Page 42 of Forbidden Love

Then I remembered that Kylie said she loved looking at blueprints. Maybe she could give me some direction. The irony wasn’t lost on me that my contractor brothers couldn’t help me, but Kylie could.

“I don’t know how you built so many houses over the years and you don’t know exactly what you want.”

“I guess I never thought I’d build a house.” That was the only thing I could think of. I was content with my bachelor life and couldn’t see past it. I never wanted a family like Mac did, or needed a house like Sam did for his daughter. “I’ve been content with what I have.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

But I sensed that Sam thought it was a little odd that I didn’t know what I wanted. It added this pressure, like a weight on my chest.

“What would you want if the possibilities were endless? If you could do anything, move anywhere.”

“Why would I do that when I’m happy here? I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else or live anywhere outside of Telluride.” Everyone I loved was here. There was no need to long for something else when I had everything I needed.

“Maybe always knowing stifled your imagination.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I could see that thinking I had everything would shut my brain down to other possibilities. I wouldn’t look for other job opportunities or places I’d want to live. But the thought of opening my brain to the options freaked me out a little. Living here, near my family, was safe.

“We’ll look at this later. Maybe something will inspire you.”

Maybe it would be Kylie.

“Thanks for watching Maggie for us,” Sam said as he gathered the blueprints.

“I like spending time with her. I don’t mind.” It was nice to have that one-on-one time with her when Alice and my brothers weren’t around. We were able to form a special bond.

“You’ve stopped going to the bars?”

“I wouldn’t say that. I just don’t have to do it every weekend.” Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d joined my friends for a night out. I was more likely to call one of my brothers to catch up over a beer than hunt for hookups with my buddies.

“You’re growing up,” Sam teased as he made a move to leave the room.

“I guess so.” Maybe that’s all this was. I was moving to the next stage of my life; it just didn’t involve a big life change.

CHAPTER 12

KYLIE

I was looking forward to seeing Tyler but wondered what I was thinking when I agreed to join him when he babysat his niece. The only explanation I could settle on was that I enjoyed watching him with Maggie.

He was a natural with her. I never would have seen him as a guy that would melt for a little girl, but he did. But then again, I didn’t know him that well.

When I rang Alice and Sam’s doorbell, the door immediately opened.

“Maggie,” I said, a little surprised that she’d answered the door.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. “They said you were coming.”

“You don’t mind if I hang out with you, do you?” I asked, suddenly uncomfortable, even though she was holding my hand.

“What’s that?” Instead of answering, Maggie pointed at the box I held in my hand.

“It’s an art box I thought we could do together,” I said, second-guessing my decision since Alice was an artist and probably did things like this with her all the time.

Maggie squealed and brought her hands together as if in prayer. “Can I have it?”

“Of course.” I handed the box to her, and she took it to the kitchen.

Alice walked into the foyer. “How are you?”

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