Catie laughed at that. “Nookie? Well, okay. What about Joe or Doug over there? They’re both good-looking. Joe’s a great guy. Doug’s a little bit of a lech, but hey, if it’s sex you want.”
“Joe’s always greasy.”
“He’s a mechanic.”
“And Doug. I don’t like redheads.”
“His hair’s more auburn,” Amber said, “though I agree with Catie. He’s a lech. Steer clear. Joe, though, is a sweetie. I’m surprised someone hasn’t grabbed him yet. Word around the beauty shop is that he’s one of the town’s two most eligible bachelors now that all the McCrays have been snapped up.”
“Yeah? Who’s the other?” Angie asked.
Amber laughed. “No one who would interest you. Your brother.”
Catie guffawed into her virgin drink. “Harp? He’s a hottie of the town?”
“Heck, yeah,” Amber said. “He’s good-looking, educated, has money. Best of all, he’s a nice guy.”
Angie raised her eyebrows. “Harper’s good-looking?”
“Uh, yeah. He’s a male version of the two of you put together. Aren’t there women crawling all over him?”
“No, not really… Hey, aren’t we here to discuss my sex life?” Angie speared one of the olives in her second martini. “And I draw the line at my own brother, thanks.”
“Okay.” Amber set her empty glass on the counter. “Here’s what you do.” She paused.
“What? Don’t leave me hanging here.”
“Chuck the list.”
“I have to agree, Angie,” Catie said. “That list has gotten you nowhere. Sheesh, no sex in five years? Was Zach McCray that hard to live up to?”
“No, it’s just…” What was it exactly? Why was she so picky?
“I’m tellin’ you,” Amber said. “Try a one-night stand. You’ll be a new woman.”
“Okay.” Angie set her drink down with such gusto an olive flopped onto the counter. “I’ll do it.”
And she already knew exactly who she wanted to “do it” with.
Chapter Four
“Angelina.”
He never called her Angelina. Sometimes Angie. Usually princess. Her father’s voice was stern. She’d heard him use that tone with Harper many times, and even with Catie once or twice. But never with her. Never with Daddy’s little princess.
She drew in a deep breath and regarded her father’s handsome face. Was he looking older? His hair was mostly white now, but his face had always looked young. Did his cheeks seem a little more hollow? She’d seen him inside way too much lately. He must be spending too much time in the office. He needed to be outside more, doing the ranch work he loved.
“Yes, Daddy?”
“I hear from Harper you were nowhere to be found today.”
God. “Yes, well, I wasn’t feeling all that well. And really, I don’t see the need to shadow Harper to learn about ranching. I’ll just read a book or something.”
“Shadowing Harper today was not a request. You may be well over the age of majority, but you’re still living on my ranch. It’s time you starting earning your keep.”
“Daddy, I have my own little house.”
“For which you pay no rent. Harper pays his own way around here, and so did your sister until she got married.”