WMIS 08 Forever With Me (3 page)

“And Dom has paired them with a late harvest Riesling,” Blake adds. “It’s sweet and will go nicely with any of these flavors.”

“Wow,” Meg mutters and she takes a bite of the raspberry lemon and sips her wine. “That’s amazing.”

“Megan,” Will sighs and clenches his eyes shut. Meg giggles and licks the frosting off the chocolate cupcake, looking up at Will with wide, innocent eyes, clearly just egging him on.
 

“What did I do?”

Will laughs and eats the remaining cupcakes on his plate, then wipes his mouth. “I think I’ll take you home and show you what you’ve done.”

Meg raises a brow. “Sounds fun.”

“Oh, it’s gonna be more than fun.” Will turns hot blue eyes on me and I can’t help but bite my lip. The Montgomery men are hot, but add turned on and they’re just…
wow.
“Do we have anything else we need to discuss today?”

“I take it you both approve of the menu?” I ask, and sip my Riesling, as I look through the catering contract on my iPad.

“I love it,” Meg confirms.
 

“We’re still waiting on some of the RSVP’s,” I inform them with a shrug. “But that’s not uncommon. Most people hold onto them past the due date.”

“How many do you have so far?”

“We have 232 confirmed yes,” I reply, and Meg gasps as Will shrugs.

“That’s a
lot
of people.” Meg glances nervously at Will. “This is going to be really expensive.”

Will chuckles and kisses Meg’s forehead softly. “It won’t break us.”

“I can cut back on the flowers.”
 

Blake and I share a glance, thinking we should leave and let them talk, but Will just laughs and leans in to whisper in Meg’s ear. Her worried face relaxes and she bites her lip and nods as Will kisses her temple and pulls away, shaking his head as though he finds her adorable.

“We’re good. I keep having moments of panic,” she admits. “And then Will has to talk me down from the ledge.”

“Perfectly normal,” I reply with a smile. “This is a big deal.”

“Yeah.” Meg nods and takes another sip of wine. “Emphasis on
big
. But Will’s team is big, we have a big family and lots of friends. I have so many colleagues and friends from the hospital. I don’t want to leave anyone out.”

“Hey, you should celebrate with everyone you love.” Blake smiles kindly at Meg, and I remember why I love him so much. He’s a
nice
guy.
 

“Thank you.” She smiles back at him and then glances up at Will who has continued to watch her. “So, we’re meeting on Wednesday out at the vineyard?”
 

“Yes. We’ll walk through and talk about the set up and all of the final details. But you don’t have anything to worry about. All of the vendors are ready and the food is now approved and ready to go. The hard part is over.”

Meg’s smile is wide and happy. “Okay. We’re getting married.”

“Thank God. This has been the longest engagement on record.” Will scowls down at Meg, who just laughs and rubs her hand along his rock-hard arm.
 

“It’s almost over, football star.”

“Let’s go home.”
 

Hugs and handshakes are exchanged, and as Will and Meg turn to leave, I return to my seat, sip my wine, and ask Blake to look over the final contract with me.

He steps behind me and rubs my shoulders as we read through it together and I melt back against him. “So, this price point should work up to 250 guests. But I need you to work up the additional price, should it go as high as 300.”

“There are still that many RSVP’s out there?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Hey, what are you doing here, man?” I hear Will say as he and Meg reach the lobby.

“I have a meeting with Blake.” Dominic’s voice.
 

“You should see if they have any of the food we just tried left over. It’s awesome.”

“I’m fine, but thanks. Did you like the wine pairings?”

“They’re perfect. Thank you, Dom.” Meg replies. “I wish you’d let us pay for the wine.”

“No,
bella
. It’s a gift. Have a good day. I’ll see you this weekend.”

A chill runs down my spine as Blake leans over me to point at something on the contract. He’s still kneading my shoulder with the other hand. I have no idea what he’s just said, so I just nod.
 

“I’m sorry you’re having a rough day,” he murmurs and kisses the top of my head. “Headache better?”

“Yeah,” I lie, and offer him a small grateful smile, then look over my shoulder to see Dom watching us. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his slacks. He discarded his suit jacket long ago and rolled the sleeves of his white button-down up his forearms, showing off his tanned skin. His tie is loose. His dark hair is messy, as if he’s run his fingers through it in frustration.
 

And his jaw is clenched and his deep blue eyes are full of heat and anger.
 

My thighs involuntarily clench at the sight of him, and my mind immediately goes to my dream this morning. Those hands and his mouth on my skin.
 

What would it really feel like?

I turn away and take a deep, calming breath as Blake crosses the room to Dom and shakes his hand.

“We’re just wrapping up here.”

“No problem. I’m a little early. I’m meeting my sisters for lunch in a few hours, so I thought I’d see if you could squeeze me in.”

“Absolutely.”

“We’re done here,” I hear myself say, as I power the iPad down and stand, preparing myself for Dom’s usual flirtatious come-ons and charming smile. I can stay professional.

I
will
stay professional.

I smile at both of the handsome men, but instead of offering me a cocky smile, Dom simply nods at me and turns to leave the room.
 

“I’ll meet you in your office,” he says to Blake, who turns a questioning look to me. I just shrug.

“Who knows? But I need my bag from your office.” I march with my head held high into Blake’s office and retrieve my handbag, shove my iPad inside and turn to Dominic. “The wines you chose are perfect. Thank you.”

He nods. “My pleasure.”

I don’t know what else to say, so I fumble through with, “Enjoy your sisters. Thanks again, Blake.”

Before I can turn to leave, Blake pulls me into his arms and gives me a big hug, rocking me back and forth.
 

“I’ll call you later. Take something for the headache.”

I pull away and again Dom is watching me with hot blue eyes. He rubs his hands over his mouth and looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t.

And I can’t figure out why I
want
him to. It’s good that he’s not asking me out or flirting with me.

I’d just turn him down like I always do.

“I will.” I nod and walk out of Blake’s office and wonder what in the hell
that
was all about.

Chapter Two

~Dominic~

Alecia sends me one last long look and then walks out of Blake’s office, head held high and hair pulled up in a smooth twist at the back of her head, if a bit unruly today. She’s wearing a pink suit that fits her like a glove, molded to her amazing figure, and the sexiest heels I’ve ever seen. The confusion in her brown eyes sends an unexpected pain through my chest, but I quickly dismiss it.

I can understand that for the sake of professionalism she’s turned down my advances over the past year, but she never once mentioned that she was in a relationship.

Had I known, I would have backed off long ago. I don’t poach on another man’s territory.

Ever.

Certainly not on a man that I consider my friend and a respected colleague.

“So, like Alecia said, the wines were a hit with your brother and Meg,” Blake says, as he sits behind his desk.

“I’m happy to hear it,” I reply and smile to myself. It’s still a bit of a surprise to hear the words
your brother.

I have four of them, and despite knowing them now for more than a year, there are moments that it still knocks me back a step. I’ve grown to love the Montgomery family, and to my utter shock, they’ve welcomed me into the family as if I’d been with them since birth.

But I wasn’t.

“How many bottles will I need to order?” Blake asks, bringing me from my thoughts.

“None. My staff will take care of it. We have plenty on hand.”

Blake cocks a brow in surprise. “It’s a lot of wine.”

“I have a lot of wine,” I reply with a smirk.

“Okay, one less thing for me to worry about.” He shrugs and taps some keys on his computer. “So, we need to talk about the family reunion event late next month.”

“Yes.” I lace my fingers and cross my legs. “Did they decide on a menu?”

“They can’t come to an agreement.” He rolls his eyes. “Some are vegetarians. Some aren’t. Blah, blah, blah.”

I laugh and shake my head. “You’ll figure it out. I can choose a red and a white that will compliment almost anything and call it a day.”

“That works.” He nods. “You know, you should hire someone to handle all this stuff for you.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Seriously. Alecia does this stuff. You should hire her to organize your events.”

No. Way.
“I’m quite sure Alecia is busy enough with her own business and her relationship.”

His eyes jerk up to mine and his hands still on his keyboard. “Alecia’s in a relationship?”

I cock my head to the side and narrow my gaze on my friend. “You’re going to tell me you’re not sleeping with her?”

Blake blinks and then laughs, clapping his hands as if I’ve just told the best joke all year.

I don’t find it particularly funny.

“No.” He shakes his head and goes back to typing on the computer. “That ship has sailed, man.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that she and I started out as fuck buddies and discovered that we actually
liked
each other, but weren’t in love with each other. God, I haven’t slept with Leash in…almost two years.” He shakes his head again and chuckles.
 

“You’re very affectionate for a friend.”

He stops typing again and watches me for a moment before answering. I don’t drop my gaze.
 

“I love her like a sister. I know her, inside and out, and would do just about anything for her. She’s probably one of the best people I know. She had a shit day, and needed a hug. So I gave her one.”

She had a shit day.
And I added to it, no doubt.

“I’m sorry that I misunderstood.”

Blake leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers together. “You’re interested.”

“I’ve been interested for a long while,” I admit, and rub my hand over my mouth in agitation. “She’s made it clear that she doesn’t return the sentiment.”

“Hmm.” He focuses on something over my shoulder, briefly lost in thought. “It’s not a bad idea.”

“What?”

“You and Alecia.”

“Did you not just hear what I said?” I shake my head and turn my attention to my phone, pulling up my notes for the family reunion. “So, a white and a red—”

“Alecia says no to everyone,” he interrupts. “She’s not quick to trust. But I think you would be good together.”

“Thank you so much for your approval,” I reply dryly.
 

“Oh, you’ll need it,” he says perfectly calmly. “Because without it, you’d be fucked.”

I simply stare at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Alecia doesn’t have contact with her family. I’m it. If I didn’t like you, it would be a no-go.”

“It’s a no-go anyway. She’s. Not. Interested.”

He shrugs and returns to his computer. “Seems to me a girl like Alecia might be worth a little extra effort.”

The anger and frustration is swift. Extra effort? I’ve tried to get her to go out with me for a fucking year. The answer is always the same: thank you, but no.

I hate hearing that fucking word. No.

***

“Hey, handsome brother!” Jules grins, her blonde hair loose around her pretty face. She’s wearing a flowy, red sundress and looks amazing.

“
Ciao,
bella
,” I reply and kiss her cheek.

“Me too!” Natalie says and leans in to kiss me, then presses herself against me for a long hug.

Along with four brothers and all of their beautiful women, I gained two beautiful sisters as well. Natalie, like me, was brought into the fold later in life, after her own parents were killed in an accident. It seems the Montgomerys enjoy adding to their brood.

“
Ciao, cara,”
I whisper into her ear. Her dark hair has been braided down her back. She’s in jeans and a tank top, looking happy and beautiful. “To what do I owe the honor of being invited to lunch with you two?”

“We just wanted to see you,” Natalie replies innocently.