“I’d love to.”
Harmony was all about shopping.
Lydia had already told her they were going to stay at a hotel in Austin that night, since they’d be out late and it was too far to drive back to the ranch. So she packed her bag and grabbed her dress for tonight, then piled into the car with Mia and they headed to Austin.
“I needed to get away from the ranch,” Mia said, as she pulled onto the highway. “I love my family, but once everyone gets there, it can be too much family togetherness. Know what I mean?”
Harmony laughed. “I know exactly what you mean. And I only have one brother. I don’t know how you do it with four.”
“It’s easier now that Grant and Tucker are engaged. And with Katrina having siblings, I’ve gotten to know Anya very well. So at least when the boys come to visit, they’re bringing women with them.”
Harmony smiled. “I’m sure that helps. We have a regular Thursday-night dinner at my mother’s house. Drake has dragged football players—sometimes the entire defensive team—into our house ever since high school.”
Mia glanced over at her. “Oh, how fun for you. More testosterone in the house.”
“I’m sure you can relate, but, no thanks.”
Mia nodded. “Exactly how I feel.”
Then again, Harmony was currently seeing a football player—and Mia’s brother. Which she wasn’t about to mention to Mia.
They chatted nonstop on the drive to Austin, about everything from boys to fashion. Since she had no sisters growing up, it was fun for Harmony to be in the car with Mia. They were fairly close in age, only a few years separating them, so it was a joy to have someone to talk to. She found they had similar tastes in everything from fashion to music to television.
When they got to the mall, they wandered in and out of stores. Mia was a shopper just like her. They both liked to take their time and browse. Harmony picked up a hot red lip gloss with Barrett in mind, and could already imagine driving him wild when she wore it tonight.
“I need lingerie,” Mia said, as they walked along the mall.
Harmony’s brows rose. “Do tell.”
Mia grinned. “Oh, I don’t think I’ll tell.”
“Oh, come on. I promise not to tell any of your brothers about the hot guy you’re buying lingerie for.”
“I’m not sure it’s a relationship kind of thing. More like a hookup kind of thing. You know how college is.” She finished with a shrug.
“Those can be fun. All the excitement with none of the messy commitment and hurt feelings.”
“Exactly.”
Harmony hooked her arm in Mia’s. “Then let’s go lingerie shopping for your mystery man.”
Mia laughed. “Yes. Let’s.”
Once they were done shopping, they stopped at a place called the Blue Dahlia Bistro.
“You’re going to love it here,” Mia said. “The food is incredible.”
They settled in and Harmony sipped the most amazing pomegranate tea while she perused the menu.
“So tell me about school,” Harmony said. “You must really love being there.”
“It’s a great university. I’ll finish up my MBA within the next year. I’m looking at a few universities for my PhD, so it looks like I’ll probably be moving out of state for that.”
“Farther away from home, huh? Are you ready for that?”
“Actually, yes.” Mia took a sip from her glass of tea, then set it down on the table. “I’m all about the adventure. And chances are I’ll likely end up living somewhere near one of my brothers, since they’re spread out around the country. Family tends to be close by, no matter what.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Any idea where you’d like to get your PhD?”
“I’m looking very hard at Stanford right now and keeping my fingers crossed that I can work something out there. Plus I’d love to live in California. And, Flynn is there.”
She grinned. “Flynn is a great guy.”
“You’ve met him before?”
Oops. “Yes. All of your brothers have visited Barrett in Tampa before, and since Barrett and my brother are best friends, they’ve all ended up at my mother’s house for dinner.”
“Oh, of course.”
She was so glad to have had that excuse. And at least it was the truth.
“Frankly, I’m anxious to get out on my own,” Mia said. “College has been great, but I’m ready to branch out. Even if I don’t start the PhD program right away, I’m ready to move on and start working.”
“I’m excited for you. There’s nothing like using what you know and starting a career.”
“Exactly. It was important to me to at least get my MBA, but now I’m ready to do something with all this education.”
“I think you’ll do great things.”
“Thanks.”
Lunch was amazing. Harmony had the chicken salad tartine with nuts and cranberries, which was delicious. She was so full—they both were—that they decided to decline dessert.
They had a few hours to kill before the event tonight, so they headed to the hotel. Not only did they have individual rooms, but Lydia had booked a massive suite at the Four Seasons. It had two bedrooms and three bathrooms, perfect for all the women to get ready together, which Lydia said would be a lot more fun—and easier, in case someone needed help with a zipper or their hair. And there was plenty of room for all of them to move around, plus a balcony with a breathtaking view of the lake.