Nothing But Wild (Malibu University 2)

“Nice to meet you. And thank you for having me over.”

“We’re happy to have you. You’re welcome any time. This is my husband, Jay.” Looking over his shoulder, Evan glares at Jay.

“Nice to meet you, Dallas,” Jay Ramos says in a flat voice that communicates with absolute certainty that it is not at all nice to meet me. Jay Ramos also does not extend his hand.

I steal a glance at Dora and catch her glaring at her father. This is going about as well as I thought it would go.

“How’s your steak, Dallas? Cooked enough?” Evan asks twenty minutes later.

We’re eating outdoors. They have a sweet set up. Big comfortable couches, hammocks in the shade, and a large flatscreen TV. If Jay Ramos didn’t see me as an existential threat to his daughter’s welfare, I would really dig hanging out with them.

“Yes, sir.”

Needless to say, the conversation has been stiff all throughout dinner. I’m pretty sure I have an ally in Evan, but Jay will not be dissuaded. Not with talk of the Dodgers. Not with talk of water polo, which he played competitively in high school. Nothing is earning this guy’s mercy.

“How do you feel about the Biology GRE, are you ready?” Jay asks Dora.

“I’m so r-ready I could take it blindfolded.”

“What’s a GRE?” I ask, my feelers going up.

“It’s similar to an MCAT,” Dora explains. “I need it to apply to Veterinary school.”

Her lips are glossy from the olive oil in the salad dressing, and I find myself trying not to stare as she speaks. If her father notices, there’s a very good chance he’ll stab me in my sleep.

“You still have your heart set on Cornell? I know it’s still early, but I have to mentally prepare myself to have my baby living so far away.”

It finally clicks. “You’re moving to New York?”

Her big eyes on me, she nods once. “Next summer.”

My chest feels like it just caved in and I’m having a hard time breathing. I’ve been living in the moment for so long I never imagined Dora not being part of my future. And now that I’m forced to, I don’t like how it feels.

“What about you, Dallas? What are your plans after you graduate this year?” Jay asks.

My head whips in his direction. “Pardon?”

“Plans, do you have any?”

He’s fully staring me down now, no pretending anymore. In passing, I wonder when he’s going to read me my Miranda rights.

“Do I need a lawyer present?” jumps out of my mouth. Judging by the look on the Chief’s face, I’m dead. They will never find the body.

Evan chuckles and Jay smirks. Then his smile drops. “Do you need one?”

“No, sir.” I definitely lost that round. “Family business. I’m working for my grandfather. I start right after I graduate.”

“Yeah, what kind of business is that?” He sounds about as interested in the answer as he is in paint drying.

“Jay,” I hear Evan mutter. No mystery who the peacemaker in the family is.

“It’s a brewing company. Anders-Burns,” I answer as I cut into my perfectly cooked medium-rare steak.

Jay glances up and studies me for a beat. “The Anders-Burns––the beer?” This is the first time he sounds less than totally bored.

“Among other products. We have an excellent hard cider and seltzer isn’t half bad.” I’ve never met a single person who didn’t know my family’s company. And there’s no hiding it. It makes for interesting introductions when your actual family name is the name of the company.

Jay seems to regain his composure, takes a bite of his food. “So what will you be doing”––he waves his fork––“in this family business?”

“Dad,” Dora chirps.

“You don’t mind. Do you, Dallas?”

I’m guessing anything other than a no is not an option. “Not at all.”

“See, Dora. Your friend doesn’t mind.”

Evan gives me a long-suffering expression and mouths sorry.

“I’m starting at our bottling plant in Temecula. I’ve worked in the executive office as an intern for years, but the old man believes everyone should start at the bottom.”

Jay nods, appeased for whatever reason. “I’d have to agree with your grandfather.”

“Are you done with the interrogation, Chief?” Dora grumbles.

“All done, sweet pea.”

Evan smiles tightly. “Anyone want dessert?”

Chapter Seventeen

Dallas

“S-Sorry about that,” Dora says, glancing over from her side of the couch. Her nose wrinkles and I start to picture my lips on it, smoothing those wrinkles away with kisses. This is becoming a problem.

We headed to the family room right after dinner and started binging the new Jack Ryan season. This place is nice. Not as nice as mine––they don’t have a trust fund that looks like the annual GDP of a small country––but nice and comfortable, nonetheless. A real home. Where no one pretends, and the people who live here really do love each other.

“No need to apologize. Look at it this way, I’m not an Amber Alert yet.”