Page 39 of Impossible Love

I laugh, but the memory of that innocent afternoon hits me like a physical blow. It’s an event I’ve suppressed, yet here it is, every painful detail now fresh in my mind. I didn’t have a care in the world as I returned from that matinee, only to find my father waiting for me at the front door, his face red, my report card clutched in his fist.

I’d done it. The unforgiveable. Nigel Backlund’s daughter got a B in French. His punishment was months of nothing—no conversation, no companionship, no shared meals.

From then on out, it was all A’s for me.

I keep sipping the Coke, but I slide the ice cream across the table to Summer. Jasmine has finished hers and asks to see my ring. I take it off and let her play with it.

“So, are you Cal’s new girlfriend or just a corporate hack?”

The Coke almost shoots from my nose. Summer gave me no warning. I cough a few times. “Right. Well, since I’m here on behalf of my corporation and I’ve known Cal all of two days, my answer is corporate hack. Why? Does Cal have a revolving door of women in his life?”

Oof. That came out sharper than I intended, and anyway, of course he does. Cal’s hotter than a supernova. That kiss left me forgetting my own name. His house looks like something out of Architectural Digest. And that image of him rising from the hot tub like some sort of aquatic god, water cascading down the center of his muscular chest, skipping over his cut abs, dripping off the edge of that thick and long…

I suck on that straw until I see stars.

Cal could have anyone he wants and surely does.

“Not that his love life is any of my business,” I add.

Summer giggles. “So that’s the thing. I’ve never seen him with a woman. I mean, let’s face it, none of the MacLaine brothers are exactly monks…” Summer checks Jasmine is occupied with my ring and not interested in our conversation. “Anyway, Cal’s had relationships but nobody serious for the last few years, and for sure no one he’s let stay in his house. He’s all about protecting the MacLaines and serving as guardian to a modernized Yosemite Ranch. He’s got this weird thing, too. He refuses to let outsiders in.”

I think about that for a moment. “He let you in.”

Summer points at her chest. “Me? I’m on the payroll. They’ll never let me get away.” She smiles. “They know they can’t survive without me.”

I don’t doubt it. She may be half their size, but the brothers treat her with respect, at least when they’re not teasing her. It’s almost like she’s one of them.

“Cal didn’t invite me to stay at his place, Summer.”

She frowns. “I’m not following.”

“I showed up at the ranch unannounced, and it was Mr. MacLaine’s idea that I stay with Cal.”

Summer’s eyes grow wide. “Hello? Jamie told you to move in with Cal?”

I wave her off. “No. Nobody’s moving in anywhere. I’m here for a week to put together a deal to purchase Sulfur Springs.”

“Good luck with that,” Summer says, chuckling.

“Do you have any other jewelry?” Jasmine returns my ring. “My mom had jewelry, but my dad says I’m not old enough to wear it yet.”

Summer throws me a look. I understand not to ask Jasmine about her mother.

“You know, your dad’s keeping it for you in a safe, until you’re all grown up, just like your mommy would have wanted,” Summer says. “Right now, your job is to have as much fun being a kid as you possibly can. Right?”

Jasmine nods and lets the subject drop.

“We better head back.” Summer stands and throws away our trash. “The guys are probably still freaking out about Evander.”

“Wait. I thought the surgery went well!”

“Oh, it did. And anyway, they’ve seen worse. Declan’s been shot three times.”

“So why would they—?”

“Oh!” Summer shrugs. “Turns out Evander was supposed to go to San Francisco to negotiate something for the ranch, since he’s the lawyer and contracts guy. But now that he’ll be laid up for a long while, they’re worried they have to postpone it.”

“Huh.”

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