Page 32 of Tempting Promises
I do nothing to back Charlotte up and her eyes narrow, lips pursed as she nudges her head toward Kimberly. Nope, not saying a word. “Okay, well, I’m happy to show you around and go over things here. Rowan, thanks for bringing my credit card back, I’ll see you around. Bye.”
Seems I’ve been dismissed. Only, if Charlotte is vying for this contract as well, there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to walk away easily.
I smile my most charming smile. The one that gets the girls willing. “Why don’t we take our tours together? I think it would probably be easiest since our farmlands connect in the back acreage, if you toured hers first and then we just went right into mine from that field. I can walk with you guys, and then Charlotte can come with us to mine.”
Charlotte’s eyes are saucers. “That’s not going to happen. You should go back to your farm and wait.”
Kimberly looks to Charlotte, then to me, and then back again. “I think it’s probably best to do these separately. I’m sure you both have things you’d rather the other not see.”
“Exactly,” Charlotte says.
“Not at all,” I say at exactly the same time.
“I’m completely fine with Charlotte touring my facility. Is there a reason you’re not comfortable?” I challenge her, knowing this woman will not back down, which means I get my way.
“Absolutely not.” Charlotte’s voice has a sharp edge to it.
God, I love pissing her off.
Kimberly looks between us again. “If you don’t mind, I’ll tour here and then come to you. I think it’s really for the best I get one-on-one time with each of you.”
I nod once. “Understood. I’ll see you soon.”
I head back to my house, shaking my head at the absolute shitshow this all could’ve been. If Kimberly had shown up at my house earlier this morning, I’d have opened the door with Charlotte literally in my bed.
Not that anything happened with Kimberly or Charlotte, but it would’ve been a hundred times more awkward.
When I arrive home, ready to clean up and do whatever I can to make the farm look better, I head out to the barn where my sister is apparently waiting for me.
Great, this is going to derail my day.
Brynlee looks up, already shaking her head. “You really know how to stir up the town, all of you do.”
“It’s a gift,” I say with a smirk.
“You should return it.”
“I would, but I like it too much.”
Brynn huffs. “You carried Charlotte out of the bar?”
“She was drunk, really fucking drunk, and some guy was being aggressive with her. I had no plans for it to go down the way it did.”
“But you defended her?” she asks, her eyes softening.
“Of course I did. I may not like the woman, but I’m not going to stand by when someone is being a fucking asshole to her. She was clearly shitfaced and didn’t want the guy’s attention. He wouldn’t back off, so I backed him off.”
My sister smiles warmly. “And people think you’re an asshole. If they only knew that big mushy guy on the inside.”
“That’s Asher, not me.”
“Oh? I don’t think so big brother.”
I sigh heavily, knowing that trying to fight with Brynlee is like running on a treadmill, thinking you’re going to end up getting somewhere. “Okay, Brynn.”
“You’re all so hell-bent on being these big, tough guys.”
“No, wearebig, tough guys.”
