Page 26 of When We Break

“You didn’t snag one?” she asks. “You seem like the dog type. Riley’s takenwith you.”

Here’s to hoping his owner is just as taken with me by the end of this date.

“No time for a puppy right now. I hope you like pizza.” I frown over at her once I’ve parked. “I should have asked.”

“Are there people whodon’tenjoy pizza?” She grins and moves to open the door, but I stop her.

“Wait for me.”

Pushing out of the car, I walk around and open her door, reach across her to unbuckle her belt, and take her hand to help her out of the tall SUV.

Once we have Riley on his leash, we walk inside and are quickly shown to our table on the rooftop.

“Down,” Skyla says to Riley, and he lies under the table at her feet.

I have so many questions about the dog, but I’m going to hold those until later.

Instead, we order drinks, Guinness for both of us, and settle in with the menu.

“What do you like on your pizza?” I ask.

“I lived in New York City for a decade, so I’m pretty much a pepperoni kind of girl, but I’m open to suggestions.”

“Works for me.”

“Bee tells me that you own a dairy farm,” she says, sipping the beer placed in front of her. “Ah, I get one of these a year, and it’s bloody fantastic.”

“Just one? And you’re using that one on me?”

Skyla winks at me over the rim. “That I am. Now, tell me about your farm.”

“Tell me why you only get one beer a year.”

“Because it has a lot of extra calories, and dancers stay away from those. Maybe now that I’m not dancing professionally anymore, I could have it twice a year.”

Yeah, I have a million questions.

“The farm?” she prompts me.

“Yes, I run a dairy farm I inherited from my parents. I also have a fairly new guest ranch that’s a pain in my ass.”

“Yes, guests can be difficult. My family owns hotels.”

Gallagher Resorts. Everyone in the world recognizes that name, even if they don’t travel often. It’s as recognizable as Hilton or Ritz-Carlton.

“Honey, your family owns an empire.”

Her cheeks darken, and she shrugs a shoulder. “Yes, well, that’s true enough. I grew up in hotels all over the world, and I can tell you that whether you’re a small operation or a large one, patrons can be difficult.”

“You didn’t want to go into the family business?”

We’re interrupted by the server who takes our order, then Skyla leans her elbows on the table.

“I didn’t want to work for my family, no. I’ve been a dancer since I was old enough to walk. I moved to New York City to dance when I was just sixteen.”

I lift an eyebrow. “I assume your parents went with you?”

“My mother did for a while. Then they’d send a nanny or my brother. I always had someone with me to help, but I was so focused on the work that it didn’t matter who was there. I was too busy working my way up through the ranks until I finally secured a prima ballerina position. It’s all I wanted. And I worked my arse off for it.”

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