bristled at the pointed jab, but Dawson just cocked his head. “There are a lot of fine ranchers in town.”
Big Dick slapped him on the back. “And they work for you, am I right?” He guffawed and wandered away.
Dawson’s apologetic gaze landed on me but I waved it off. “That was tame compared to his last conversation with Pop.”
“It wasn’t right.” His brow furrowed but I only wanted this conversation to be done.
“Look, I get it. I know the price I get per head is half what you get. For good reason. But I have plans. It’s going to take time, but I know what I’m doing.”
“That’s what pisses me off.”
“What?”
Dawson shot a glare toward the exit but Big Dick was gone. “They can’t see that you know as much about the business as I do.”
I knew as much about ranching. Thanks to Pop, I didn’t know as much about the business. “Didn’t you go to college for it?”
“Farm and ranch management, yeah.”
“Then I don’t know as much as you. It’s okay, Dawson. I don’t need Big Dick to tell me I can do a good job. His validation is shit.”
Dawson’s mouth quirked. “Part of his issue might be your dad’s unfortunate, but completely predictable twist on his name.”
Skylar’s arrival with plates of food ended the discussion. She set my plate down without a word but aimed her proud smile at Dawson. “Shepp said he’ll dish out the biggest piece of tiramisu for you.”
Dawson glanced at me, then to her. “For us.”
Skylar still didn’t look at me. “Absolutely. Can I get you anything else?”
He was the one to check with me, but I shook my head and cut into the meat. If Skylar wanted to chitchat with him, that was fine. I was hungry.
She left and Dawson watched me a moment before picking up his utensils. “How’s the food?”
“Delicious,” I said around a savory garlic explosion in my mouth. The butterhorn roll was as big as my head and I debated the minimum number of bites considered civilized.
He finally dug in and we didn’t talk until the meal was finished. Skylar checked in with Dawson once and returned with dishes of tiramisu. True to her word, Dawson’s piece was twice the size of mine.
His fork thumped the tabletop and he muttered, “Seriously?”
I swiped an edge of my dessert with my spoon and tasted it. “I’m not really a coffee-flavor person. Don’t worry about it.”
“Dammit, I forgot you didn’t drink it.” He made a cup of coffee every morning. I’d turned that down too, but if I was up early enough, I started the coffee maker for him.
“I like the smell but never got a taste for it.” I tapped the top of the dessert with my fork. “The flavor’s not too strong. It’s fine.” I’d eat the whole thing because that was what I’d been raised to do.
Dawson had one bite left when Skylar came back with the tab. My heart stuttered when she set a slip by me and one by Dawson.
Crap. I was always ready to pay my way. I didn’t take for granted that my date would one, pay, and two, not expect favors if he did. I’d been complacent with Dawson. Filet might be the special, but chicken or pasta was always cheaper.
“Skylar, seriously?” Dawson snapped. Skylar’s hand went to her chest. I think she was more shocked than I was at his tone. “I’m trying to have a nice night out with Bristol, but between you and Big Dick Lang, she’s been nothing but ignored and insulted, and honestly, I expected better when I thought of coming here.”
Skylar blinked. “I-I . . .” She stiffened. “I can’t take responsibility for what Mr. Lang might’ve said or done, but I . . .” Her gaze flitted to me, then over my shoulder. Repressed anger and embarrassment mingled in her blue irises. I bit the inside of my lip. Should I laugh or slide under the table? “I apologize. Your meal’s on the house.” She said the words like it pained her.
I was not getting a pity meal. “No—”
“No, absolutely not,” Dawson said. “I’m paying. Please don’t comp us anything.”
“Dawson.” Skylar’s shoulders sagged and she finally met my gaze fully. Had she figured out I was a real person instead of an apparition she hoped would go away? “I’m sorry, Bristol. It’s just that the last time you were in here, you were—”
“Treated like shit and gave you attitude right back?” I said flatly.
“I didn’t treat you