Page 33 of Forbidden Love

“We can work with that. Be the man she needs. Support her. Listen to her. Let her take the lead.”

“I can do that.” I wouldn’t be pursuing her. I’d just be there for her. That sounded easy. “She’s eating dinner at her parents’ tonight. I told her she could call me if she needed to.”

“Sounds like you have it handled.” He finished his beer, placing the empty bottle on the bar top.

“You have any advice for me?” I asked, my stomach churning. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“Be patient. Be what she needs. But be prepared to pivot if necessary. If things get serious between you, talk to her brothers. She might not like it, but it’s the right thing to do.” He squeezed my shoulder.

“Thanks for listening.” Mac was the brother I went to when I had girl troubles, which wasn’t all that often since I’d gotten older. I hadn’t ever wanted more from a woman. That’s why Kylie had me discombobulated.

“That’s what I’m here for. I want you to be happy.”

“I am.” I loved my work, my family, and this town. What else was there?

“What’s the deal with you dragging your feet about the plans for the house?”

“I’m not dragging my feet.”

“What would you call it? We can start on the house as soon as you pick a design and choose everything.” Mac took a long pull of his beer, his gaze fixated on the game.

“I haven’t been able to decide on anything.” I felt stuck, and I wasn’t sure why.

“You don’t have to build a house because Sam and I did.”

“That’s not why,” I insisted, even though that was partially the reason. My brothers were settling down, and I wanted to do the same. “I need more space. I want to live outside of town.”

Mac held his hands up. “And give up all this?”

I snorted. “The bar scene is getting old.” I’d much rather be watching the game on my couch, or better yet, my outdoor patio.

“I just wanted to make sure you were doing it for the right reasons.”

“It’s past time, and I have the money. Why not?” I shrugged. The truth was, I’d been itching for a change, unsatisfied with my life.

“What if you meet someone you want to settle down with and they want to live somewhere else?” Mac asked.

“I’m never leaving Telluride. My business and my family are here.” I couldn’t imagine living somewhere else. The only time I’d left was for college. “Are you talking about Kylie?” At Mac’s nod, I continued. “She has no interest in settling down here. It’s temporary.”

“I’ve found that you can’t control who you’re attracted to and how your feelings develop. If you’re involved with her and she leaves—”

“You’re worried I’ll get hurt?” I asked, my stomach churning.

“I worry about you.”

“I’ve never wanted more from a woman. I’ll be fine.” But I already did want more than I’d ever wanted from someone else. I never talked to my brother about a woman’s family or got his advice on how to handle her. I always kept things casual. I’d seen what Sam and Mac had gone through and wanted nothing to do with emotional entanglements.

“I’m just looking out for you.”

“And I appreciate it, but I know what I’m doing.” Then why did I feel like I’d taken a step off a cliff and was falling toward the rocky cliffs below? I’d sink below the surf, and if I was lucky, I wouldn’t get slammed against the rocks. A sense of foreboding unfurled through my body.

Mac stood and threw some bills on the bar top. “I want to get back to my girls.”

“Tell them I said hi, and I love them,” I said, feeling a little uneasy that he was leaving. I would have preferred for him to stay and help me work through these new feelings sprouting in me. But I’d told him I was fine.

Mac grinned. “Come visit for dinner and tell them yourself.”

“Will do.” I nodded, and then he was gone.

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