While I’m still in the dreamy haze of the high, Dale crawls over me and thrusts into me.

He fucks me hard and fast, and when he releases, I close my eyes and feel every spurt of his cock inside me, so sensitive is my pussy.

When he rolls over, I close my eyes.

I close my eyes and allow myself not to think.

Darla brings food over for our dinner, promising to take care of meals while we take care of the funeral arrangements for Dennis. Dale, of course, has offered to pay for everything, which my mother balks at, but then she relents after I tell her it’s one less thing for her to worry about right now.

Three days pass in a haze, and then my mother and I drive back to LA in Dennis’s RV. An urn containing Dennis’s remains sits in the back. My mother hasn’t planned any memorial service yet, but she insisted on going back to LA. That’s where her friends are, where Dennis’s friends are, and I understand.

Dale stays in Colorado to keep an eye on the old-vine Syrah, which is fermenting. Though I wish he were with me, I understand, and so does Mom. Once a memorial is planned, he’ll fly out.

“I don’t know what to do next,” Mom says, once we’re at her small apartment in LA.

“Take a breath,” I tell her. “Then you and I will set up a memorial.”

“Dennis’s mother,” she says. “She wants to make the arrangements.”

“Let her, if you want to.”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“Mom, it’s okay. You were married for less than three days. Let his mom take care of it. Whatever she wants. We’ll pay for it.”

“I shouldn’t let you.”

“You already told Dale yes. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you or she wants. Money doesn’t matter.”

She shakes her head. “Those aren’t words I know.”

“For this, they are. Let it be. For once, you don’t have to consider money.”

“I’ve spent my entire life watching every nickel and dime. This seems…”

“Seems what? Dennis was a pastry chef. Between you and him, you weren’t going to have to…”

Shit. Why did I say that?

Mom still hasn’t cried. I’m getting worried about her.

“Yes, he had plenty of money,” she says, “and I’ve managed to put a few dollars away over the years.”

I nod. I’m not sure what to say.

“We had so little time,” she says wistfully.

“I know. It’s not fair.”

“No. But at least you can be happy, Ashley. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Mom, you deserve to be happy too.”

“I used to think so. Especially after I met Dennis. Seems the universe has other plans, though.”

“You can’t think that way. You’re a young woman. You can still—”

“No,” she says flatly. “I’m done. I had a shitty childhood, and then of course the way you came into the world…” She widens her eyes. “But I never blamed you for that, Ashley. Never. Not once.”

“I know you didn’t, Mom.”

God, my mother deserves so much more than she’s gotten so far out of this life.

“You can move to Colorado,” I say off the cuff. “Snow Creek has an adorable little salon. Or you could start your own.”

“This is my home,” she says. “I have an established clientele. I don’t want to start over, Ashley.”

“You can live with us until you get set up. You don’t have to worry about money, Mom. Not ever. Not anymore.”

“I’m not living off my rich daughter.”

“You wouldn’t be. We’d just be helping out until—”

“No,” she says adamantly. “Absolutely not. This is my home.”

“All right.” I relent. “What can I do for you?”

“Call a friend,” she says. “You’ve been gone almost a month. Go have some fun.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Sweetie, I want to be alone. It’s okay. I need to deal with this in my own way in my own home. Please.”

I nod. I get it. It’ll be nice to see some friends anyway. I scoff slightly. I’ve really fucked up the whole internship thing. After my commitment, too. I know they never really needed me, and Dale said I could take as much time as I need in LA with my mom. I’m supposed to call him as soon as the arrangements are made. He’ll fly out to attend the service.

I told him he didn’t have to, but he insisted.

My wonderful Dale.

I quickly text my friend Mariah, and she responds.

You’re back? Want to hit the beach?

Beach sounds heavenly.

The beach in early October. I truly have missed LA. It’s a balmy eighty in the forecast. No rubbing my arms during what Dale calls an “Indian summer.”

I sigh. Colorado is my home now. Not LA.

Still, I can enjoy some time on the sand.

I’ll see who else can meet us there. How about in two hours?

I text a thumbs-up to my friend, and then I unpack my bikini.

Our favorite beach is privately run, with a bar and everything. Mariah’s uncle is a member of the club, and he lets her and her friends use his membership.

Funny. I used to think Mariah’s uncle was rich. He’s a B-movie producer, worth a couple million.

As a Steel, I’m worth a couple billion. Well, not me personally, but the company.

Unreal.

“Ash, what the hell is that?” Mariah’s eyes turn into circles.

My engagement ring and wedding band.

Funny that I haven’t told any of my friends in LA that Dale and I tied the knot.

“Oh. I’m married.” My voice sounds more nonchalant than I mean it to.

“To who, the Prince of Wales?” She grabs my hand and stares down at the rock.

“To Dale Steel.”

“Of the Steels?”

I nod, my cheeks warming even in the LA heat.

“My God, when did this happen? And why didn’t you tell us?”

“Life has been…” I shake my head. “Honestly, it all happened so fast. I’ve only known him a few weeks. We did it on the spur of the moment in Vegas with my mom and her… And then… Oh, God…”