show you around the house, give you a tour.” Grandpa slaps Brandon on the arm and heads out of the kitchen.

“I’d love that,” Brandon says genuinely. He follows behind as Grandpa starts talking about when he built the house.

“Tell me that isn’t the same guy who wouldn’t fuck you in college,” Luke says after taking a pull from his bottle of beer.

I lift my chin, defiantly staring him down. “And if it is?”

He shakes his head in disappointment as he sets his bottle down. “What happened to all the red flags you said he had?”

“Red flags never stopped me before,” I say pointedly.

“So, what, I hurt you and you ran straight into that asshole’s bed?”

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