by Claire Adams
I looked around and nodded. "Where is your mother?"
"She died eight years ago." She lifted her free hand up to wipe at her face. "It's been different since then. Everything has."
I wanted to pull her in my arms and promise her the world so damn bad, but she didn't want that. Hell, she barely wanted the friendship I offered so freely.
"I understand that completely." I smiled. "I need to go, but let me take you around town tomorrow. Nothing but good times and great treats. I know some killer dessert shops."
"You don't have to work?"
"I'll be calling in sick if you're free." I smiled wickedly.
"I think I can swing it, but no telling anyone that it was my fault." She got up and walked back to the laundry room, coming back out with my clothes folded.
I finished the drink and took them from her. "Thanks for this. I can't tell you how much better I feel. I was a dick last night and have been hating myself since. So, forgive me."
"Already done." She smiled and nodded to the back of the house. "You can change back there."
"I'm good, unless your dad will miss his favorite pants." I glanced down at them and laughed as she did, too.
"No. Keep them, but get your shoes on. You'll freeze out there."
"Yes, ma'am." I worked to get my boots on and pulled my coat over my shoulders before opening the door and turning to tell her goodbye. Her nearness surprised me.
"Promise me that we can be friends and nothing more." Her gaze moved down toward my mouth. She wanted a kiss as bad as I did. Well, so I hoped.
"I'll try my best, Chloe." I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'm only a man, though. Remember that."
"It's hard to forget." She moved back and smiled. "Get out of here before I make a bad decision."
"Sounds like I might be a bad influence on you."
"Or me on you." She winked and closed the door behind me, leaving my heart pounding in my chest and body completely on fire for her.
Friends...right.
Chapter Thirteen
Chloe
Getting a chance to talk to Finn and clear the air left me with a new perspective on things. I set my alarm and woke up early the next morning, wanting to get a fresh start on the week and hoping to figure out a way to impress my father beyond what he thought me capable of. He wanted a new jacket that was incredibly functional. I wanted something cute and modern that left women feeling attractive. Why not combine the two? I was buzzing with ideas as I danced toward the kitchen, singing my favorite Adele song off-tune.
"What are you doing up so early?" My father glanced up from the kitchen table. He was dressed in a black suit and a blue button down shirt.
"Just decided to gain new perspective on all of these changes in my life. It feels good. I want to get the day started." I shrugged and stopped behind him to brush a string from his back. "I'm making me an omelet. You want something?"
"I'd love two eggs over easy, but I usually have to get up early enough to stop by Jerry's to get them. I never did get your mother to teach me how she made them." He smiled, and my heart broke over his loss. He still wasn't over her. Jessie was right about his angst most likely being tied to losing her. Where Parker and I had another life ahead of us, my dad was still trying to push past the one he'd expected to last forever.
"Well, she taught me, so I'll make you some. Ham or bacon for you?" I moved to the fridge and started to pull the various items out that we would need.
"Whatever is easiest." He went back to his paper as I cut up items for my omelet. I figured I'd make one for Parker seeing that he would eat anything I put in front of him.
"So, why did you and Parker decide to stay here for the full semester? His idea or yours?" I poured me a cup of coffee and checked my phone, realizing that I hadn't given Finn my number.
Damn. Wait...the invoice.
"He likes it here, and I really didn't mind working remotely to let him try it out. He's been taking snowboarding lessons, but I don't like the guy he's been training with. He's just not as good as Parker needs him to be. The pupil has already become the master."
"Really? I met a guy the other day that supposedly has insane snowboarding skills. I could ask him to help Parker in his spare time." I shrugged as my Dad glanced up from his paper.
"That would be great. Let me know his fee, and I'll want to meet him." He pulled out his phone and turned from me, which gave me a minute to snoop around the house for the invoice as the oven heated.
I had no luck, and the smell of butter burning on the stove had me jogging back to my place in the kitchen.
My father stood and walked to the coffee pot as he ended his call. "That was one of my clients. I might have to fly to Texas tomorrow night, and Parker has a sleepover with some friends. Are you going to be okay alone here?"
"Of course. I'm a grown-ass woman, remember?"
He gave me a smirk and stole a pinch of the shredded cheese from the pile I'd grated. I lightly slapped his hand away, and he chuckled.
"You're so much like your mother." He lifted his mug to his lips and got a faraway look in his eye.
"You still miss her, Dad?"
He looked at me and smiled sadly. "So much. I never imagined a day in my life would be without her. I feel like she took my warmth with her."
Tears filled my eyes, and I turned back to the stove, not responding so that he wouldn't hear how deeply I hurt for him. He wouldn't appreciate it.
"I'm going to wake your lazy-ass brother up. I want him to see about getting a job in town. He needs to learn responsibility." As he walked down the hall, I pulled a paper-towel from the roll, dabbing at my eyes and promising myself that no matter what, I was going to work on my relationship with my dad. It would take every bit of patience I possibly had, but my mother would have wanted us closer, and here I was helping to fuel the fire that forced us apart.
I finished my father's breakfast and handed him the plate as he walked back into the kitchen.
"Two eggs over easy and bacon. Toast should pop up any minute." I walked to the table and pushed his papers around. "Dad. Where is the invoice from the snow shoveling company?"
"It's in the den on my desk. I'll pay it today, but I'm going to call Clark and give him a piece of my mind."
"Who's Clark?" I glanced up as my brother walked up, his eyes wide as if warning me to tread lightly.
"He's the bastard that owns the company."
Finn's dad. Not good.
"Why is he a bastard?" I flipped Parker's omelet onto a plate and sprinkled it with cheese before handling it to him and ruffling his hair.
He moved to the refrigerator and brought out a jug of orange juice, drinking straight from it.
"Parker. Son, that's disgusting. Just mark that one as yours and don't do it again." My dad grimaced at my brother before turning his attention back to me. "He and I have had issues in the past."
"Why are you upset this time? The driveway looks great, and the poor guy that did it had to have frozen his butt off."
"That poor guy was his son. He knows that I don't want that boy over here." He glanced up and pinned me with a hard stare. "He sleeps around, is going nowhere in life, and looks like the angel that he's not. I don't like him or his father."
"Dad..." I moved to sit down at the table as Parker joined us and snorted.
"Don't even try, sis. I wanted to take snowboard lessons from Finn, and Dad had a fit. He's not going to let you reason with him."
"Is that the friend that you wanted to talk to me about lessons for Parker with?" My dad lifted his eyebrow sharply.
"What? No. I don't even know this guy. All I was going to say is that everyone has a story. I'm not the same person I was before Mom died. Part of my pain and anger bleeds into how I act, but if you didn't know that I lost my mom, you would judge me unfairly."
"I'm not interested in talking about this. I don't want the boy over here. Period. Clark knows that. He probably realized you were home and sent the boy over to steal your
heart. He's a vicious bastard like that." He shrugged and went back to his paper.
I turned to Parker and mouthed, 'What the fuck?’
He snorted and laughed as Dad glanced up and looked between us. "What?"
"Nothing, but there is a story there. Inquiring minds want to know what."
"None of your business," my father barked. "Don't forget to clean up the kitchen when you're done."
"I always do, Dad." I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to my brother as I got up and walking back into the kitchen to finally make my breakfast. "What's your plan today?"
"I'm in a gamer contest." He smiled and wagged his eyebrows. "Wanna take the reins and win a few rounds of Resident Evil for me?"
"Your sister doesn't play video games. She's an adult." My father never looked up from his paper.
Chuckling, I turned back to the stove. "I can't today, buddy. I'm doing some research for this new investor with deep pockets and a stiff personality. I gotta win him over."
I glanced over my shoulder as my father's lip lifted in a subtle smirk, but he tried to hide it.
"How about tomorrow we do something?" Parker finished his breakfast and brought the plate in the kitchen.
"I thought Dad said you had a sleepover tomorrow." I took his plate and wiped it off, willing to use it for my breakfast, too. Less to clean.
"I do, but we can spend the day together." He squeezed my shoulders from behind. "I'll teach you to snowboard."
"Yeah. Okay. I'd like that," I agreed. I pulled from him and worked to finish my breakfast. My father kissed the top of my head before leaving, which was a surprise. The last time we'd hugged or kissed had been the day I left for college five years ago.
* * * *
I pulled up the address for Warner Removal Services and plugged it in my GPS before changing into a pair of jeans, a cute sweater, and knee-high boots. I fixed my hair and put on a little bit of lip gloss. We were just going to be friends, so I needed to look nice, but not hot.
I checked my appearance one more time before letting out an angry growl and leaving the house. I would always find a million things wrong with me. It seemed to be one of the criteria for being a woman in her early twenties.
I made it to Finn's father's shop within twenty minutes and then sat in the parking lot, trying to decide how to go about getting his number. Maybe one of the other guys that worked with him would just give it to me. I didn't think talking to his dad was a good idea seeing that my dad and him had some bad blood between them.
It was already ten, and the day was moving by quickly. If Finn had asked off to spend it with me, like he said he was going to, I wanted to get it started.
Getting out of the SUV, I pulled my scarf tighter and walked up to the large hanger doors that were open. No one was standing outside, so I walked in and looked around. The building was like a mechanic's shop, various machines and plows all over the place. I wasn't sure where to go and was quickly losing my nerve.
"Hello?" I called out and slid my hands into my pockets.
A stocky older man with a buzz-cut and piercing blue eyes walked out from the back. His flannel shirt and jeans fit him well. He was attractive by anyone’s standards.
"Morning, ma'am. How can I help you?"
As he moved closer, I realized from the resemblance that he was Finn's dad. How could he and my father have so much in common and yet hate each other? Both of their wives were deceased, they both loved Aspen, and both owned their own companies. Seemed like they would be the best of friends.
Odd.
I extended my hand and smiled. "I'm Chloe. I'm looking for Finn. I assume he works here."
The man smiled warmly and took my hand. "I'm Clark, his father. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine." I glanced around and turned back to Clark. "He promised me he would call in sick and spend the day showing me the town, but don't tell his boss."
He chuckled and released my hand. "Did he now?"
"He did, but there's a problem with his promise." I lifted an eyebrow, liking the guy in front of me already.
"There usually is with that boy."
"He didn't get my number, and I don't have his." I shrugged.
"Well, come on in here and let's call him together. We'll have him stop by and surprise him. What do you think?" He nodded and walked back toward the open door at the back of the warehouse.
Pulling one over on Finn was far better than just getting his number. I followed him and forced down the giggle that burned inside my chest.
"Were you part of the clubbing party Saturday night?" Clark glanced over his shoulder at me.
"I was, but I took Brian home and then went home myself. I think Finn was a little put off with us leaving him with all the drunks, but he took care of them. I was impressed. I'd have left them there." I took a seat as he motioned for me to inside a cramped office filled with papers and parts.
"He's a good boy, just needs a good woman to get his ass on track."
I smirked and turned my attention to the small picture sitting on Clark's desk as he put the call to Finn on speaker phone.
"Can I?" I asked, reaching for the picture.
"Of course. That's my Sara. She passed ten years ago. Best woman in the world." His eyes grew misty as I looked up, and sadness rolled over me for his loss.
The picture was at Christmas. Sara, Clark, and a teenage Finn were all dressed up to go skiing. The smiles on their faces were warm and full of love. Tears burned my eyes, and I set the picture down, trying to not let them fall, but it didn't work.
Clark hung up the phone and shook his head.
"He's not up." He looked over at me as his eyes widened. "Oh, honey. You don't need to cry."
I took the Kleenex he handed me and dabbed my eyes. "I lost my mom eight years ago. Finn and I talked about it a little the other day, but he seemed so closed off to it."
Clark crossed his hands over his stomach and nodded. "I guess you have to be when part of your world dissipates."
"Yes, sir. I think me, my brother, and my daddy are too."
"What did you say your last name was, sweetie?" He stood as the sound of Finn's voice shocked both of us.
I flinched, not wanting to give it up and yet not willing to lie. "It's Burke."
His eyes widened a little, and his expression changed, but I could see him forcing himself not to respond.
"Dad? Where are you? Shit. I need access to a cl-" Finn stopped in his tracks as I looked over my shoulder at him.
"Nope. You don't. All client files are confidential." I stood and laughed as the two men around me did, as well.
"She's right boy, and she gave you up on calling in. You're lucky I like her." Clark pressed his hands to the desk and looked up at me. "Have fun. Be good to my boy."
"Yes, sir." I smiled and moved toward Finn, taking the hand he offered me.
I didn't know what happened between our dads, but maybe Finn did. One thing was for sure: I was determined to find out.
Chapter Fourteen
Finn
Finding Chloe in my father's office almost caused my heart to stop, and yet something was so right about her being there. I watched the way my old man interacted with her, and my heart melted. Never in my life had I been in love. To think I was with Chloe was ridiculous, and yet I wanted her to stay in Aspen. She would fit into my life and I into hers. I needed to get to know her better before really coming to that conclusion, but something deep inside of me told me that it was already a given.
I winked at my dad and walked out with the pretty blonde, my hand tightly wrapped around hers. I shook my head at her when she tried to tug out of my grasp.
"Heck, no. You trip on nothingness. There are tools and wires everywhere in here. You should come with your own warning sign." I smiled and ducked as her other hand swung at my chest.
"Hey. Maybe I meant to trip to see if any hot guys would step in and save me," she said as her cheeks colored. I opened the door to the truck on h
er side. We could get her SUV later. I wanted to spend as much time in her presence as she would allow.
"Nobody accidentally trips as much as you." I smiled and helped her into the car. "You want to get a cup of coffee at the shop by the slopes?"
"Yeah, but I don't want to ski today. Kills my legs, and I promised my little brother I would take him out tomorrow. He's going to teach me to snowboard."
I narrowed my eyes playfully and shut the door on her side before jogging over to my side and getting in.
"What was the look for?" She turned on the heater after I started the truck.
"I want to teach you to snowboard." I tugged off my hat and breathed warm air against my hands.
"Come with us. He's supposedly good at it, but I know he's looking to get better."
"I have to work tomorrow, but if you guys can wait until I get off, I'm all for it." I pulled out of the parking lot and glanced back to see my father and Milly standing in the open door, his arm around her shoulders as they watched us leave.
I prayed something would become of them. The old man needed a woman as bad as I did.
"We'll wait for you." She leaned in and pressed her hands to the heaters. "My brother is going to a sleepover tomorrow night, and my father's going out of town. You want to maybe snowboard with us and then come over? I'll make dinner, and we can watch a movie or something."
Damn, things were changing fast.
I glanced over at her as my heart swelled in my chest. She was a vision of beauty and so much more than I deserved to be around, even as just a friend.
"I'd love to, but that sure sounds like a date. Friends don't date." I chuckled at the look she gave me.
"I said snowboarding, dinner, and a movie, not skinny dipping and an all-night fuck-fest."
I growled low in my chest as my body woke up and lust rolled through me. "Watch it."
"What?" She gave me an innocent look, and I thought to threaten her with a spanking, but kept it to myself. Just the vision of spanking her caused my mind to wander down one dark alley after another. By the time we arrived at the coffee shop, I was having trouble breathing.