So Good: A Ribbon Ridge Novel (Love on the Vine Book 1) by Darcy Burke

shouldn’t encourage anything given the work stuff, but for me, I’d rather see you happy in a relationship. And if Brooke’s that person, I’m all for it.”
    What were they “all” seeing? “Do you guys have meetings about this when I’m not around?”
    “Ha-ha. No. Don’t be a jerk.”
    “I’m not the one playing matchmaker like we’re in seventh grade.”
    “Fine. I’ll shut up.” Luke shook his head but smiled. “I just hope you don’t pass something up because you’re too stubborn to realize they aren’t all bad apples.”
    One of the bartenders finally poured his wine—they were busier at the bar than when he’d arrived—and Cam picked up the glasses. “I do realize. I just don’t want an apple, okay?”
    Luke rolled his eyes, and they went their separate ways.
    His brother’s words rankled. Maybe because they held more than a little bit of truth. He didn’t trust women. Hell, he didn’t trust himself. How could he have been such poor judge of character with Jennifer? He had to be a complete moron not to see her for what she was after being together for almost two years.  
    Was he still a moron, though? No, because he’d done a damned good job of keeping himself from making another stupid mistake.
    When he arrived back at his seat, Brooke and Allen seemed like old friends. Allen was just tucking her card into his pocket as he turned to Cam. “Thanks for introducing me to my new wine broker.”
    That shaft of jealousy poked him again, but he summoned a smile. “Great. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.” He handed Brooke her wineglass. “How many sales did you close for me this week?”
    “Eight. And we’re just getting started.”
    Allen grinned. “Damn. I look forward to seeing you Monday, Brooke. Thanks!” He nodded at her and gripped Cam’s bicep before taking off.
    Cam sat down. “You sealed that up pretty quick.”
    “Told you I was ruthless.” She arched her brows at him, and again he caught a flirty vibe.  
    He suddenly wanted to ask her to come home with him. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss her, and see if the attraction he felt—that others seemed to see—was as hot and thrilling as he imagined. But he didn’t think she’d go for that. What would she go for?
    “You said earlier that you refused to date players. Who do you date?”
    She twirled her glass for a moment and watched the pinot cascade around the sides. She looked up at him. “Like you, I don’t really date.”
    “I date, just not seriously.”
    “Right. I don’t date at all. Haven’t since I divorced my ex.” She took a drink of wine, and her gaze seemed to dare him to chastise her for that. He had the sense most people did, and of course, he wouldn’t. Not when he was dealing with his own peanut gallery.
    “How long ago was that?”
    “Almost a year and a half.”
    A paltry amount compared to his eight-year streak. “Eh, that’s not so bad. Give yourself a break.”
    She set her glass on the bar and kept her hand curled around the base of the stem. “Thanks. My friends and family keep telling me I should get back out there, but it’s just…different after you’re divorced.”
    He knew exactly what she meant. Even though he hadn’t been married, he’d been close. If he’d proposed a little sooner, he might’ve married Jennifer.
    No, you wouldn’t have. You didn’t have the money or the stuff to keep her.
    He shook thoughts of his ex away. She so wasn’t worth it. “So you don’t date, and you’re good with that.”
    She moved her glass around slightly, again swirling the wine. “For the most part. Lately, I’ve begun to think that I should maybe at least try.”
    Lately. Because of him? He tried not to feel encouraged, but it was tough. Especially if he’d been reading her body language correctly tonight. “Hey, I’m not a role model, unless you’re interested in casual dating.”
    “I…might be.” She picked up her glass and took another drink, then