Spring Fling Trio- Beyond Love Starter Set

by Karice Bolton

  “Told me what?”

  “You know what,” Gabby said.

  “What kind of pizza do you want?” I tried again.

  “Was it Mason? He can never keep his mouth shut,” Brandy huffed.

  “I bet it was Aaron. He didn’t seem too pleased,” Gabby mused.

  “What on earth are you guys talking about?” I glanced at my phone, wondering if I should text Ayden that his sister was about to give in and tell me everything. I hadn’t actually heard from him since Wednesday, and with this, I’d at least have an excuse to reach out.

  “We tracked down your high school boyfriend,” Brandy said, at last.

  Even though I knew it was coming, my heart still did the stop and ‘oh my gosh’ routine, which was annoying. I didn’t want to give away that Ayden had come clean so I just stared at them, waiting for either one of them to continue.

  “That was why we planned a trip to Utah,” she continued.

  “You didn’t have his name.”

  “Do you think I’d let a little thing like that stop me from possibly finding my best friend’s true love?” Brandy asked, completely deadpan.

  “Listen, what you guys have done is sweet but very misguided. There was more to the story than I told you. And I recognize that’s my fault, not yours. But I actually have tried to reach out over the years and he’s never responded. So you better get ready to just enjoy a lovely ski trip and nothing more.”

  Brandy and Gabby looked at each other and then turned their attention to me.

  “He responded to us,” Gabby said.

  “What do you mean responded to you?” I asked. My pulse began racing as I thought about what just rolled off her tongue. It was one thing to track him down but quite another to contact him.

  “Aaron and Jason have been against this idea from the beginning—”

  “For good reason,” I interrupted Brandy.

  “They knew they couldn’t convince us to give up our idea, but they thought the least we could do was make sure Austin wasn’t married with five kids.” Gabby had pressed herself into the chair as far as she could go.

  “And?” I asked.

  “He’s not married, not by a long shot,” Brandy answered. “He responded to our email and said he’d love to see you.”

  “Well, that’s not exactly how he said it.” Gabby’s brow raised at Brandy, but Brandy didn’t continue so Gabby took over. “He kind of implied he was looking forward to meeting all of us.”

  “Okaaay?” I prompted. “That seems normal enough.”

  “It was kind of in a flirty way,” Brandy finished for Gabby.

  I noticed just how close Brandy and Gabby had become recently. Living in Portland away from them definitely put a bit of wedge between me and them. Maybe I should look for work in Seattle once I gave my notice. They were like my family, far more so than my blood relatives.

  “He’s single. It’s not illegal to flirt.” I found myself already making excuses for him, and it wasn’t like I even knew who he was any longer. We’d both gone our separate directions.

  “He thinks you’re single because we thought you were when we emailed him,” Brandy replied. “And I think I’d like pepperoni.”

  “Me too,” Gabby agreed.

  “The pizza can wait,” I muttered. “I want to hear what you guys thought could come of this. I want your idea of what a happily-ever-after would be in this case.”

  “Our hope was that you wouldn’t know any of this was happening. That you were going to arrive in Utah. We’d all have a wonderful group dinner and when we went to leave for the evening, he’d be standing across the room and you’d see him. And he’d see you,” Brandy’s voice trailed off.

  “And then both of your eyes would lock on each others, knowing it was meant to be,” Gabby sighed. “Ridiculous. I know.”

  “I’ve known about your plan for an entire week,” I confessed.

  My cheeks began to get warm, and I felt overly anxious for some reason.

  “I’m gonna grab some water. Do you guys want anything to drink?” I asked. I needed to regroup, and I didn’t want to admit that their foolish ideas of how love worked, also matched mine for the last week.

  “I’m fine,” Brandy responded.

  “Me too,” Gabby agreed.

  I went to the kitchen and filled my water glass and took huge gulps as I fought with myself over make-believe scenarios. This type of reminiscing was detrimental. It was one thing to wonder where people landed in life, but this took it to an entirely different place, a place that wasn’t even grounded in this world, let alone this universe. But I had to love them for trying.

  Feeling hydrated and a little more centered, I walked back into the family room. Neither of them had spoken a word since they’d unveiled their vision for me and my happily-ever-after. There was just an awkward silence.

  “The truth of it is,” I paused, “I’ve dreamed that would be my fairytale ending too,” I replied.

  Gabby’s mouth fell open.

  “Since I found out about what you two were up to, I’ve Googled him countless times and spent my nights imagining that we’d reconnect, and all would be forgiven, and he’d fall madly in love with me all over again. And I feel absolutely insane for having those thoughts cross my mind. I blame you both completely. It’s entirely unlike me and even my own bullshit detector’s going off,” I said. “But then I think back to the connection we shared in high school. It was so intense, and I’ve spent the short amount of time that I’ve been an adult hoping to find that again.”

  “Well, maybe you can’t find it with anyone else because Austin’s the one,” Brandy offered.

  “Do you really believe in just one?” I asked.

  “I do.” Brandy nodded.

  “You?” I asked Gabby.

  “Yup. Now that I have Jason.”

  “So I have two hopeless romantics trying to plan my future. This is so not going to work out well,” I sighed.

  “Especially since you’re going down to Utah already attached,” Brandy said, nodding in agreement.

  “About that.” I picked up the phone and dialed the pizza place. “I’m not seeing anyone. I just wanted to drive you two mad. And it looks like it worked.”

  As I was ordering the pizza, Gabby and Brandy were whispering nonstop about who could have told me about their master plan and how dirty I played it. I couldn’t help but love these girls. We didn’t talk behind one another’s back. Nope. We just did it right in front of each other. I hung up the phone and curled my legs underneath me on the couch.

  “Pizza’ll be here in fifteen minutes,” I said.

  “Why won’t you tell us who ratted us out?” Brandy scowled.

  “I always protect my sources.”

  My mind drifted to Ayden, and I wondered what he was up to tonight. And then the trip flashed into my mind with a jolt. The jig was up. I needed to text him. I got up from the couch and walked to my bedroom, leaving Brandy and Gabby to their guessing game.

  My comforter was pushed down to the foot of the bed, and the sheets had been stripped off my bed and were in the washer, but I crawled on top anyway. The mattress fabric was kind of scratchy so I propped my elbows on my pillows as I typed my text out to Ayden.

  They let the cat out of the bag. Fully admitted everything about the trip. Just wanted to let you know so you still had time to find someone to take with you, third wheel and all. Also, all is on schedule for your campaign. Thanks again for everything. You’re the best. xx

  I hit the send button and decided to wait a few minutes before leaving my room. I didn’t want to get out there and have a text from Ayden flash on my screen. That would be a dead giveaway.

  I thought I’d already mentioned that I wasn’t bringing anyone. Glad you got them to confess. I have full confidence in the campaign. No need for updates.

  Huh…

  Was he like cutting off communication or just trying to make me feel like he trusted me with his account? But I already knew
he did. He had for the last couple of years. I stretched out on my mattress completely perplexed. Maybe he was with someone. After all, it was a Friday night. Did it matter? Why was I worried about his text?

  Okay. Well, I don’t want you to be upset if everyone’s paired up and you’re not. You were very clear that you didn’t want to feel like a third wheel. I just don’t want to be to blame. That’s all.

  I let out a sigh after I sent the text and began to crawl off the bed. Surprisingly my phone buzzed.

  Curious?? Sudden interest in my dating life.

  Well, now he was just twisting my words and my intention.

  Not curious at all. Just wanted to make sure you had the opp to bring someone if you so choose. I have hung around your sister enough tonight to believe in happily ever afters and I wanted everyone to have one.

  He immediately replied back.

  How much whiskey and wine did you have tonight?

  The nerve! I have had absolutely none! I quickly typed my response.

  Zilch. Thank you very much. Shouldn’t you be out finding some hot chick? It’s a Friday night!

  His reply took only seconds.

  Again with the dating life… What am I to think?

  Oh, he was annoying! I wrote my response as I walked halfway down the hall to Brandy and Gabby.

  Think what you will. But I have my sights set on a completely unattainable guy because that’s how I roll. Have a great night.

  His response flashed on the screen.

  Oh, not to worry. I plan to.

  What the heck was that supposed to mean? I marched into the family room just as the doorbell rang.

  “See? There’s that glow again,” Brandy laughed, pointing at my face.

  “Whatever. Who wants some beer with their pizza?” I asked, opening the door. I almost didn’t recognize my regular pizza guy who was standing with the three boxes of pizza I’d ordered. He had buzzed his hair off. He was always cute, but this new hairdo threw me off. I wasn’t sure I liked it.

  “Having a party?” he asked, smiling.

  “Nope. Just me and my two best friends.” I handed him the cash and smiled. “These smell delicious. Thanks for bringing them over.”

  “That’s what we do,” he laughed. “Have a good night.”

  “You too.” I shut the door and heard Brandy and Gabby in the kitchen already grabbing the plates and beers for us all.

  “Get enough pizza?” Brandy laughed.

  “I figured we’d be able to snack on it all night,” I protested.

  “A pizza for each,” Gabby muttered. “There must be something more going on that you just haven’t told us.”

  “Like what?” I asked, placing a slice of each kind on my plate.

  “Whenever you’re confused over guy stuff, you tend to eat a lot of pizza and drink a lot of beer,” Brandy said, grabbing a couple slices of pepperoni.

  “Actually, she just eats a lot of anything. Does this Austin thing have you that wound up?” Gabby asked, following us back into the family room.

  “Possibly. I don’t know. A lot of stuff’s going on. I’m giving my notice on the 24th, after I finish a project for Better,” I began.

  “Wait. Ayden took his campaign to your firm? Didn’t you just normally moonlight for him?” Brandy asked.

  “Yeah. But I have to say this came at the perfect time. Remember the co-worker who I thought was beyond amazing?”

  They both nodded.

  “Well, he wasn’t just a co-worker. He was the son of the boss.”

  “Not again,” Brandy slapped her forehead.

  I ignored her and continued, “I finally said yes to him and last weekend we went out. Little did I know that he was holding a grudge this whole time because I kept turning him down. First of all,” I paused to take a sip of beer and a bite of pizza. “I never turn someone down who I’m interested in…so why did I do it this time? And then the one time I do play a little hard to get, it comes back to bite me in the ass. The only reason we went to dinner was for him to tell me that he wanted to fire me, but a potential client had specifically asked for me.”

  “That client was my brother?” Brandy asked.

  “Yep. Thank God. Needless to say, without your brother, I wouldn’t be getting any of the bonus money that’s owed to me because of their vesting schedule and all. Anyway, I owe him a lot. I had mentioned to him what happened,” I said, realizing I was saying too much.

  Gabby’s eyes narrowed as she began studying me.

  “The long and the short of it is that once I get my bonus money, I’m out of there. I’ve even been thinking about moving up to Seattle, maybe…”

  “Seriously?” Gabby had snapped out of her contemplative mood as excitement radiated from her.

  “So you don’t hate us?” Brandy laughed.

  “Not at all or maybe I’ll be moving to Utah soon. Who knows?” I teased.

  The room fell silent.

  “Kidding!”

  Brandy and Gabby started laughing as a new text rolled over my phone. It was from Ayden.

  Not sure this is the guy you really want to meet up with again.

  I scrolled past the message and saw a picture of a blonde guy somehow making out with two really cute females. At the same time. I couldn’t see the guy’s face, but I knew who it was.

  I texted Ayden back quickly, hoping Brandy or Gabby wouldn’t ask who I was messaging.

  So what? He’s single!

  I didn’t hear anything else from Ayden the rest of the night, or the rest of the weekend. And I was fine with that. Really fine with that.

  Chapter Six

  Today was the day—the 23rd of December, and the day before I was going to give my notice. I was completely exhausted, but I was also totally excited about the prospect of leaving. I was enthralled with the idea of the unknown. It seemed really appealing. Plus, the last week was pure torture. Rob appeared whenever and wherever he could, trying to complicate things, but Tori and I managed to pull through. Unfortunately, it was at the cost of completely missing the holiday season but whatever. I wasn’t really in the mood anyway.

  I glanced at the clock in my bedroom and sighed. The launch party was less than two hours away, and I still needed to get ready. My hair was wet from the shower, and my energy level was completely zapped, but I’d have to put on my bubbly persona and celebrate our accomplishments. My last accomplishment at the firm—weird!

  I hadn’t heard much from Ayden since my comment about Austin being single. We communicated some about the launch party and campaign, but that was about it. Our communication level was probably just back to where it was before he divulged his sister’s secret plan. But I did miss the deeper friendship that seemed to be taking off between us. I liked being able to tell him just about anything without judgment. And if I were to be completely honest, a knot had formed in my stomach, and it had been tightening each day that went by when he hadn’t sent a text.

  Lame, I know!

  I had no idea if it was because of the picture of Austin or the actual text from Ayden. Or maybe it was the combo. But something was definitely bothering me enough to make falling asleep at night impossible. I was usually one of those people who fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow but not lately.

  I looked in the bathroom mirror as I began blow-drying my hair straight. I’d definitely need to put extra concealer on underneath my eyes to ensure I didn’t look like the living dead or the undead living or whatever the hell it was.

  Once my hair was as good as I could get it and lying flat, I quickly applied my makeup and secured my hair back on the sides with barrettes. My phone buzzed, and I picked it up quickly to see a message from Brandy come across the screen.

  Can’t wait to see you tomorrow night. I’ve already started cooking for Christmas Eve! Have fun tonight and drink as much as you can on your almost ex-firm’s nickel. Good luck tomorrow!

  I chuckled and quickly sent a reply back. I was really looking forward to spending time wit
h Brandy and everyone for the holidays. My parents were in Paris for Christmas, and I didn’t feel like going to my sister’s in Chicago. Our family wasn’t that close. Well, actually my family was really close with each other, just not with me. I always felt like an outsider.

  I began looking through my stack of shrugs and shawls when my phone buzzed again. This one from Ayden.

  Look forward to seeing you tonight. Thanks for all of your hard work on this campaign.

  My heart did a flip and then a flop before I texted back.

  Thanks! I had fun working on it. Look forward to seeing you too. And thanks again for everything.

  I grabbed an ivory satin shrug and slipped into it before checking myself in the mirror one more time. All set! A car had been waiting for me downstairs, courtesy of my firm. I was going to miss my corporate credit card! Once I finished locking everything up for the evening, I hurried downstairs and into the cold night air.

  The driver opened the back door of the sedan for me and I slid onto the seat, adjusting my dress along the way. I had picked a cocktail dress that was a bit slinkier than usual, but it was the color I was going for. I wanted to match the blue theme of the party, and this one did that.

  “How are you this lovely evening?” the driver asked. “Off to an office holiday party?”

  Hey! That’s right. This firm didn’t even throw a holiday party! Definitely time to ditch the place.

  “Nope. Off to a work-related party. It’s for the launch of a new energy product. Should be fun,” I said, glancing out the window as we took off through the city.

  The trees lining the streets were wrapped in twinkling white lights, making the sidewalks look as if glitter had been sprayed everywhere. The holiday scenes in the window displays were so festive. Some windows had stacks of sparkling packages and snowflakes dangling, and other windows were more subdued, with only a hint of something dazzling edging the glass. After all, Portland was the hipster capital of the West, and nothing was meant to look like too much fun.