Page 11 of Forbidden Love

“I love Telluride. The view, the clean air, and the stars,” she said as she tipped her head slightly back as if she could see them, but it was still light out.

“You here to stay?” Mac asked.

Kylie chuckled. “I have no idea. My work history consists of working in a hotel in Paris. There’s nothing similar here.”

“What about the lodge? It’s not as luxurious as where you worked, I’m sure…” Mac trailed off.

“My brothers have it handled,” Kylie said simply. There was no censure in her voice, but I heard the emptiness and the unspoken words—there wasn’t a place for her.

I hated that she felt that way. My dad made sure there was space for me and my brothers in the business, while assuring us we could pursue whatever we wanted. We didn’t have to work for him, but we wanted to. When Sam wanted to branch out to create patios and outdoor kitchens, my dad supported him.

“I’m sure they’d make space for you,” Mac said, but I wasn’t so sure.

The Wilde brothers had been running the resort for a while, and they were set in their ways. They’d never included her in anything when they were younger and she came home from college on breaks.

“I used to organize events at the hotel. It was kind of my specialty, and I always wondered what it would be like to do it myself. The fundraiser I held the other night was supposed to be a test of sorts.”

“How did it go?” Sam asked.

I’d have to start thinking of her as my future sister-in-law’s best friend and not my best friend’s younger sister. But I wasn’t sure either was a good option.

“Surprisingly well. It was something people could rally behind. The local sports stores were the biggest contributors, offering to put bins at their stores to collect lightly used equipment and offering a sizable donation. But it was the smaller donations from local businesses that all added up. I have to thank Tyler and you guys for your donation. I wasn’t expecting it.”

“We’re happy to donate to a good cause and support the Wilde family,” Mac said, probably not realizing this was Kylie’s thing and not her family’s or her brothers’. It was important to her to be seen as a separate entity, a force all her own.

I saw that. I always had. When her brothers brushed her off or pushed her away, I wanted to extend an olive branch, but back then, they would have teased me, saying I had a crush on her. And maybe I did, but I think I just saw someone who was lonely and wanted to be included.

As the middle child, I’d always gone from Sam to Mac, playing them off one another. I’d never truly been alone. But that fear was there that I’d be left out.

“Who wants dessert?” Natalie asked as the kids cheered, and the talk of Kylie’s charity event was forgotten.

I was the only one who noticed she was quiet for the rest of the night. I wanted to take her aside and tell her I got her. But we weren’t friends.

CHAPTER 4

KYLIE

When I went shopping with Natalie and Alice, I hadn’t expected to find Tyler at Mac’s house when we returned. But I’d have to get used to him hanging around Natalie and Alice. It would have been nice to have a girls’ night out at a wine bar in town, or even dinner, but both of my friends had kids. They had responsibilities, and they wanted to spend time with their significant others. I couldn’t blame them.

I’d heard that Tyler enjoyed the single life, living near the bars downtown and generally liking being unattached. I wondered if his buying property and building a house signaled a change in his life.

He was settling down, and I felt more unmoored than ever. I thought I’d be promoted up the chain of management at the hotel I worked for. I never should have hooked up with the owner’s son. It was cliche, and I should have known it wouldn’t end well for me, especially when there was a no-fraternization policy. When Brad’s father and my boss found out, I was the one reprimanded and let go. I should have known a family member would inherit the business, not someone from outside. But I’d only taken that risk because I thought what I had with Brad was special. It turned out he had a history of dating employees. I was just one of many.

How could I fit in somewhere when there was never a place for me? Because I was the youngest of five, and the only girl, , my parents didn’t really know what to do with me. They were past the point of buying new toys, even if I was a girl. Any desire for a dollhouse or dolls was dismissed. Finally, I gave up and decided to be more like the boys. That didn’t work either. Why was I always trying to fit in somewhere I didn’t?

Today, I was supposed to meet with Tyler to discuss his plan for a partnership. I was sure I’d turn it down. This was my thing, and I had no interest in sharing it with anyone.

I wanted something just for myself. I loved organizing the event and talking to people about my plans. It was exhilarating. And the best part was, I loved helping people. The last thing I wanted to do was get involved in something that would force me to work closely with Tyler. It was playing with fire.

When I arrived at the coffee shop, I found Tyler leaning against the brick wall, his head bowed over his phone.

The air was chillier today, a hint of the fall weather that was just around the corner.

I paused in front of him, and he slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine.

“Hey.” I fiddled with the chain strap of my designer purse. I’d dressed professionally in black slacks, a silky white button-down, and my favorite red patent leather shoes.

I’d worked in Paris. I was a sophisticated woman. I didn’t revert to being “that Wilde girl” just because I was back in my hometown. I wasn’t sure why it was so important for Tyler to see the distinction between how I was then and how I was now.

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