The Flirtation Game: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Allie Burton

  “You need to let him go.” Her brother threw his body back into the chair, hitting the back of his head. The chair rocked with the force, and the ratty sweatshirt he wore tugged up at the waist. “Don’t string each other along. Breaking up and getting back together.” Dax’s bitterness spat out. He grabbed the beer and downed the rest of the liquid. “A rollercoaster relationship is painful to everyone involved.”

  Was he talking about her relationship with Michael, or someone else entirely? Dax was normally a happy drunk. What had spurred on this negativity?

  “If Michael wants out of Castle Ridge and out of your relationship, let him out.” Dax’s voice grew stronger with conviction. “No use dragging yourself down with worry and anxiety until he leaves town. And then when he does leave, bam.” He slammed the empty bottle onto the table. “The torture will be ten times worse.” His tone went raw, as if he spoke from experience. “I don’t want you to feel this kind of pain.”

  Sympathy softened her. He definitely wasn’t talking about her and Michael anymore. She reached across the table and took his hand off the bottle and held it in hers. “Dax, are you in pain?”

  “Me?” He pulled his hand away and wiped at his ruddy complexion. Leaning away again, he stuck his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. “Pfft. I don’t do relationships. No one can tie this dude down.”

  His machismo didn’t ring true.

  “Are you sure you don’t need to talk? Is this about Reed and Quinn?”

  Dax had originally tried to date Quinn, asking their older brother for help. Reed had gotten the girl, and now they were married and on their honeymoon.

  “No.” Dax’s expression cleared. “I’m happy they’re together. They’re good for each other.”

  Reed’s romance with Quinn was a swoon-worthy tale and caused Isabel to go mushy. She wanted a love story similar to theirs. And she wanted the same thing for Dax.

  “Someday you’ll find love.” She patted him on the arm.

  “Love is the last thing I want to find.” His mouth curled into an angry snarl. “Look what happens to people when it doesn’t work out.” He swung his hand pointing at her.

  His words slapped, burning her cheeks and traveling down her neck to sting her heart. She knew he didn’t mean to lash out and hurt her. Obviously, something bothered him. Now, it bothered her. He was right. Love could suck and it could hurt and it could betray.

  Standing, he lunged around the table and grabbed her shoulders. He’d had more to drink than she realized and more pain than she’d known.

  He shook her. “End it, Izzy. End it now. End it before it ends you.”

  * * *

  After dinner with his sister and her family where he told them about the fire and today’s emergency repair to the restaurant kitchen, Michael stopped at the local coffee shop before heading to the hardware store to meet Luke. The woman behind the counter had owned the small shop since he’d been a kid, and remembered him. They chatted while she’d brewed his coffee. A young family had come in, and he’d recognized the dad from high school. He’d met the man’s family and they’d invited him to a wine festival next month.

  Life in a small town. Everyone knew everyone.

  So unlike Los Angeles, where you rarely ran into people you knew at the coffee shop or the grocery store or the gym. You were anonymous. And lonely.

  In high school, he’d thought everyone knowing everyone else’s business had been a bad thing. Especially when Danielle had gotten pregnant and engaged to Parker. And when his dad had given him a hard time about wanting to be a chef. Michael had always wondered how many cronies his dad had complained to about his only son’s career choice. A flush crept up Michael’s skin as he imagined those conversations.

  What his dead father believed didn’t mean anything anymore. He had to get his dad out of his head.

  He arrived at the hardware store to find Luke talking to Ryder Croft, a past competitor and ski coach from another town. How had he and Luke become friends after having such an intense rivalry in high school?

  Similar to Michael and Isabel. They’d never been rivals, but they’d been antagonistic toward each other. And now they were…he wasn’t sure exactly. His stomach flipped, emotions tossing and turning in his midsection. He loved her and wanted to protect her. He respected her as a chef. He wanted her to be happy, and yet he’d treated her poorly.

  “This kid is special, like you were.” Ryder’s compliment to Luke was surprising. “He needs an agent who will take care of him, not only handle the business side.”

  Isabel was special. In more ways than cooking. Michael believed in her chef abilities. He not only complimented her, he trusted her completely in the kitchen.

  “Vivienne Tucker is one of the best. She handles more than sports stars, and I believe—” Luke looked at Michael to confirm. “—she’s still in town.”

  “She’s in Castle Ridge, working on a couple of things for me.” Michael stuck out his hand to shake. The man’s hair was tied back in a long ponytail. His tanned face appeared almost as young as when they were kids. “She represents me now.”

  After a quick reintroduction, Ryder’s face beamed with recognition. “You were a great skier too, Michael. And so was your sister.”

  “And now I’m a chef.” He rocked back on his feet, waiting for a derogatory comment or a snide expression. This major jock would look down on his career.

  “I’ve caught your show on TV a couple of times.” The jock’s tone stayed smooth. “Cool.”

  He let out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. He had to admit no one he’d come across in town bad-mouthed him for being a chef. The prejudice he’d expected had been in his imagination.

  After Luke and Ryder exchanged information, the other coach left.

  “I’ve already purchased what I need.” Luke waved at the flatbed cart loaded with lumber. “You get to help me load and unload my truck.”

  Michael hauled wood and placed it in the back of the truck. He’d promised to help his future brother-in-law get the equipment and supplies needed to begin the remodel for the bed-and-breakfast they were planning to open. Hauling stuff wasn’t the way he’d prefer to spend the rest of his Sunday. He also didn’t want to go back to his empty hotel room.

  Luke whistled while he loaded tools, two-by-fours, PVC pipe, and other supplies into the truck. The gleam of satisfaction never left his face, even while he struggled with heavy equipment. He was happy.

  Danielle and Bri were happy.

  They’d become a real family, like they were always meant to be.

  Michael’s image of their happy family morphed into another family. Him and Isabel making a life here together. His fingers itched, the image so real he believed he could reach out and grab it.

  Could he?

  “Running a bed-and-breakfast was always Dani’s dream.” Luke loaded a toolbox on the back of the truck.

  Michael wanted his sister to get everything she wanted, but if Luke had to give up his dreams would he end up resenting her? A quiver ran through Michael. How would he react in a similar situation? “What about your dreams, Luke?”

  Flashing a brilliant smile, he loaded another two-by-four. “Dani is my dream.”

  “Great sentiment, but what about your career?”

  “My skiing career is over.” He rubbed his injured knee. “It’s time for me to move on to something else.”

  “To a bed-and-breakfast?”

  “I’m still doing ski competition announcing, sponsorship deals, and coaching the Castle Ridge Ski Team.” He paused in loading, and his expression lit with pride. “Bri could be the next famous skier from this town.”

  “Don’t push her too hard if it’s not what she wants.” Michael had had enough from his father. Pushing him in the opposite direction of his own dreams.

  “I’d never push her. I’ve learned patience and acceptance in my old age.”

  Luke had grown too introspective, and might want Michael to do the same.
He wasn’t ready to divulge secrets. He bumped shoulders. “Who are you calling old?”

  “Well, you are older than me.”

  They started loading the truck again. Michael couldn’t settle his thoughts. Luke had pursued his dream and been successful, and now he was moving on to something new. Could Michael do the same? Give up his television career, give up being head chef so Isabel could have the position, and yet stay in Castle Ridge to pursue something new?

  A spiral of excitement wound up his spine. His idea for a new consulting business had merit. He had experience and celebrity. Could he pull it off? Vivienne was excited about the prospect of helping him launch something new.

  He stopped loading to watch the reaction. “And you’re going to be satisfied with announcing ski races instead of competing?”

  “Are you trying to break Dani and me up?” Luke chortled.

  “No, of course not. You guys are great together.” Michael thought about how well Isabel and he worked together and played together. How they could make it work. “And Bri adores you as her father.”

  “Now she does.” His friend sounded exasperated. He tossed a pile of bricks into the truck. “Remember when she ran off onto the mountain during a blizzard?”

  He remembered. Remembered how he’d felt so far away and helpless. He couldn’t assist searching for his niece, or comfort his sister. Spending the last two Sundays with Danielle, Bri, and Luke, being able to advise and comfort them, and enjoying living in a small town made him want to stay and be part of their larger family.

  And then there was Isabel.

  Michael’s thoughts jumbled and his emotions tangled, resembling too many kitchen appliance cords. He liked everything about her. “How did you and Danielle get past the hurt you two caused each other?”

  His friend assessed. “Don’t run away. And communicate.”

  Michael wanted to communicate with Isabel. He wanted to share his plan for a new career path, but what if the plan wasn’t successful? He wanted to share his feelings, but what if he was the one who ended up with a broken heart?

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Well?” Michael had stayed silent in the lodge’s office for too long. With anxiety prickling in his stomach, he’d paced back and forth while the lodge owner read the business plan. His business plan. A plan for the future.

  Thoughts of goals and mission statements, objectives, target audiences, and revenue streams twirled in his head. The plan would keep him based in Castle Ridge, where he could plan another future. A future together with Isabel.

  She loved the town, and now he loved the town, too, and wanted to stay. Stay with Isabel. The one problem was Castle Ridge Lodge hosted the only elegant restaurant worth cooking in. And because he loved Isabel and she deserved the head chef position, he was the one who needed to find a new job. Or career.

  Nerves tingled along his neck. Nerves of fear and excitement. Of hope and possibilities. He’d told only Vivienne about his idea for a new business. She’d been receptive to him creating a consulting firm to help restaurants open. It was what he thought he’d be doing at The Heights. Now, he needed to finalize the plan to present to investors and potential clients. Once he was on solid footing, he’d share his plan with Isabel.

  He couldn’t wait to tell her the news. To set things in motion. To set him and Isabel in motion.

  He couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “What do you think?”

  Parker leaned back in the creaky office chair with a thoughtful expression. “I don’t know much about selling celebrity and how your experience translates to the consulting side.”

  Vivienne had left town, and Michael wanted another opinion on his plan before sending it off into the world. Parker had real-life business experience. They’d been confidants in school and Michael wanted that relationship back.

  He was taking a big risk with his plan. It might not work. He might blow his celebrity status and his future. He might not win Isabel. But he’d risk everything for a chance with her. If the plan was soluble, he’d stay in town and woo Isabel the way she deserved. He’d grovel and he’d beg.

  He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and was willing to change his career goals. His worry doubled and he wanted to double-over. This plan had to work. It was one option that would give him and Isabel everything they wanted and be able to stay together.

  “You’re a businessman, Parker. And a numbers guy. Do you think the plan doable? Reasonable?”

  “Frankly, I don’t understand why you’re sharing your top secret plan with me.” He waved his hand over the paperwork as if he was a magician and wanted the plan and Michael to disappear.

  Nerves twisted. He hated that things were strained between them. “Because I respect your opinion. Because we used to be close friends. Because I want to be friends again.”

  “By bringing a show called Kitchen Catastrophe to my hotel.”

  “You know I was tricked.” His temper rushed to the forefront. He controlled himself and pushed it back. This was about making amends to Parker. “I agreed to do the show because by signing the deal The Heights was guaranteed the contract. The network was considering other restaurants. I thought I was helping you out.”

  “And I agreed to the deal because I thought I was helping my hotel out. We were both suckers and we were both wrong.” His expression soured. He waved at the papers again. “And now, you’ve come to me for a favor.”

  Michael had come for advice.

  A yearning formed in his gut. He wanted Parker as a friend, and the only way to reclaim their friendship was to discuss the past. “I’m sorry I hurt you when we were kids. You were brave enough to confide in me and I rejected everything about you.” His chest clutched, thinking about his reasons for the rejection. Michael wouldn’t place the blame on his father, though. He was his own man. “I’d already been accused of being effeminate because I wanted to cook for a living. When you told me you were gay I didn’t want to be associated with you.”

  Parker smirked, but his eyes revealed torment. “Guilt by association?”

  “Pretty much.” Michael knew he’d been wrong. He wanted to make it right now. “Again, I’m sorry. I want to be friends again. Real friends who hang out and share stories and laugh.” He stuck out his hand.

  His hand hung in the air. His chest squeezed painfully tight. Parker was rejecting him this time.

  His friend’s gaze raked from his position in the chair. His stony face didn’t give away a thought. Parker stood and held his own hand out. They grasped each other’s hands in a handshake signaling the beginning of a new-old friendship.

  Michael let out a big sigh.

  “Your numbers seem realistic.” His real friend picked up the spreadsheet. “Your forecast is conservative.”

  “That’s good, right?” His voice rose and he tried to calm down. “I’m not reaching for the perfect soufflé.”

  His friend tossed the spreadsheet down. “Why are you doing this? You could go back to Hollywood in a second and get a television gig.”

  His heart wasn’t in Hollywood or television anymore. His heart was here. “I want to stay in Castle Ridge.”

  He’d come to love the town and a specific woman in it. He envisioned creating the most magnificent wedding cake together, with images of them at the top.

  “Great news!” Parker slapped the binder closed, slamming Michael’s hopes and dreams. “You can stay on at The Heights.”

  “No.” Per their bet the very first day, Michael was going to fold, but he didn’t plan to leave town. “I want you to give Isabel the head chef position.”

  “Give me the position?” The fury in Isabel’s tone cut across the room, wielding the power of a blizzard.

  His dream wedding cake came tumbling down. She’d overheard the wrong thing.

  She stood in the doorway, her hands clutching the frame. Her furious face was more beautiful with the light of battle in her eyes, and the charge of color to her cheeks. Her luscious lips pursed with d
istaste and disgust.

  Yet, he wanted those lips on his. Wanted her in his life and by his side. With her fun flirting and her fury.

  She stomped into the office, followed by Jorge with a small camera.

  Michael sucked in a sharp breath. “Jorge. What’re you doing with a camera?”

  Stopping her forward attack, Isabel grimaced and furrowed her brows as though trying to come up with a plan. She straightened her shoulders and pivoted toward Jorge. “Are you filming for your wedding video?”

  The inane question took Michael by surprise. She wasn’t supposed to know about the reality show and was continuing with the charade. All the love he felt for her heated. Even though she was furious with him, she was sticking by his side.

  “Get real. I know she knows.” Jorge swung the camera at her face. “And I want to know what she really thinks about the sneaky trick played on her and the fact that now you’re making backhand deals about her career.”

  Her cheeks blew up to a crimson red. Her lips flattened as if holding in her anger. Steam seemed to pour from her ears. Her mouth opened. “I. Don’t. Want. Handouts.”

  She’d never listen to him now. Never believe she deserved this. That he wanted to give her this. That he wanted to give her everything.

  He grabbed both of her arms, knowing convincing her would be difficult. “It’s not a handout or a backhand deal.”

  She shook off his hold and faced Parker across the desk. “I deserved this job weeks ago, and I deserve it now.”

  Standing, his friend’s pale face expressed his shock and concern. “Isabel—”

  “Let me explain this to you later.” Michael didn’t want his plans spoiled. Not in front of Jorge and not in front of the camera.

  She picked up his discarded chef’s hat and shoved it on his head. “You think you’re some hotshot-celebrity chef?” She tugged the hat lower and tighter, almost to his ears. “You think you’re the only one who can bring in more business and new clientele?” She flattened her palm and smacked the top of the puffy chef’s hat. “You think your recipes and kitchen organization are the best?”