Page 30 of We're One

“Because we’re heading down there tomorrow. You have to come with us. We’re taking the private jet and there’s plenty of room on it. I won’t let you tell me no. I happen to know your current client, and he won’t complain about it at all,” Sasha says as she laughs with delight.

“No complaints from me,” Zach quickly pipes in. Not that he’d get to complain. If one of his brother’s soon-to-be wives wants something, they won’t be denied. I can already see that dynamic in this family. The men look at their fiancées like they hang the moon and stars.

“I don’t know,” I say, not knowing why I’m hesitating. I feel like I’m taking advantage of my current client, which I don’t want to do. I can’t imagine the cost of traveling on a private jet.

“I won’t take no for an answer. We haven’t spent time together in ages,” Sasha says. “We’ll get all of the gang together and have a bonfire to beat all bonfires ever done before.”

“Well... it would be sort of cool.” I cave far too easily.

“Good, then it’s settled. Nikki has to come too. Tell her to put everything on hold.” Sasha has always known who she is and doesn’t easily take no for an answer. I can’t wait to hear all about her romance with Callan. I bet she put him through the wringer. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever settle down. She was one of those women who loved being single.

“Nikki’s going to be thrilled. She misses home more than I do.”

“Of course she does because Seaville’s the best place on the planet,” Sasha says.

More wine is poured, and excitement flows through me as we make plans for the next day. We’re leaving at eight in the morning so not super early, but it’s only a two-hour flight so we’ll be there with plenty of time to enjoy two full days of fun. I can see my parents and still hang with my friends. It doesn’t get better than that.

Food arrives, and we all laugh and have fun as I get to know Zach’s family. Between the wine and being fully accepted into his family, it makes it harder to keep my feelings for him at bay. I’m in big trouble where Zach is concerned. Instead of wanting to run from him, I want to never leave his side.

After hours of fun, I realize I drank far too much to drive. Zach offers for me to stay, but I immediately shake my head no. He offers to take me home, but Sasha says they’re heading that way anyway and she’d love to take me. Zach doesn’t appear too pleased by this, but it’s settled before he can protest.

He gives me a long intense look as I walk out his door that leaves my stomach tied in knots even after I close the car door behind me. My feelings for him are more complicated than they’ve ever been. But I can’t dwell on that, not when I’m heading home to see my family and friends in only a few short hours. I can’t wait to get home and tell Nikki. We have some packing to do. She’s going to be as excited as I am. This day went from great to absolutely perfect. I’ll figure out what all of this means with Zach later. I’ll have the full weekend without him to sort through my feelings... or at least that’s what I think I’ll have.

Chapter Fourteen

Zach

I smile as Sia arrives with Sasha, Callan, and Nikki. As soon as Sia steps from the vehicle her eyes widen in shock, and dare I say, a bit of pleasure, at the sight of me. I didn’t let her know I was coming on the trip. No way was I missing out on the chance to spend a work-free weekend with her. I also really want to go back to her hometown she loves so much — the place where our story officially began. I made mistakes back then.

It’s been a very long time since I was in Seaville. I’m nine years overdue. That summer we had together was one of the best of my life. I went through a lot that year and wasn’t looking for more than a fling, but being with Alessia ended up being so much more than that. What was supposed to be a weekend, lasted for weeks. I couldn’t pull myself away from her. When I finally did leave, I was sad to do it. I didn’t say goodbye, I simply disappeared. It wasn’t one of my finer moments.

I now have a chance to make it right, though. I have a chance to recreate some memories with her, to remind her of how good we are together. Of course, I might be reminding her how I left her behind by being here, but maybe I can show her I’m a new man, and this time, it isn’t a fling I’m interested in. I’m not sure what my end goal is, but I know it’s been nearly a month and nothing inside of me wants to run away.

I’ve backed off of pursuing her over the past few weeks, and she’s done an incredible job redecorating my home, but instead of this making me lose interest, it’s only made me want her more. I waited for the right time to make my next move. This trip will be the perfect opportunity. I can’t screw it up. I’ll show her I want her more now than ever before.

I’ve noticed the glances she’s sent my way over the past few weeks when she thought I wasn’t watching her. She should know I’m always aware of where she is and what she’s doing. I understand her guarding herself. I hurt her. I won’t do it again. No matter how this plays out, I won’t be that man who simply disappears. We’ll step into this the right way.

It means more than either of us realize because I can’t get her off my mind. She consumes me, whether she’s around me or not. I have a feeling it’s the same way for her. What we have isn’t something that should be taken lightly. I was enchanted by her nine years ago, and after having made love to her again a few weeks ago, that enchantment has grown to biblical proportions.

It’s about so much more than sex, though. I genuinely like this woman. I love how her presence lights up a room, love how carefree and happy she is when she thinks no one’s watching. I’m incredibly impressed by how talented she is with her job. She truly is making my home shine, making it an actual home. I’m going to have her again. This is the time and place for it to happen, the chance I can’t pass up.

“You’re here early, bro,” Callan says with a smirk. He’s well aware my eyes are for Sia, and Sia alone. It wasn’t long ago he held the same look in his own expression whenever he was around Sasha. Man, these women wind us up tighter than a yo-yo.

“Didn’t want you to leave without me,” I say as I move toward the jet when their group approaches.

“Didn’t want to have to take a regular plane?” Callan taunts.

“Look who’s talking. I bet I’ve flown more airlines than you,” I push back.

“That’s because I’m important and have places to go. You’re a homebody,” he taunts.

“Ha,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “You only think you’re important.”

The jet’s owned by all three of us, but Callan uses it more than any of us. He’s building resorts all around the world. That requires a lot of travel. Blaze used to travel a lot more than he does these days, but it’s more for adventure than work. My deals are mostly in Seattle, but as my business has grown, I’m actually needed less and less. I have a great team who know what they’re doing. It makes me rethink what I want to do in the next stage of my life.

We board the jet, and I wait for Sia to take a seat before I quickly take the one next to her. She hasn’t said a word to me yet, but I’m okay with that. I can see she’s trying to arm herself, trying to put her shield into place. I won’t give her a chance to do that. I want the carefree woman I’m utterly falling for. I can’t give her too much breathing room.

“Are you excited?” I ask after our steward takes our drink and breakfast order. We don’t have a lot of options on the plane, but they pretty much know our favorite dishes. It is our jet after all.

---