by Claire Angel
“Looks like you’re running away from the IRA. Going into witness protection are we?” I teased.
“A girl can never be too prepared,” she said. “Besides, I can’t stand it when strangers do my laundry. Nothing in here will be worn twice.”
“You are so weird, Gilly.” I laughed.
“But loveable, right?” She smiled.
“Totally,” Dan affirmed. “Two-hundred-pound baggage and all.”
“If you aren’t careful, I’ll leave one hundred and sixty pounds behind at the airport.”
“Wow, that was harsh! Dan, you better behave,” I said, watching as Dan and Gilly grinned at each other.
“What are Marco and Lola like?” Dan asked me.
“I’ve met Marco, but not Lola. I hear she has him on a short leash, but you know what single men are like. They think being to wipe up the toast crumbs is cruel and unusual punishment.”
“Nag, nag, nag.” Dan was in fine form.
We spent the rest of the trip to the airport talking about the trip, the skiing that Dan sucked at, the cabin, and of course the red wine we would consume in front of the fireplace. When we arrived at the airstrip, Aidan, Marco, and a petite, dark-haired beauty I assumed was Lola, were chatting and laughing in the hanger.
“Wow, she’s striking,” Dan said as he saw Lola.
“Careful, Dan,” Gilly said calmly, “there aren’t enough parachutes on board, and it’s a long way down.”
“Yikes, I’d toe the line if I were you, Dan. I’ve seen her mad. You don’t want that.”
Aidan came over to the car as we parked. He looked handsome and impeccably dressed, as always, his sandy blonde hair blowing in the breeze.
“Got any room for a snog teacher and two misfits?” I asked him as I stepped out of the car.
“The snog teacher definitely. The misfits may have to travel in the cheap seats,” he said as he shook Dan’s hand.
“You’re too kind, Sir. I’ll pour the champagne and serve the snacks,” Gilly said and curtsied.
“Come here you,” Aidan said and hugged Gilly warmly. “It’s been too long. I see you snagged yourself a butler”, he said as he winked at Dan.
“It was hard, but I finally found one who doesn’t charge extra for fringe benefits.”
“It’s important to hang on to the good ones,” Aidan said.
“Don’t I know it,” I sneered.
“Come on, Dan, let’s get these beautiful ladies on the plane. I hired some assistants so you don’t have to clean up after your mistress.”
“You’re a solid guy, Aidan.”
“Hi! Good to see you again, dance partner.” Marco came across to me and gave me a warm hug.
“Good to see you again, Marco. This is Gilly and Dan.”
“Good to meet you, guys. This is my beautiful warden, Lola.”
“Hi, all. If you’re all friends of Aidan, then I like you already,” Lola said with a bright smile.
She was nothing like I expected. She looked like a little fairy, and her voice was soft and sweet. I was expecting a tall, Amazon woman, with hard eyes, and harder biceps.
“Hi, Lola. It’s a pleasure,” I said. “I was a little nervous about meeting you. The boys scared me with their tales.”
Lola laughed hysterically. “Guys! I told you to cut that out.”
Aidan and Marco chuckled like two naughty teenagers and Lola play-punched Marco on the arm.
“See,” he said, “I told you! Vicious.”
“Right, let’s kick this holiday into gear,” Aidan said. “Everyone, to the jet.”
When we climbed aboard, two tall, striking flight attendants welcomed us with a glass of champagne. On the table to the left of the entrance stood a table filled with strawberries, various pastries, artisan bread, and other savory snacks.
We all settled in and relaxed as the twoand-a-half-hour flight began. The jet sliced seamlessly through the air like a hot knife through butter, leaving us with nothing to do but chill and get to know each other a little better.
“How long have you and Marco been married, Lola?” I asked.
“Two years. It’s taken me a while, but I think I almost have him house trained now.”
“Sounds like you found the recipe for success,” Gilly said.
“I burn the muffin of matrimony every so often, but for the most part, it’s a blast. Marco is a honey when you get past the nutty exterior.”
“My ears are burning,” Marco said as he came closer. “Are you girls talking about me?”
“Don’t be a narcissist, you. We do have other things to talk about, you know.”
“She says that now, but she adores me,” Marco said with a smirk. “Can’t talk about me enough.”
“Where’s Joey?” Dan asked.
“On a business trip. He’ll meet us at the cabin a few days after we get there.”
“Is he coming alone? Not that it really matters. I’m sure he’ll whisk a local off her feet.” Marco laughed.
“True story. Actually, he is bringing someone. He didn’t tell me who. Said it was a surprise,” Aidan said.
“A surprise? Wow. Let’s hope it’s a good surprise. He’s had a few dodgy dates.”
“You’re not wrong, Marco. Let’s hold thumbs. Anyway, all is not lost. The cabin is big, and the snow is perfect for skiing, so if Joey’s lady gets a little much, we’ll hit the slopes.”
Aidan was very chilled about it all. Joey was his best friend, and I suspected nothing would ever change that. They were a riot when they were together. I hoped Aspen was ready for Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I was more than happy to have Aidan’s focus on his mad friends. That way I could hide in the narrative.
The captain asked us to take our seats for the descent. It was hard to believe that it had been almost three hours since we boarded the jet. Good company was a pill.
“How long until we get to the cabin?” I asked Aidan when we landed.
“About twenty minutes. You okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m not a fan of sitting in one place for too long. I want to get my snow boots on and go for a long walk.”
“Sounds good.”
“Wanna join me?” I asked him.
“Excellent idea. There’s a quaint little pub around the corner from the cabin. We can have a drink before we take on the crowd at home.”
“Solid plan. I’m with you. Hope the others don’t think we’re rude.”
“Who cares? I’m the boss of the cabin.” He laughed.
Chapter 14
AIDAN
I was happy to be at the cabin, especially since Jayde was with us. Aspen was always beautiful—a fairy tale kingdom with a white blanket of snow. The SUVs were waiting for us when we disembarked. Traveling across the snow in a stretch limo wasn't on my bucket list.
Gilly, Dan, and Jayde traveled in one SUV, while Marco, Lola, and I took the other. Marco had that look on his face. The ‘come on, spill it’ stare.
“Stop that,” I said.
“What?”
“You know what.”
“Just curious. Any more kisses I should know about?”
“Kisses?” Lola asked.
“Our confirmed bachelor here shared a very impressive kiss with Jayde the last time I saw him.”
“Oh, really? She’s gorgeous, Aidan. When are you planning on making your move, handsome?” Lola locked in on me and I had nowhere to hide.
“We’re just friends,” I started, but Marco interrupted me.
“Oh, horse shit. You’re head over heels for this woman, bud. I think it’s time you cut the crap and boink her.”
“So eloquently put, my love,” Lola said as she looked at a smirking Marco.
“She recently came out of a bad breakup. I don’t want to be the rebound chump.”
“Someone will take a crack at her. She’s not the kind to go through life destined for cat adoption and spinsterhood.”
“Thanks for pointing that out, Marco. When did you become so insightf
ul?”
“He’d be a complete dunce if it wasn’t for me,” Lola chirped.
“I recognize that longing look when I see it,” Marco said, “It’s a guy thing. I know, because that’s how I felt about you, my sexy girl.”
“Ahhh, what a smooth talker you are. You might even get lucky tonight with that kind of talk.” Lola kissed him, and I smiled as my tough-as-nails friend melted in the arms of his petite wife.
“Oh my goodness,” Lola said as we drove up to the cabin. “When you said cabin, I didn’t picture a log village.”
“It’s pretty impressive, bro. Any logs left in Oregon, or did you use them all?”
“It’s fantastic, isn’t it?” I asked.
It was, and I wasn’t going to be all ‘gosh, it’s just a little spot in the snow’ dipshit about it. What was the point of having so much and not sharing it with the people you loved? I never made excuses for my pleasures. I was a sharer, not a hoarder.
The porters met us outside and collected our luggage. Jayde and her party pulled in behind us. She smiled brightly when she got out and looked up at the cabin. I knew she’d look good in it. Hell, she’d look great in a shoebox.
“Nice,” she said.
“Why, thank you.”
“Does the whole village live here, or just you?”
“Oh, don’t you start.” I grinned.
“Show me to my room, Mr. Moneybags. I want to change into my snow boots and follow my gracious host to the promised pub.”
“Right this way. I’ve built up a thirst too.”
The others chatted happily, as they decided which of the rooms they preferred. I took Jayde to the one I thought she’d like the best.
“It’s beautiful, Aidan. Full marks to your decorator.”
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll see you downstairs in a bit. Let’s go for that walk.”
“Great.”
By the sounds of it, the two couples downstairs were having a ball. They were laughing and talking non-stop, Marco making the loudest noises, of course. I went to my bedroom and changed into my walking gear, working on my ‘I adore you, please marry me’ speech. Except those weren’t the appropriate words passed from one friend to another. I could simply shut up completely and ravage her in the snow behind the pub. That was too creepy.
Keep going dumbass, you’ll get there eventually.
I stalled and stayed in my room as long as possible. Mostly because I didn’t feel like answering questions as to why Jayde and I were disappearing into the wild white yonder. I heard Jayde’s voice on the staircase, then made my cunning descent.
“Hey, guys!” Lola said when she saw Jayde and me all dressed up and ready to traverse the icy countryside. “What are you two up to?”
“I need to go for a long walk or I’ll lose my shit,” Jayde answered.
“Yeah, she’s got ants in her pants most of the time, can’t sit still for very long,” Gilly said.
“And where do you think you’re going, mine host?” Marco asked me.
“How can I allow such a fine woman to wander the snow peaks alone?”
“Good man!” Dan said. “There you go, ladies. Chivalry in the flesh.”
“I think they’re desperate to get away from you mad bunch for a few minutes.” Lola laughed.
“Okay, you guys do a recce of the perimeter, the rest of us will make sure the fire is lit and the wine is breathing.” Gilly smirked. “Please don’t bring home a fawn for the barbeque. I’m taking a break from deer for a few months.”
“You behave, we’ll be back a little later. Please tell the chef what you’d like for dinner. I’ll be happy with whatever,” I said. “You okay with that, Jayde?”
“Yup, as long as it’s hot and hearty, I’m in.”
“See you later,” Jayde called and out the door she went.
I followed her, and soon we were ankle-deep in snow, our warm breaths forming smoky twirls in the cold air as we spoke. Jayde’s cheeks were bright pink, and the tip of her nose was red from the cold. I wanted so badly to hold her until she was warm, but my hardon was as unpredictable as the stock market, even in the freezing cold weather, so I put that thought on ice.
“It’s so beautiful here. How often do you visit?” Jayde asked as she rubbed her hands together.
“Not often enough,” I answered.
“Have your parents been?”
“They have, but the cold isn’t good for Dad’s hip. He had a replacement not so long ago, so he hates the cold. Mom loves it. What could be better than a roaring fire and a snow-capped mountain, she said.”
“They sound like lovely people. You always talk about them with such fondness.”
“You never talk about yours,” I said, and watched as her expression changed from relaxed to pensive.
“There isn’t much to say, I guess,” she said, matter of factly.
“Want to talk about it?” I asked, trying not to sound like a nosy jerk.
“I don’t like talking about them. They’re nothing like yours.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Jayde.”
“I must sound like a bitch, but I have my reasons.”
“You don’t sound like a bitch at all. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
“Thanks, Aidan.”
After walking for about twenty minutes, I spotted the smoke billowing from the pub’s chimney. Jayde saw it too and pointed to it.
“I could murder a brandy right about now,” she said, shaking like a leaf.
“Then brandy you will have, Your Ladyship.”
I opened the door for her. We went straight for the fireplace, where we warmed our hands, then caught the attention of the waitress.
“Warm brandy, please,” I ordered.
She smiled and went over to the bar.
“Have you defrosted yet?” I asked Jayde.
“I’m getting there. I hope you have your built-in Garmin charged. I think I may need help getting back to the cabin after the brandy.”
“I’m sure they’ll send out a search party for us. They’ll want our help once Joey gets here.”
She laughed heartily. The waitress brought our brandy, and we moved to a bench near the wall. The view outside was spectacular.
“You can see the whole town from up here,” she said.
“Yeah. I told you this place was special. Next time we’ll go to Switzerland. You’ll love it.”
“Next time?” She smiled. “Sounds like you’re planning a world tour.”
“I might be. Play your cards right and I’ll show you the wonderful world of beach bumming and snow chasing.”
“Now that’s my idea of a holiday.” She smiled.
“Great. I need a new travel buddy, Joey snores and talks in his sleep.”
“Stop sharing a bed with him, then,” Jayde said with a twinkle in her eye.
“Funny girl. Let’s see how funny you are when I pelt you with a snowball later.”
“Nah, you’re too much of a gentleman for that.”
“Boy, have you read me all wrong?”
Jayde smiled and took a decent gulp of her brandy. She was so beautiful. Her dark hair was such a contrast to the white landscape, and her green eyes looked like shimmering emeralds. I didn’t feel much like pretending anymore. I would stick my toe in the ocean and see where it took me.
“You’re deep in thought,” she commented, as I stared out of the window. “What’s up?”
“This and that,” I said, “but mostly I was thinking about that kiss you laid on me in Vegas.”
Her cheeks flushed, and I was sure I saw her flinch a little.
“Oh, that.”
“Tell me again why you did that.”
“I told you, you gullible fool. That Kayla was bad news. She had the look of an unplanned pregnancy about her.”
“Wow! That’s specific. Did your ‘womanly radar’ tell you that?”
“Don’t mock what you don’t understand, Martian. I too, am from Venus, where we take no pris
oners when we want a mate.”
“And what is it you want? Or more to the point, who is it you want?”
She seemed surprised by my candor. It wasn’t as if we’d discussed the topic before, and I caught her off guard by the looks of it. I was tiptoeing on thin ice, I knew that, but I was done holding my breath. This was my time to find out whether to pursue the beautiful Jayde or call it a day.
Chapter 15
JAYDE
I didn’t understand what was happening. Was Aidan flirting with me, or did he genuinely want to know about my love life? Love life! That was a sad joke. The truth was I enjoyed our kiss much more than I’d admitted to myself. Was he testing me? Teasing me? Surely he wouldn’t play with me that way. Not after seeing me at my worst at Kyle’s betrayal. Was I wrong about him?
There’d been a shift in our relationship since Vegas. It was subtle, but noticeable nonetheless. He looked at me differently. I thought at first I was imagining it, but sitting across from him in the bar, I recognized it.
“What did you think about our kiss?” I asked, throwing caution to the wind.
“I thought it was hot. It’s not every day a guy gets to kiss a beautiful woman like you.”
“Good answer. What does it mean?” I asked.
“I think it means we should try it again. Just in case the first kiss was a fluke. We owe it to ourselves to make sure that it wasn’t the Ethiopian food talking, all that eating with our hands, and such.”
“You do make a compelling point. But how will we know it isn’t the brandy?”
“The snow outside will scare the brandy right out of us. By the time we get to that line of trees over there, we’ll know for sure.”
“Waitress, check please!” I called, and Aidan raised an eyebrow, whipped out his wallet, and handed her a large bill.
“Keep the change,” he smiled at her, “excellent brandy.”
The tree line seemed to move to meet us. Going home from a strange place always felt quicker than the journey there—or was that merely a truth for kids? Be that as it may, before I could work up a sweat, Aidan stopped and turned to me. He smiled at me and looked deep into my eyes. I trembled. Was it the cold or his naked fingers wiping a stray lock of hair from my cheek? Time slowed down to a crawl as we stood there, facing each other, no words passing between us.