“I know it sounds bad, like I’m leading her on.”
It’s like he read my thoughts.
“It doesn’t sound great.”
“Imightbe in love with her. There’s a lot about Summer that works with me. She’s driven in her career, fine to work long hours beside me, she makes killer coffee, and she’s had a lot of great ideas on the All-Weather Blanket.”
That sounds like a list of compliments you’d give your employee, not your girlfriend.
He continues, “Like I said, my mind is just elsewhere right now, so it’s hard to know how I feel.”
My nod serves as my response.
“What did you think about her?”
Besides thinking she’s an excellent kisser?
If I set the accidental kiss aside, as any good brother would, she’s cute in a fun-loving kind of way—the type of woman you could tackle to the ground and she’d laugh about it. But at the same time, I could totally see her rocking a sexy dress and high heels. But that’s just first impressions. We barely talked. My assessment could be all wrong.
“She seems sweet.”
“She is. Not to mention thoughtful and kind. She reminds me of Mom, you know? That’s why I’m just letting things between us play out for a little while.”
If Summer is even half the woman Patsy Davidson is, then Justin should stop being an idiot and go buy an engagement ring right now.
“This whole fight will blow over. She just needs a night to sleep on it.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Honestly, I think she was just ticked that I didn’t go ballistic over your kiss. That’s what she was really mad about. Normally, she’s cool about the work stuff and the sacrifices I have to make to grow my business.”
“The blankets?”
“Yeah, the blankets.” His words are clipped. “They’re doing really well, by the way. Thanks for asking.”
“I know they’re doing well. Mom’s been telling me all about how sales skyrocketed after yourShark Tankepisode aired, and you said the sales projection for Black Friday is huge. I think it’s awesome.”
“It is awesome.” The tenseness in Justin’s shoulders relaxes when he sees I’m not going to tease him about his business. I probably would’ve when we were teenagers, but I’ve matured a lot over the years, and I respect him for working hard and building a company. If you’re passionate about something, you should go after it. That’s how I’ve always lived my life. Besides, who am I to dis on how someone chooses to make money? My own path hasn’t been traditional.
“So now that you know about my problems with Summer, it’s only fair I know why you’re here.”
“I just needed a break from filming and from always being on the go. What better time to take a break than the holidays? Spend time with family.” I don’t need to go into the whole part about me feeling like something is missing in my life—a grounding influence that is distinctly absent. When you’ve jumped off one tall bridge, it starts to feel like you’ve jumped off them all.
But even that isn’t the real reason I came home.
My best friend, Lars, died two months ago, and although I knew it was coming—his leukemia had gotten worse over the last year—I wasn’t prepared for how much losing him would make me miss every other relationship I’d lost in my life. I can’t get Lars back, but maybe I can get my family back, and that’s what my time in Telluride is all about.
Justin slaps his thighs before coming to a stand. “I’m sure Mom will be thrilled about your homecoming.”
There’s an edge to his words, the one that was there when we were kids, the childhood jealousy that I’m the presumed favorite son.
Kiss his girlfriend, no big deal.
But if our mom so much as smiles at me, he’ll be wracked with jealousy.
That’s where the real rivalry is at.
“I’ll go visit Mom and Dad tomorrow.” I keep my eyes on him. “But I’m not just here to see them. I want to hang out with you as well. Reconnect a little.”
“Great, another person demanding I spend time with them,” he jokes.
“Nah, I’m not here to stress you out. I’m chill to just hang out like this.”
