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She ran a finger over the edge of the bench. “Do you ever think about…what we promised at Kate and Tanner’s wedding?”
I cast my mind back. That had been…what? Seven years ago when I was twenty-six? And I’d had at least a few cocktails. But it came back to me. Blakely had just broken up with someone then too. It was right before she’d started dating her—now—ex-fiancé. I was single, but happily so. And yet, despite not quite being ready to settle down, I’d been aware that others—namely my parents—were hopeful that my plans would turn in that direction sooner rather than later.
Blakely and I had sat under fairy lights on the patio off the hotel ballroom and we’d jokingly promised to marry each other if we both found ourselves single once we turned thirty. I let out a short laugh, but Blakely’s expression didn’t change.
My laughter dwindled. “You can’t be serious,” I said.
She met my eyes and gave a small shrug. “I mean, we’re past thirty now and not getting any younger.” Her lashes lowered before she looked up at me again. “And you can’t tell me you didn’t know I had a crush on you growing up.” She licked her lips. “It’s not the worst idea in the world, is it?”
I gaped at her. “You’re suggesting getting married? To…each other?”
“Not tomorrow. I’m just…” She played with a ring on her right hand. “Well, I mean, we could consider it. And…see how things…progressed.”
I paused, waiting for her to say, just kidding! But she only stared as she tilted her head, holding eye contact. “Oh God, you are serious.” I took the few steps to the bench and sat next to her. Yes, we’d jokingly made a “pact,” and sure, I’d known she had a crush on me when we were younger. But I’d always thought that was just teenage stuff that had fallen by the wayside as we’d matured. We turned toward each other. “Blakely, we’ve always been like siblings.”
“We grew up together, Gage. We’re not related.”
“Yes, I’m aware. But…why? Why would we marry each other?”
“Because we’re ready to be married. To start a family. Because despite our best efforts, we’re nowhere close to having what we want. Because we’re both available. And it doesn’t hurt that our parents would be thrilled.”
I opened my mouth to argue. but the truth? She wasn’t wrong. I’d mentioned the fact that I was hoping to settle down to Lexi, who I guessed had said as much to Blakely at some point. It wasn’t a big secret. Hell, I’d made it clear to Travis Hale when we’d both been dating Haven years ago. Years ago. They’d gotten married and had a baby and here I was, as available as I’d ever been—available and having one-night stands with women there was absolutely no future with and feeling confused and distracted about it. Not only did I not have what I wanted, I was actually going backward in the settling down department.
And yes, our parents would be thrilled. In fact, they’d hinted about it on more than one occasion, which is what had inspired that long-ago promise at our mutual friends’ wedding. Who would be more perfect to step into the role of half of a power couple than Blakely Wingate, who’d been part of “high society” since she was born?
I let out a whoosh of breath as I sat back. “This is crazy,” I murmured. Only, was it? Maybe it made quite a bit of sense. Maybe it would give me the kick in the ass I needed to get mentally back on track.
Blakely scooted closer. “We don’t have to make any promises right now, Gage. Just…live with the idea for a bit. Lexi’s going back to New York, so we don’t have to worry about her questioning anything until we’ve made a decision. And if we decide it’s a horrible idea—no harm, no foul. It’ll just be the silly thing we once talked about and dismissed as ridiculous.”
I turned my head and looked at her. Really looked. My gaze moved over her wide brown eyes to her sloped nose, down to her mouth, her top lip fuller than her bottom. Yes, she was a beautiful woman. I’d thought it distantly, the way anyone would about someone they considered family. Perhaps I’d never seen her in a different light because I’d never attempted to. But maybe if I tried to, it would change everything.
I wish you all the luck in finding just what you’re looking for. Sometimes, it’s closer than you think. The words Haven had said so recently came back to me. Maybe she was right.
Maybe the person I’d been looking for—the one who would help squelch this antsy, unsettled feeling and ensure I met the expectation that I carry on the family name—had been right in front of me all along. It would help me set my mind on something—someone—tangible, and it would please my parents to no end. I could already picture the joyful excitement on their faces if we broke that kind of news.
Except…
“There’s a problem, Blakely. I’m going to London. In a little over two months. I’m moving to oversee the opening of our first international hotel. My dad’s put me at the helm.”
“Yes,” she said. “Lexi told me about that and mentioned the weekend your mother’s considering throwing you a going-away party. The fact that you’re opening a hotel in London is incredible. You must be so excited.”
“I am. But, Blakely, it’s not temporary. We’re hoping to open up several more in Europe, and eventually other international locations too.”
She blinked and was silent for a couple beats before her face lit up in a grin. “I’m in!” she said.
“You’d go?”
She reached out and took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. “In a heartbeat,” she said. “And think about it, Gage. It would be perfect. We could…” She let go of my hand and laced her own in her lap as she looked down, appearing suddenly shy. “Well, we could get to know each other as a couple away from the prying eyes of Calliope and Pelion.”
“What about your job?”
“I’m an online stylist, Gage. I can do that from anywhere. In fact, my clients would probably love it if I was pulling together their looks straight from London.”
An online stylist. I had no real idea what that was or if she was serious about it. I guess there were some things I still didn’t know about Blakely. Perhaps there was more to her than I’d ever given her credit for.
I ran a finger under my lip, considering. It would take the pressure off to explore a relationship away from the small-town gossips who’d known us all our lives. And maybe beginning something in a new and different place would help us both see each other as new and different people—help us shrug off that familial connection we’d always had.
And then when—or if—we returned to Calliope for holidays, our foundation as a couple would be well-established.
