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“You sure?” Her eyes scan the room, and when her shoulders relax, I know she sees that I do indeed have the downstairs back in order. No one will ever know about the night we shared in our fort by the fire. No one but us, and I promise it’s a night I will never forget.
“We have an hour,” she says, looking at her phone. “That’s good. Go shower, and I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“Thanks, babe.” I lean in for a kiss, and she flinches. “Aspen.”
“Sorry, I’m just… nervous, I guess. Last night and now they’re going to be here soon, and it’s just a lot to process. We’ll talk. Okay. Go, shower.” She waves her hand in the air. I lean in again for a kiss. This time she lets me, but she’s stiff and the first to pull away.
My heart sinks. No way am I letting her push me away after what we shared. Her touch is branded on my skin, and I can’t just forget something like that.
I rush through a shower, hoping to have some time with her to discuss us while we eat. In ten minutes flat, I’m back at the kitchen island just in time for her to plate up some eggs and toast.
“Quick and easy today.” She smiles, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Aspen?”
“I’m sorry. It’s been the two of us in this bubble we’ve been in the past few days, and that bubble’s about to be burst. I’m just feeling… off.” She smiles again, and although it’s not forced, it still lacks the brightness I’m used to from her.
“Come here.” I hold out my hand, and she takes it, allowing me to pull her between my legs and hug her tight. “It will all work out. We’re in this together. It took both of us,” I tell her.
“Yeah,” she agrees. “Eat up.” She moves out of my hold and digs into her food.
I wait until she’s finished to try again, but I’m stopped when the front door to the cabin opens. “I’m getting married!” Aurora cheers as she makes a beeline for her sister.
“Hey, bro.” Grant laughs. “She’s all kinds of excited that the roads were cleared early.”
“Of course, she is. Your wedding day is a big deal.”
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah. I stayed up late reading over a new code for the security system,” I lie.
Grant holds his hand up to stop me. “Say no more.”
The rest of our families file into the cabin. There are handshakes, hugs, and between Mom, Aspen, and Aurora’s mom, Sheila, orders are given out. I’m instructed to help my brothers salt the sidewalks and driveway. I should have already had it done, but spending time with Aspen was more important. There are five of us. We can knock this out in no time, same as we did as kids. I don’t know when, but I’ll find time in the chaos of this wedding to talk to my girl.
Chapter 13
Aspen
Everyone is in wedding mode. Thankfully, they’re all too preoccupied to notice I’m distracted. The past few days are replaying in my mind over and over again, with last night as the highlight reel. I feel… different. I couldn’t explain it even if I tried.
I’ve never had a man touch me so reverently and have the touch feel as though it was reaching my soul. It sounds crazy even thinking about it, but it’s the best way I know how to describe it. Being with Conrad was an out-of-body experience, one I’d happily relive every day for the rest of my life. However, I know that’s not possible. I’ll have the memories forever. That will have to do.
“Aspen, what do you think?” Mom asks.
“Oh, yeah.” I nod. I have no idea what she just asked me, but I’m going with it.
“Me too,” Aurora agrees.
Dodged a bullet. “So, what’s left?” I ask.
“I think that’s it. The decorators are coming at three, and the caterers are confirmed. They’re dropping off tables tomorrow,” Lena explains just as the dryer dings.
“I’ll get it,” Conrad says, walking into the kitchen to get to the laundry room.
“You’re doing laundry? Did you not bring enough clothes?” Lena questions. “I thought your dad asked if you needed anything?”
“That’s my fault.” I’m quick to come to his defense. “I was drinking hot chocolate and spilled a little on the blanket. Conrad threw it in the wash for me. I’m sorry.” The apology is for the lie that I’m going to hell for telling, but I can’t tell her that.
“Nonsense.” Lena waves me off.
Conrad’s eyes find mine, and the look he gives me tells a story. One of passion and risks and yearning. I recognize it because it’s exactly how I feel when I look at him. What we did was risky. I’ve never once thought of having sex without a condom, but there was no way I could have stopped.
