The Elite

'Lucky' Girl

-Willow's POV-

Polly shook her head as Nathaniel stormed out. I watched, amused, as he got in his car and drove off.

"That went well," Polly muttered, "and now I don't have a ride to work."

I waved my hand. "I'll take you." I looked at her. "Seriously, though, why did you pick me? I know it's not because my father thinks I'm a lesbian."

"Well, part of it is," she said. "The other part is because, if anyone can kick my brother's ass, it's you."

I smiled smugly. "Why, thank you." I shook my head. "What's the dinner for?"

"A new museum we're opening," she answered and I whistled, impressed. "I know. Willow, this dinner is really important to the Bankers. You know that Nathaniel will be taking over in five years. He needs to get his shit together or he'll destroy the company."

"Why aren't you taking over? You're older."

Polly cleared her throat. "Well... I may or may not be getting married to a musician," she murmured.

I laughed, throwing my head back. "Woo! Go Polly!" She snorted. "What's his name?"

"Evan," she answered. "Their band is just starting to get a good fan base and they'll be touring soon. I won't be around to baby my brother."

I wrinkled my nose. "So I'm his new babysitter."

"Nope. You're going to be the woman to show him how important it is to get his act together."

"And how am I going to do that?" I asked.

"You'll figure it out," she said, finishing her orange juice. "You've got five years."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for the help. When do you go on tour with Evan?"

"In a year," she said promptly. "We're getting married in six months. It's still on the DL, though, so keep your mouth shut."

"Your secret is safe with me," I promised. "I happen to like you."

Polly put her hand on mine. "Oh honey, I'm flattered but I'd make a terrible girlfriend."

"Shut up," I groaned, tossing a napkin at her. "I can't believe it! I have enough respect for myself to not sleep with Nathaniel Banker and my father automatically assumes I'm a lesbian!"

"When's the last time you had a man?" Polly asked.

I shrugged. "It's been a while. I've been busy."

"How are things going at the ranch?"

I sighed. "They're going great but my dad is fucking stubborn and won't step down. You'd think that, after all these years, he'd realize the amount of damage he's doing to his body!"

"You know, you and Nathan have a lot in common," Polly said conversationally and I glared at her. "I'm serious! He's 28, next to head a business, single - sort of, and my parents are struggling with him. You are 25, next to head a business, single, and your father is bent on you being in a serious relationship before he considers passing everything on to you."

I shook my head. "Look, I know my dad means well. I just wish he wouldn't care so much."

"He lost your mom when you were a kid, Willow," she whispered. "Give him a break."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I mumbled and my phone rang. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, sweets. When are you coming in today?"

"I should be there in about 30 minutes," I said. "I'm just finishing up breakfast with Polly. Why?"

"I've got a saddle here that I'm strugglin' with."

"Sure thing. Just give me a chance to get there."

"Will do. Love you!"

"Love you, too," I said. I hung up and got out my keys. "Well, thanks for breakfast. Let's get you to work."

"Okay," she said cheerfully, leaving a check to pay for the breakfast and we walked out to my maroon SUV that my father and I have named 'The Truck'.

As I drove Polly to work, I thought about this dinner. I bit on my lower lip. The three grand she was paying me would help me greatly but.... To be seen with Nathaniel Banker? I guess it wasn't too awfully bad considering he was the hottest man alive. You didn't have to like him to recognize that.

He had short black hair and deep blue eyes. His skin was relatively pale mostly because the only time he left that bachelor pad of his was to party at night. His features were strong and sharp and it was no wonder girls fell at his feet.

I shuddered at the thought of even holding his hand, though, as I knew I'd have to.

It would be nice to see his parents again, though. Jennifer and Martin Banker were a power couple that met in college. They were both going for business management. They say it was love at first sight. I hadn't seen them in a few years because of the mutual hatred Nathaniel and I had for one another.

After dropping Polly off, I wondered when the hatred had actually started. We grew up together; Polly was my best friend. He was awkward for the first half of his life. Puberty had been very kind for Mr. Banker, though.

Before I could reflect more, I arrived at our ranch. It was over 100 acres large with a barn holding 50 horses. In the mornings we had classes and I could see about ten horses in the largest corral going through their paces.

I drove the truck down to the barn and resisted the urge to honk the horn. My father was bent over a saddle, trying to get it to the other side of the barn without lifting it too high. His face was red and he was sweating profusely.

"God damn you, Dad," I grumbled to myself.

I got out and slammed the door. Aaron Turner was turning 62 and was much too old to be lifting heavy things like these. When his wife died and left him with an 8 year old daughter, he worked endlessly. I would go down with him every chance I could get and we'd spend time breaking horses and he taught me everything about them.

Now, though, I worried he'd hurt himself and I was chomping at the bit to get him to stop.

"What are you doing, Dad?" I asked wearily, walking in.

"Ah, there you are Willow!" he said. "Could you help me with this saddle?"

I rolled my eyes and took it from him. He sat down on the bench and wiped his forehead as I put the saddle on the stand. I turned and put my hands on my hips.

"I told you I'd be right over," I said.

"No, you said 30 minutes. I figured I'd finish up."

"The saddle would not have fallen apart in 30 minutes," I argued, getting two bottles of water from the mini fridge.

"You never know," he said cheerfully and I rolled my eyes.

"You're a mule," I grumbled. He laughed and I cleared my throat. "So, I have some... exciting news."

He looked up. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. The Bankers are opening yet another museum," I said with a sigh. "Nathaniel Banker needs someone to go with him and I'm the lucky girl."

He stared at me. "How does Polly feel about that?"

I frowned. "She's the one that suggested it. Why?"

"I don't know," he said. "You've just been... spending a lot of time with her, that's all."

I groaned. "How many times do I have to tell you, Dad? I'm not a lesbian!"

"Then why haven't you had a boyfriend in five years?"

"I've been busy here at the ranch! Jeez. I thought you'd be at least a little happy."

He smiled. "I am, sweetheart. It's about time the two of you put your differences aside."

I stuck my tongue out at him and he winked.