Page 13 of Aaron

Cherise: Private plane or not, you didn’t have to come.

Enzo: Sure, we did. Be a good girl until we get there.

If steam could come out of my ears, it would be right now. They make me so mad sometimes.

“Brother trouble?” Abbie asks.

I’d forgotten she was here, and my heart jumps a little. “Yeah, they’re being especially jerk-burgery right now. How did you know?”

“I know that look. It only happens when you have older brothers.” Her laughter makes me giggle, too. It helps more than I expected. I’d been stressing since I hung up with Jac this morning. Holy moly. Was it only this morning?

My stomach growls. Ugh. I should have stopped and got some food at the airport. I search my backpack and find a bag of M&M’s Peanuts. Candy is the perfect meal, especially when served with coffee. Too bad I don’t have any of that in my bag.

“Would you like some?” I eat two green ones and then offer the bag to Abbie.

“Thank you. Gosh, it’s been ages since I’ve had these. They’re just as yummy as I remember.”

As Abbie munches on the candy, I really look at her for the first time. She’s probably close to my age and really pretty. Not in a flashy, city kind of way, but the typical girl-next-door you see described in books. She’s got hazel eyes and tanned skin that practically glows. Her wavy, shoulder-length brown hair has golden highlights in it, and I’d bet anything they’re from the sun and not from sitting in a salon for hours.

I feel like an ugly duckling sitting next to her. Not that it matters what I look like since I’m promised to Arturo. The thought of marrying him makes me want to gag. Eww. I need to think of something else, or I’m going to need her to pull over so I can vomit.

“You said you live in Maple Creek?” I ask.

“Yes, born and raised there. My family runs the market. We grow a lot of the produce we sell. But once a month, we head to Asheville for special orders that we don’t trust to a delivery service. It was my turn to go this time.”

“I bet it’s nice to get away.” My gaze travels between Abbie as she speaks and the view. It’s gorgeous out here. Even the air feels fresher.

“I love Maple Creek. The people are so nice. It stays pretty quiet, except during leaf-peeping season, but since we only have one B&B, we don’t get too busy. I do love the chance to get away from my brothers when it’s my turn.”

“I’ve been lucky. My bestie, Jaclyn, and I live in San Jose, and my family lives in New York—Brooklyn, actually, so I’ve been lucky to be away from them for a while now.”

“Don’t you miss your family?” she asks as she glances at me.

“Sometimes. Probably not as much as I should. I’ll be seeing them soon, so I guess we’ll see how much they’ve missed me.” Should I miss them more? I get a sick feeling from the guilt and put the candy away. I should probably visit more often. It’s that stupid wedding hanging over my head that keeps me away. And Mom, if I’m honest. But I’d never say that out loud.

“Oh yeah, are you going to visit them after you leave here?”

“Actually, they’re coming, too. I’m not sure how they’re getting to the mountain, but they’ll be arriving in Asheville soon.”

“Seriously? Did they get invited as well?”

“Nope, they’re chasing me.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, but it’s how I feel. Family or not, they’re jerk-burgers.

“Wow. I need to make popcorn when I get home and watch for the fireworks if they try to get on the mountain without permission.” She grins. “Did you hear from your friend? Are they going to be watching for you?”

I check my phone, but I know Jac hasn’t responded. If I tell Abbie, will she still bring me up the mountain? I can’t chance it, so I fib again. Good thing Cris isn’t here. He’d probably carry out his threat of a red bottom.

“She said they’d be watching the feeds and someone would come out to meet me.”

“Great. We’ll be there just in time for sunset—about another ten minutes.”

“Cool. My first mountain sunset. I bet they’re beautiful out here, with all the fresh air.”

“They are. I love how the colors change during the different times of the year. You wouldn’t think the sky would change, but it does. If you’re here long enough, you’ll see it for yourself.”

“Wow. I’d love to see that, but I doubt I’ll be here long.” If my brothers have their way, I’ll be leaving with them tonight.

Abbie has been so nice, not at all like my first impression. I bet if I stayed here, we could be friends. She’s so different from anyone I’ve met before—more open, I guess, once she got past her initial distrust.