Page 105 of Loud Unspoken Memories

Mia frowns. “How sad. So he lives in Florida, too?”

It surprises me how much people seem to know about me when Dallas isn’t one to talk. “Just outside of Orlando.”

It hits me that Allie hasn’t stopped drooling over Asher since the moment they met in the car. “How old is your niece?” she asks.

“She’s twelve.”

Allie sighs. Hard. “And he raised her almost all by himself? Impressive.”

“He basically raised me too.” I go on to tell them about how my dad died and he became my guardian.

“Wow, he really is the whole package, isn’t he?” Allie says. “I think I love him already.”

I want to scold her. Tell her it’s impossible to fall for someone you don’t even know. But really, who am I to talk? Not after how hard I’ve fallen forherbrother.

“Oh my god, here he comes,” Mia shrieks like we’re freshmen in the school cafeteria and the varsity quarterback is on his way to our table.

“Ladies,” he says to them then turns to me. “Lucas was wondering if he could have a word.”

I point to myself. “Withme?”

“That’s what he said. Why don’t I keep these lovely women company while you go talk to him?”

Allie and Mia look more than a little ecstatic at his offer.

I find Lucas perched on a barstool and take the empty one to his left. “Asher said you wanted to talk to me?”

“I did. I like what I’ve seen and I’d like to make you an offer.”

“Um… whatkindof offer?” I ask hesitantly, considering what I know about this guy’s history with women.

He laughs heartily. “I guess I should have started with the fact that what I’ve seen refers to your profession.”

“Oh.” I feel my cheeks redden with embarrassment.

“But it’s nice to know my reputation precedes me.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware Dallas had shown you anything.”

“He showed me all right, and I think they’re fantastic. In fact, I believe it’s exactly what we need to take us to the next level. I’ve been wanting to shake things up for a while now. See if we can compete with the big dogs like Mondavi, Gallo, andFrères. With your incredible vision for our branding, I think we’ll be off to a good start.”

I’m sure my mouth is hanging open, but I can’t seem to close it. I’m trying to wrap my mind around what he’s saying.

“Marti?”

“Yeah, I… um, so you want to buy those graphics? I was just fooling around, Lucas. If you’re serious, I’m sure I can do much better.”

He chuckles. “If that was you fooling around, I can’t wait to see what else you come up with. And, Marti, I want to do more than buy the graphics. I want to commission you for a total rebrand including website, on-site signage, label design, and ongoing advertising.”

My momentary feeling of jubilance wanes. “I’m not going to be anyone’s charity case, Lucas.”

“You think I’m taking pity on you because my brother is a total twat bag who doesn’t know a good thing when it’s standing right in front of him?” He laughs sadly. “I’m all too familiar with that, Marti. But, no, that’s not why I’m interested. I’m interested because you’ve impressed the hell out of me. I’ve spent a few days getting my hands on everything I can find out there with your name on it. I’m interested because I’m quite sure if I don’t snag you, it won’t be long before you’re so busy, you won’t have time for any new clients. I’m interested because no matter what happens between you and my brother, I think your designs are fucking amazing.”

“Stop it.” I blush. “You’ll give me a big head.”

He laughs and calls over the bartender. “So what’s it going to be, Marti? Are we ordering celebratory shots or aren’t we?”

I look into his eyes, eyes that are similar to those of the man I love, and try to assess the genuineness of his offer. I haven’t heard a lot about Lucas from his brother, but the one thing I did pick up on is that Lucas is one hell of a businessman. It makesme relatively confident he wouldn’t do this because he feels sorry for me, or as some kind of favor to Dallas.

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