Page 64 of Wish You Were Mine

“More hands on deck is always good,” he replied. “You’re best to talk to Connor though. He’s the one who runs the team.”

Even while he spoke, her gaze never left me. “Maybe I will.”

Thankfully, Eden called over to let us know our drinks were ready.

“We’d better go,” I said, standing and pushing the chair in.

“Wait.” She touched my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “Let’s do something this weekend.”

I looked over at Eden, who’d arched an eyebrow as she watched the show. “I’m busy this weekend. Sorry.”

Ashley’s lips pursed. “I didn’t say what time.”

“The midwinter dip is on Saturday,” Liam said, saving my ass. “And then Ash and I have an all-day hike planned for Sunday.”

“Oh.” She looked disappointed, but then brightened. “I like hiking.”

She stared at me. I glanced down at my hands. Liam shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. No one said anything even though she was clearly angling for an invitation.

“Maybe I’ll see you at the midwinter dip,” she said finally.

I tilted my head in acknowledgement and ducked around her. Liam and I carried a tray of drinks each out of Taste of Destiny. Outside, I used the wall to help balance the drinks while I opened the umbrella.

“What was that about?” Liam asked quietly as we began to walk. “You were a bit rude to her.”

I groaned. “I’m afraid she wants to get back together. You know how she kept coming around every time she got moody before she left town, saying how sorry she was to have ended it, and that she’d never find anyone better than me. Even though she was the one who told me I worked too much and was never emotionally available to her when she needed me.”

He winced. “Yeah, I remember. Our jobs aren’t exactly relationship friendly.”

“You make it work,” I pointed out. Surely, if Liam could manage a healthy relationship with Kennedy, I had a chance at doing the same with someone else. Although he had always been better at balance than me.

“Only because Kennedy matters more to me than anything else.” His soft smile took the wind out of my sails. “If you prioritized Ashley…”

I blew out a breath. The problem was that I didn’t want to. The only woman I’d been tempted to prioritize over the job was Summer, and I had to admit that being preoccupied with her was already making me careless.

“I just don’t have the emotional bandwidth to go through that with her all over again,” I told him.

“Fair enough.” He was quiet for a moment, then added, “But you are looking to settle down, and she does seem interested. Maybe it’s worth giving it another shot? Look what happened when I gave Kennedy a second chance.”

I shook my head. “I’m not interested in her.”

Liam stopped suddenly. I slowed and looked over my shoulder at him.

“But you are interested in someone,” he said, as if he’d had an epiphany. “That’s why you don’t want Ashley. There’s someone else. Who?”

I hesitated and considered denying it. After all, hadn’t I proved that I was exactly what Summer didn’t need? Careless, reckless, irresponsible. But even thinking of keeping my distance from her exhausted me. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could do it.

“Yeah, there is,” I admitted. “I’m still figuring out where we stand though. I promise, as soon as it’s official, you’ll be the first to know.”

30

SUMMER

I admired the excellent view of Asher’s backside as I limped behind him up the trail to Destiny Tarn. Tight butt, strong back, broad shoulders, and those lean, muscled legs. I couldn’t wait to touch him.

Unfortunately for me, that was unlikely to happen today since we were accompanied by almost the entire Braddock posse. Nate and Tess, Max, Kennedy and Liam, Toby, Bailey, Blair, and Asher’s sister Frannie, her husband Dean, and their baby Marcy. Not exactly the kind of company that allowed for a romantic interlude.

That said, Asher had my gear in his backpack—a good sign. He’d insisted on carrying it for me. He’d tried to tell me I couldn’t come to the midwinter dip at all, but having grown up with five brothers, I could out-stubborn him any day of the week. Anyway, my ankle felt much better. It was still sore but no longer puffy and inflamed.

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