Page 67 of Broken Boundaries

I swallow hard and shake my head just slightly, but it’s enough to see the disappointment flash across her eyes. “Go have fun, Aspen. Enjoy your birthday.”

She nods. I know she doesn’t like my answer, but I have to believe she understands it.

She walks off, and I shut the door and lean my head against it. I just sent her off to be with another man.

Fuck, I’m going to be thinking about that kiss for the rest of my life.

CHAPTER 25

Aspen

It’s been two days since my birthday. Which means it’s been two days since the most incredible kiss of my life. I knew it was risky asking for that. I also expected him to say no. Needless to say, when he pulled me close and looked at me like he was going to devour me, I thought I was dreaming.

I could barely think straight all night. Dinner with Dawson was awkward because I think he’s catching on that I’m not as interested in him as he is in me. I’m trying, really trying, to like him, but I can’t stop thinking about Brooks. Even when we were all at Roadside, I kept watching the door like he’d walk in and sweep me off my feet.

It’s stupid.

He told me we can’t be anything else. I’m trying to respect that, but it’s so hard when I want so much more with him.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to keep my cool around him. He brings me dinner every night. He knocks on my door and hands me a Tupperware full of whatever he made that night. It’s always delicious. I can’t even explain how nice it feels to have someone take care of me for a change.

We both keep things more than professional at work. We’re hardly ever alone together, which is probably for the best.

But that changes one day while I’m working on his budget for the Blue Haven Halloween Festival. Brooks walks up to where I’m working and closes my laptop. “You wanna go see the newly renovated guest cabin?”

“I would love to!” Not only do I want to see the renovations that Jazz has been going on about, but I’d also do just about anything to spend time with Brooks.

“Let’s go.”

I slip my laptop into a nearby drawer and follow Brooks out of the lodge and down through the walking paths to the guest cabins. Our hands brush more than once. I wish he would just reach out and take my hand, but I know that’s not going to happen.

“Are you renovating all of the cabins?” I ask as he pulls out the key to the one we’re seeing.

“Eventually, yes. But we’re starting with the ones that needed a little more TLC first.”

He opens the door and ushers me inside. I haven’t been to the cabins since my initial tour with Brooks all those months ago. I remember them being pretty bare bones, but this one has been modernized.

“Wow,” I gasp, looking around. “This looks so nice.”

The kitchenette has been upgraded. The walls are still natural wood, but the furniture is new, and there’s a colorful rug in the center and beautiful artwork hanging over the couch.

“We’re still going to leave a few cabins as they were because we have plenty of guests who come here for the traditional cabin feel and escape. But for some of the new guests with younger families, we wanted to make it an escape but still be comfortable and what they’re used to at home and other potential hotels.”

“This truly looks fantastic, Brooks. I think this will bring in a lot of younger families. Have you updated the website yet?”

I turn to find him watching me, arms crossed over his chest, smiling at me.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing. I just like watching you.”

I bite my lip to keep from smiling too big.

“We haven’t updated the website yet, no. I think Harper was going to work on that next week.”

“I can help with that, if she’s too busy.”

“I’ll let her know.”