“Good.”
“Landon, it doesn’t have to be like this. If you seriously think you have a legitimate shot with Mae, take it. If she genuinely likes you, I’ll step out of the ring. But it’s going to be her decision.” He speaks calmly and deliberately, maintaining eye contact with me.
I don’t know if he’s insulting me or what. Not to be the first to back down, I stare at him and cross my arms.
“I’ll be gone all week. Here’s your chance to win her over before the wedding. I wish you luck.”
He walks toward me and I brace myself in case he decides to throw a sneaky punch. To my surprise, he cups my shoulder and gives me a sad smile.
“We’re always going to be brothers. Can’t change blood.”
I don’t say anything back, just nod and head into my room, giving both of us some space.
After he leaves, I text Mae and ask her to meet me for a drink this week.
Chapter 14
Aiden
All week I’ve been stewing and sitting with the mess I’ve made of things between me and Mae, and me and Landon.
Never did I imagine I’d end up in a strange love triangle involving my brother, if that is what’s going on here. He’s never been my rival, even if he sees me as his. This was supposed to be a straight line from point A to point B with me being the arrow showing the right direction. I should’ve known better. Cyrano doesn’t get the girl at the end.
When I offered to help him, I didn’t know the full story. I agreed because he asked. Developing feelings for Mae is on me and I own that. I had no reason to think I’d fall for her. Zero expectations she could ever possibly feel the same way about me. Nor did I realize what a hot mess Landon was when it came to women, respecting them, and knowing how to treat them right. Not only is he a disaster, he’s cocky enough to not want to change. His ego’s big enough to tell him he’s always right, and if we don’t like it, we can go fuck off. I believe that last part is an exact quote from one of our recent text conversations.
While I’ve been out here, I guess he’s been trying to get Mae to go out with him and she’s blown him off. I don’t even feel slightly bad he’s crashing and burning. Nor am I surprised.
To satisfy my curiosity, I asked for details. It’s the train wreck I imagined. Proving he’s learned nothing from how I interacted with her or the thoughtful gift, he’s resorted to the emoji game. Unsuccessfully. At least he hasn’t sent her a dick pic. Unable to stop myself, I tell him to cool the sex emojis and just tell her how much he’s looking forward to being her wedding date next weekend. There’s a slim chance he doesn’t ruin this simple instruction.
Definitely a good thing I moved out and put some distance between us. Mom was thrilled when I called her last Sunday morning to ask if her offer of the guest room was still open. No questions asked and she put fresh linens on the bed for me. Landon avoided their weekly dinner together, claiming exhaustion from the match. I knew he was lying and he’d know I knew, but I let him do what he needed to do. Having dinner with her and Dad alone meant I could give them the full story on the sale of my share of the company and what that meant for me.
Mom cried, relieved I hadn’t become a scofflaw or vagrant.
Dad’s eyes watered with pride and he kept patting my shoulder, telling me good job.
She went full waterworks when I shared I’d signed a six-month lease with a clause forbidding sublets. With a promise to be back, I left them and Snowmass behind for the last corporate meetings of my life. Hopefully.
Now I’m sitting at the Denver airport mid-day on Monday, a week after I left, waiting for my connecting flight into Aspen, carrying a garment bag containing two designer suits and my small carry-on.
To occupy myself before boarding, I scroll through the Aspen Coalition social media, seeing bits of Mae’s personality in every post and picture. In the ones about the fundraiser, I spot myself in the background of two. Before my haircut and beard shearing, I really did resemble a mountain hermit. I hadn’t realized how much I’d changed until I saw photographic evidence.
I’m still not ready to forgive Landon for whatever seeds he planted in Mae’s head about me or misconceptions he perpetuated. Nor am I blaming her for any crazy theories she formed based on Landon’s misinformation campaign and my own reticence to talk about details of my life.
The butterfly doesn’t give a play-by-play while transforming inside of the cocoon.
Mae is worth fighting for. The kindling of the connection I felt for her when I first saw her at the museum has sparked a wildfire inside of me. I can’t walk away. Not now. Maybe not ever.
“This seat taken?” a woman asks, standing next to me.
“No.” Without glancing at her face, I move the garment bag and then hang it on the handle of my suitcase. “All yours.”
“Aiden? I thought that was you.”
Finally, looking up I recognize Sage. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for a plane. What else?” She laughs and I join her.
“Heading home?” I ask, because I’m full of stupid questions today.
She sits down and bends her knee. “I am. Had a quick trip to Chicago to see my family. I have a niece who turned one while we were in South Africa. I owed her a giant, stuffed unicorn and as much buttercream as she could handle before barfing.”
“Did you accomplish your goals?” I shift to face her.
“Most definitely.” She peers around me. “Checking out the Coalition’s social media?”
I forgot my phone was on their Instagram account. “I made a donation at the fundraiser, but I don’t really know much about their work. Doing some research.”
“You probably already know this, but Mae runs their social content.” Her look tells me we both know I do. She doesn’t harp on catching me; instead, she asks, “What’s in the fancy garment bag?”
“Suits.”
She glances at the bag again before meeting my eyes. “You don’t seem the type.”
“Definitely not. Never really was, but in my former life I needed them for important meetings with very important people.” I grimace. “Always hated them.”
“Understandable. I’m not the office and suit type myself. That’s what’s so wonderful about living where we do. Less pressure to conform.” She tucks a strand of her pale blond hair behind her ear. In her colorful long skirt and tank, she’s the exact opposite of a dull, corporate drone.
“You get it.”
“You’ll find a lot of us are kindred spirits.”
“Good to know. A lot has changed since I’ve been away. I get the feeling I need a new group of friends.” Without saying too much, I hope she hears the meaning behind my declaration.
Boarding is called for our flight and we join the line.
“Speaking of, Mae’s picking me up at the airport. If you need a ride back to your place, I’m sure she’d be happy to drop you off.”
“Thanks, but I’m not really on your way.” I want to slap my own hand over my mouth for refusing. It’s been more than a week since I’ve seen or spoken to Mae and now I’m passing up an opportunity.
“No problem. Let me just send a text and it’ll all work out.” She taps on her screen for a moment and then smiles at me. “All set.”
The short flight is uneventful. Once we land, Sage waits for me on the tarmac.
“Did Mae agree?” I ask as we walk into the tiny main terminal.
“Of course, she did.” Sage’s smile is sly.
We quickly pass through baggage and out to the arrivals pick-up area where we are promptly greeted by both Lee and Mae. She looks amazing in a pink, flowy dress, her dark hair swept off of her face in a bun at the crown of her head. I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face when I see her.
“Surprise!” Lee says, sweeping Sage into his arms and giving her a passionate welcome home kiss.
Mae gives me a small wave and I decide to go in for a cheek kiss. Stepping forward at the same time she does, we get our feet tangle
d and I drop my garment bag as we laugh, trying to figure out if we’re hugging or not. With my hand on her shoulder to still her, I duck my head to kiss her cheek at the same moment she turns to give me the other one. Our lips accidentally brush together. I both feel and hear her intake of breath, but neither of us pulls away. Encouraged, I press my lips to hers in a real kiss, our first.
Her fingers grip and flex on my bicep and she returns the pressure for a second before her lips curve into a smile. I give her another soft peck, wondering if she feels the same hum of energy spreading through her body like I do. Unplanned and awkward, it’s still my favorite first kiss.
Grinning up at me, she whispers, “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“Coming home.” I run my hand down hers until our fingertips touch.
Sage giggles, and I’m not sure if it’s at me or she’s giddy to be with her boyfriend. “I ran into Aiden in Denver and told him you could give him a ride home. That was before I knew Lee was going to surprise me.”
“Honey, you texted me from Denver and—”
Sage cuts him off with another kiss. “And I’m so excited you decided to come meet me. I’ve missed you. And the dogs. I’m dying to go home. Mae, do you mind still giving Aiden a lift?”
Before either of us can confirm or protest, she’s leading Lee by the hand toward the parking area. “Mae, call me later this week and we can discuss what we’re wearing to the wedding. Bye, Aiden!”
An awkward silence settles around us after her departure.
“We were set up, weren’t we?” I finally ask.
“Totally. She messaged me this morning from Chicago and that’s the last I heard from her. I had no idea you were flying in today, too.”
“Interesting. While we were waiting in Denver, she texted someone and I assumed it was you.”
“Nope.” She laughs, and it’s becoming one of my favorite sounds.
“You don’t have to take me home. I can catch a cab or Lyft. No big deal.” I want to see her, but not because she feels obligated.
“I don’t mind driving you down valley. I could use a trip to the big Whole Foods.” She spins her keys around her finger.
We shared our first kiss a few minutes ago and she’s thinking about grocery shopping? I know it was unplanned and a little less than smooth, but come on. I can do better.
I step into her space and catch her keys in her hand. “Can you hold that thought for a second?”
She nods, her brows scrunched together in confusion.
“Good.”
I kiss her again, this time on purpose. And she kisses me back, pressing into my body, encouraging me. Wrapping my arms around her, I hold her close as I continue to kiss and explore her mouth. Her tongue sweeps against mine, hesitant at first before I moan at the contact.
My ability to be rational and tell myself this is a bad idea fades with each passing second. What began as an accident has turned into a curbside make out.
“Wow,” she whispers. “That was …”
“Unexpected?” I suggest, my voice lower and more gravely than normal.
“Amazing is what I was going to say, but unexpected works, too.” She touches a fingertip to her full bottom lip.
Unable to resist, I kiss her again.
A car honks twice as it passes us. Peeking through one eye, I see Lee and Sage wave as they drive out of the lot. It’s enough to remind me we’re not alone and have zero privacy standing outside of the terminal.
Mae laughs against my mouth. “I have wonderful friends.”
I press a soft kiss to the corner of her lips, but don’t loosen my hold on her waist. “The best.”
“Want to get out of here? I can still drive you down valley.” She tips her head back to meet my eyes, so I kiss the tip of her nose.
“You could, but I don’t live in Basalt anymore.” Releasing her, I pick up my garment bag, which is laying on the ground.
“Did Landon kick you out?” she asks, frowning as she steps off of the curb.
“Not exactly. I think we came to the same conclusion almost simultaneously. I’m back in Snowmass. At least temporarily.” I hesitate to tell her more. Unlike our spontaneous kiss, I want to make sure I get this next part right. And that means taking things slow, at least until this stupid wedding is behind us.
“At your parents’ house? How’s Gwendolyn?”
“My mother is fine. Thankfully, my stay in the Roberts’ guest suite was only for a few days. I have something up at the Viceroy.” I’m not lying, just omitting the full details of the truth, which seems to be my deal lately, at least when it comes to Mae.
“Wait, when did you leave Landon’s place? He’s been texting me all week, but never mentioned you were gone.” She stops next to an old, yellow bug that predates both of us. “Keys, please.”
I toss the set to her and step beside the passenger door. “I left a week ago to attend meetings in Palo Alto and moved my things in the Sunday before.”
“After Rugby Fest?” She ducks down to sit and then unlocks my door.
The heavy door creaks when I open it. “How old is this thing?”
“Ancient, just the way I like it. Don’t comment about the rust.” Laughing, she turns the key and the engine sputters to life. “To the Viceroy, then?”
I nod. “If you don’t mind. Do you have plans? I could buy you dinner as a thank you for the ride. Pizza okay?”
Taking her eyes off the road, she frowns. “I have to go into work. I’m usually off on Mondays, but with Topher and Twyla festivities this weekend, I’ve switched up my schedule and am working every night until Friday. In fact, this whole week is being sucked up by wedding stuff, and I’m not even getting married or in the wedding party. It’s insane and I can’t wait for the whole thing to be over. Rain check?”
“Definite rain check. What are you doing Sunday morning?” I ask as she drives us up the winding road toward Snowmass.
“You’d think having to attend the rehearsal dinner on Friday and the wedding on Saturday would be enough time to properly celebrate their love, but you’d be wrong. There’s a brunch and official sendoff Sunday morning at the Mountain Club. Rumor has it the happy couple will be departing in a hot air balloon like they’re leaving Oz.”
I chuckle at how riled up she is about this wedding.
Because she has to get back to Aspen for her shift, she drops me off with a quick goodbye. I give her a peck on the cheek, not wanting to start anything more before we have a chance to talk.
Only as I watch her little yellow car disappear down the mountain do I realize I still don’t have her phone number. Not going to ask Landon for it and trying to get it from my mother is an even worse option.
Scoring an invitation to the rehearsal dinner will be easier and require selling less of my soul.
Chapter 15
Mae
Aiden Roberts is a master kisser. He’s not just good, he’s a freaking genius with his lips. Days later and I’m still thinking about the kiss out of nowhere at the airport. We’d had a near miss almost kiss at Rugby Fest and I swear to the universe I felt that one down to my toes. A single touch from him changed my world and my definition of good kissing.
This one was different. Accident or not, it turned deliberate, like he had something to prove and could only do it with his tongue in my mouth.
There’s an expression about comparison being the thief of joy and it’s never more true than when applied to the Roberts brothers and their kissing abilities. Let’s just say that if I knew in high school what I know now, I would never have wasted so many hours letting Landon play hockey with my tonsils using his tongue as the stick. Sadly, from what I experienced at Rugby Fest, he hasn’t improved. If ten years of kissing every woman who will let him can’t up his skill level, what can?
No one has enough time or patience to teach him. Certainly not me.
For the past week, he’s been texting and bugging me about getting together before the wedding to “pregame” our date
. And I’ve blown him off every single time. The man’s persistent, but also stubborn.
I’m trying to give him every benefit of a doubt I possibly can, but he seems to ruin each chance at redemption. For example, when I thanked him for the champagne he sent to the spa, he grumbled about overspending and what difference does it make if he bought the cheap stuff. Weird, like he was mad about making a nice gesture when no one forced him to do it.
I don’t understand him. Sometimes he’s sweet when he’s not texting me man candy emojis.
Every time I bring up one of his sweet gestures or thank him for a compliment, he backslides into acting like a jerky teenager.
Then there’s Aiden with his advanced level kissing prowess and all of his ugly baggage. When I ran into him at the airport, which forever will be known as the site of the kiss, he mentioned meetings and was carrying a garment bag. I wonder if he had a court hearing or trial. Hopefully, all of the bad stuff is behind him now.
Right before the kiss, he mentioned coming home. If it’s true he’s here to stay, we’ll have plenty of time to sort rumor from fact post-wedding.
Ah, the wedding. Topher and Twyla better live happily ever after ’til death do they part.
As if sensing my thoughts drifting toward this coming weekend, my phone rings with a call from my mother.
I’ve been avoiding her this week, too. Her worry over my choice of clothing is bordering on obsession. Probably shouldn’t have joked about showing up naked as that might be what sent her over the cliff.
Against my better judgment, I accept the call.
“Mae? It’s Mom. I’m calling to confirm you have something for both tomorrow night and the wedding on Saturday. Oh, and the brunch. Don’t forget Sunday.” She speaks in a fast stream, not allowing a breath or pause for interruption.
I remain quiet as I stand in my bedroom, facing my closet. Her timing is eerily perfect.
“Are you there? Hello? Did I get your voicemail?” Mom’s irritation increases with each new question.
Up to You (Love with Altitude Book 4) Page 13
