Page 85 of Broken Boundaries

Jasmine shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe.”

Both of them laugh, and I take that as my cue to get back to work. As much as I love taking all of Aspen’s attention, I know she needs time with her friends.

“I’ve got to get going, but I’ll see you later?”

“Yes, sir,” Aspen says.

Never one to not have the last word, Jasmine adds, “Oooh, kinky.”

I lean forward slightly as if I’m going to kiss Aspen, but her eyes go wide. I remember that we’re not at home and quickly pull back. I clear my throat and give her a tight nod before turning and heading back to my office to answer some emails. But first, I need to text Harper and Beck and invite them to drinks at Roadside tonight. I’ve got some shit I need to get off my chest.

Roadside has been non-smoking for over a decade, but that doesn’t stop the place from smelling like someone has been chain-smoking at the bar all day. Unfortunately, it’s been a staple in Blue Haven since before I was even born, so I’m certain we’ll never get rid of it, and we’re all far too loyal to allow another bar to pop up anywhere in the vicinity of this place.

“So drinks are on you, right? For this little impromptu drink meeting?” Harper asks as she slides onto the stool across the table from me. Beck sits down next to her.

“What if I said no?”

She shrugs. “I’d tell Owen to put them on your tab anyway.”

“That’s what I thought.”

We order drinks when the server stops by our table, and Harper adds an appetizer for the table.

“So, what’s going on?” Harper asks. “You’ve been a little MIA recently.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.” My palms are sweating, which is ridiculous because these are my best friends. I’ve known them for longer than I can even remember. I’m fairly confident that they won’t judge me. Or if they do, it’ll be less than everyone else will.

“Well, spit it out, man.” Beck gives me an expectant look.

“Ok, ok. I’ve kinda been seeing someone.” They both look at me with blank expressions, so I continue assuming that they’ve already figured that much out. “And it’s Aspen.”

Harper throws her hands up. “Oh, there it is! Thank god you finally got that out in the open.”

Wait, what? “You knew?”

“Well, you haven’t exactly been trying to hide it,” she says.

“Yes, I have.”

She laughs. “Well, then you’re terrible at it.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t realize what was going on when you took her on a sunrise ride? If that’s not romance, I don’t know what is. I figured you would tell me when you were ready, so I didn’t pry,” Beck says.

“Ok, and how did you figure it out?” I ask, focusing on Harper.

“Brooks, you look at her like she’s the only thing in the room every time she walks in.” I don’t know what she’s talking about. I don’t do that. “You get a goofy smile on your face when she looks at you.” Definitely don’t do that. “You’ve been hanging out at the front desk way more than usual.” That’s not true at all. “And I saw you kiss her behind the lodge last week.” Well… damn.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because, like Beck said, I knew you’d come to me when you were ready. But I was seriously dying inside to talk to you about it.”

I sit back and let out a breath. “Alright, well, now you know. But you two are the only ones who know besides Jasmine, so keep it between us for now. I’m having a hard time figuring out how to tell Zach.”

“I was wondering if he knew yet. I figured he’d be making a big fuss if he did.”

“Yeah. I’ve been meaning to tell him…”

“You just gotta rip that Band-Aid off,” Beck says. “You know he’s gonna be pissed, but if you’re sure about Aspen, then you just gotta do it.”