Regardless, I needed to shake any attraction I had for Harrison off and quickly. He was marrying Will. Period.
Suddenly, I realized I’d been staring at Jasper as he worked, while thinking about Harrison. Feeling a little bit like a creep, I gave Jasper and his customer their space and focused on the books piled on the counter.
That was a mistake. There were about twenty copies of the same book. Lavender Love. I glanced down at the floor. Five more boxes waited to be unpacked. I was willing to bet they were all the same. With the wedding coming up in a few weeks, and the fans of the show making pilgrimages to Lavender Shores, the book would be selling like gangbusters.
Despite myself, I couldn’t keep from tracing the lettering of the title. Lavender Love. Written by Lamont Price, photographed by Tyler Dixon. The cover photo was of two stunning men—Andrew and Joel—and their three dogs. If Lamont and Tyler had waited a few more months to publish, Andrew and Joel’s daughter, Sandy, could have been in the photo.
Maybe this book was to blame for what was happening to me. I didn’t used to be such a mess. I saw a man; I took him. Got it out of my system. If the man wasn’t available, I moved on to the next. Nothing to get hung up about. But the images in that book, even though there were countless gorgeous men, didn’t show that particular type of… love. It was one of the most beautiful coffee-table books I’d ever seen, and one of the biggest. Every page documented a different love story of the people who lived in Lavender Shores. And it made me long for things I’d never wanted before. Everyone was finding love—like, the actual love, not the one-night-only kind of gig.
Talk about rubbing it in your face. If I didn’t love Lamont and Tyler so much, I’d hate the fuckers. Andrew and Joel, too. Of course, if that was going to be my standard, I’d end up despising nearly every person in town.
Aware I shouldn’t, but also aware I’d be unable to resist the urge, I slid my drink away, so I wouldn’t accidentally spill it on the book. Or accidentally on purpose, whichever. I flipped through it, my thumb knowing by memory where to go. To the part that showed the other side of love. Showed the reason a person should stay away from it with every ounce of power they had.
With only two extra page flicks, I came to the double spread. On the left was a portrait of my sister, Amelia, her wife, Bethany, their two kids, and their three cats. On the right was my twin. Andre and I were so identical that, at a glance, even I could be fooled by the photo. But not in this case. He sat on an overstuffed couch, a beaming smile on his face, his arm draped over Meghan’s shoulder, their daughter Katniss wedged between them. She was around five when the photo was taken; she’d changed a lot in the two years since—mostly the look in her eyes. The same could be said for Andre.
One more puzzle piece to blame for why I’d attempted things with Jasper in the first place.
Dear Lord, I was horrible thinking such thoughts. As if my relationship issues with Jasper were a comparable problem.
I jumped as an arm slid over my back and Jasper appeared beside me, leaning in to give me a quick, firm kiss on the cheek before pulling back slightly. “I’m sorry. If I had known you were dropping by, I would’ve put these away.”
I hadn’t noticed the customer leave. “No reason to. I don’t have to look.” That was a lie. I still couldn’t bring myself to close the book, not even to turn toward Jasper. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Andre’s dead wife. Meghan had been gone almost six months, but it felt like decades and like it had happened that very morning.
Jasper made little circles over my back and was silent for a minute or so, then pointed toward the register, his arm blocking my view of the photo, probably intentionally. “For me?”
His distraction worked, and I reached out to grab the cup as he silently closed the book and slid it away.
“Yep. Pete said to remind you that hot chocolate with caramel sauce is a drink for five-year-olds.”
“Good old Pete. Love that man. Couldn’t ask for a better business to have next door. It’s every bookseller’s dream to be next to a coffee shop.” Jasper chuckled. “But I can’t help it that I don’t like coffee. It’s not my fault the rest of the world can’t seem to discern that it tastes like cigarette ashes.” He tilted his head as he studied my cup. “Decaf?”
Maybe I hadn’t found love love with Jasper, but I’d found a dear friend. My heart warmed at the easy familiarity. “You know me well. I fucked up. I’m going to be awake all night.”
Jasper squinted, considering. “Probably a good thing. Aren’t you taking care of Katniss while your brother has his appointment with Donovan?”
“Like I’ll need caffeine to keep up with Katniss. She hardly embodies her namesake anymore.” Typically, when Andre had therapy, Katniss stayed with Amelia or our parents. But Amelia’s wife was giving some lecture at her college in San Francisco that the rest of the family was attending. “I think she’ll want to watch some cartoon; you can join if you want.”
“Sure, sounds fun. Too bad she’s not old enough to watch her namesake in the Hunger Games.” Jasper winked. “After Andre picks her up, since you’re going to be awake anyway, we could watch the trilogy.”
I shuddered. “Kids aren’t my favorite thing in the world, but I don’t really need to see them killing each other.”
Jasper rolled his eyes. “You keep saying you don’t like kids. You’re amazing with your nieces and nephew.”
He’d told me on our solitary date how he desperately wanted children.
Maybe that was to blame for the less than stellar kiss.
Knowing my view on parenthood, Jasper changed the subject right on cue. “So what brings the caramel mocha surprise?”
I pointed across the store, like he had X-ray vision to see two shops down. “Micah and I are meeting at Lavender Realty in a little while to close on the land. Regina has the paperwork ready. The signing starts in about fifteen minutes, so I thought I’d drop by since I had a few minutes to kill.”
“Oh, crap! I forgot. I’m sorry. I was going to get you chocolates or something to celebrate.” Jasper’s shoulders slumped as if he’d failed somehow. Then he brightened. “Well, I’ll just get some while you and Micah are signing.”
“You don’t need to do that. It’s not like we’re buying a house. We’re just adding on to the farm.” Jasper really was the sweetest.
“Still it’s not every day that you get to expand your dream. Chocolates are the least—”
The bell chimed again, cutting off Jasper’s words, and we both looked toward the door.
“Now that’s nice to see. The two of you are adorable together.” Harrison flashed his model-perfect smile. “If Will and I aren’t careful, you’ll draw all the attention of the cameras on our wedding day if you guys go around like that.”
Harrison was always making comments about Jasper and me giving it another try.
“Oh, good grief, shut up.” Despite the words, as always, Jasper lit up at the sight of Harrison. I imagined with most siblings there would be a lot of jealousy and competition, with one of them being a football star, model, and all the other things Harrison Getty was. But if there was ever a case of hero worship, the way Jasper felt about his older brother was the textbook definition. “What a great afternoon. Two surprise visits from my two favorite people.” He broke our embrace and stepped away. “Adrian brought me hot chocolate. Are you here to one-up him? Maybe with ice cream?”
Harrison offered up his empty hands and made a longing groan. “You have no idea how much I wish that were the case. Dessert is firmly off-limits in our house right now.” He patted his flat stomach, the one I knew from pictures was washboard ready. “Gotta fit in the tux.”
“Oh please, like you and Will couldn’t step in front of the camera at this very moment and be just fine.” Jasper looked my way, giving an appraising glance. “The same for you. I’m the only one with any real prep work. I’ll need to spend a few sessions in a tanning bed, otherwise I’ll be as white as the missing bride’s
gown.”
Harrison chuckled as he shook his head. “Need I remind you of our vacation to Cancun? I don’t really think that’s how you want to look for my wedding.”
Jasper shuddered. “Good point.”
I glanced between them, trying to soak up the pleasant energy that came so naturally to them. “Why? What happened in Cancun?”
“A pre-tanning trip so he wouldn’t burn when we got to Mexico.” Harrison slid his phone out of his pocket. “It didn’t work out so well. Every photo we have of that trip, Jasper looks like a tomato. I’m pretty sure I have documentation on Facebook.”
“Don’t you dare!” Jasper leaned forward and snatched the phone out of Harrison’s hand. He tucked it in his back pocket, even as he laughed. “Moving on… if you’re not here to bring me desserts, what’s up?”
“Will is out of town for a couple of days. Some big convention for investors.” Harrison made a distasteful face. “Something about money. I’m sure he explained it, but….” He shrugged. “I always feel lonely when he’s gone. I thought maybe we could do a brother night.” His gaze flicked to me. “You’re welcome to join too, of course.”
“Absolutely, I’d love to. We can—” Jasper stopped midthought, glancing my way with a grimace. “I forgot. I can’t. Adrian and I are hanging out with Katniss tonight.” He shot me a questioning look as he spoke to Harrison. “But I’m sure it would be okay if you wanted to join.”
Before Harrison could accept or decline, I jumped in. “Actually, Jasper, why don’t you hang out with Harrison?” I couldn’t handle another night sitting close to Harrison Getty and thinking things I most definitely shouldn’t, even if his fiancé wasn’t present. “Katniss and I will be fine on our own. And it will be one of the last nights Harrison has as a single man. You two should go get crazy or something.”
Jasper’s brows knitted. “Crazy? In Lavender Shores?”
Valid point. “Go to the city. Hit up a couple of strip bars in San Fran. Make it a pre-bachelor party bachelor party.”
They both grimaced, but it was Harrison who responded. “I love my brother more than life, but I’m not sitting next to him at a strip club. And Will would skin me alive when he got home.”
The chime over the door sounded again as a family of three entered the bookshop.
Jasper flashed Harrison and me a quick smile before heading their way. “Welcome to Lavender Pages. Anything I can help you with?”
As Jasper played out his role as storeowner, Harrison and I studied each other awkwardly.
It was always somewhat tense when it was just the two of us. I could play it off if Will was there, or Jasper, or anyone else. But as soon as it was just the two of us, it was like my sense of humor went on vacation and left me with absolutely nothing to say.
Harrison shuffled his feet, looking atypically uncomfortable for someone used to the limelight, and then he closed the distance between us, his limp slightly more noticeable than usual. He came to a stop and leaned against the counter, leaving a foot or so between us. “I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you.”
Inexplicably my heart began to pound. “Really?”
He nodded and ran strong sturdy fingers through his thick chestnut hair, which immediately fell right back into place. “Yeah. I just wanted to thank you for… um… all you’re doing for Jasper.”
I had to replay his words, and even so, I didn’t catch the meaning. “All I’m doing for Jasper?”
He shrugged, once more looking uncomfortable.
Leave it to me to make the man who was the picture of male masculinity and could model in little more than a Speedo without blushing, uncomfortable.
That Speedo ad had been spectacular.
Shit. That was the last thing I should be thinking.
Thankfully, Harrison didn’t seem to be able to read minds. “Maybe thanking you was the wrong way to say it. I just am… well… thankful for you. So, yeah, I guess thanking you was the right way to say it. You make Jasper happy.” There was that perfect smile, even if it accompanied the nearly married man who made my cock do things in my pants trying to hook me up with his brother. “Seeing him with you makes getting married a little bit easier. I don’t feel like I’m abandoning him. He’s got others who… love him in Lavender Shores.”
“Uhm, sure. But you don’t need to thank me for that. Jasper’s a lovable guy.” I searched for any way to change the topic. I found it easily enough. “It’s me who needs to be thanking you. Micah told me about your donation to the youth center Micah’s mom is building. It means the world—” Without thinking, I reached out and grasped his forearm, and at the instance of contact, my cock woke behind my jeans. For fuck’s sake.
So not okay.
I released him and forgot how to make words.
Miraculously it appeared Harrison not only couldn’t read minds, he wasn’t adept at reading penises either.
“Oh. Uhm….” He looked uncomfortable, almost panicked. “I didn’t think that was supposed to be public knowledge.”
Well, shit. Micah had told me Harrison specified that he didn’t want any credit. “Oh, it won’t be. Micah is kinda like my brother, as you know. It just meant a lot to his mom, that’s all.” I attempted a reassuring smile. “I won’t broadcast it or anything. It was… a standup thing for you to do. That’s all. So… thanks.” Really? Standup? That was the best I could do after sticking my foot in my mouth?
He took it in stride. “No thanks needed. What Regina is doing is hugely important. I can only imagine if Jasper and I’d had such a place close to us when we were growing up. All I’m giving is money; what she’s working toward means so much more.” Said like the public figure Harrison was.
Although, at that point, it didn’t matter. With Regina’s name, a metaphoric pail of cold water dumped over my head. “Regina! Oh, shit.” I gestured to the door. “I’m supposed to be at Lavender Realty right now. She and Micah are probably wondering where I am.” I didn’t wait for a response before I headed toward the door.
With my dick being the betrayer that it was, I couldn’t bring myself to look over my shoulder at Jasper when I called out to him, “You guys have a good time tonight. Make sure you have dessert.”
Then I was outside the shop and hurrying the short distance to Regina’s.
Cold water or not, the betrayer in my pants wasn’t deflating fast enough. Fuck. Seriously, fuck. I was one of the guy’s groomsmen. I had to get myself under control. Sporting wood in a tux while they exchanged vows on national television wasn’t something I could live down.
Three
Harrison
“What do you mean you can’t have an iris on your lapel?” Jasper looked up from his bowl of ice cream and lowered his spoon.
I shrugged, not sure how to make it any clearer. “Just what I said. They didn’t give approval for the iris.”
As always with Jasper, he wore his emotions on his sleeve, and thanks to his complexion, often on his face as well. Currently, his ruddy cheeks contrasted with his auburn hair. “It’s your wedding. Your lapel.” He blinked several times and then shook his head. “It was bad enough when the edict came that your wedding colors were gold.” He let go of the spoon and threw up his hands in the air. “Gold, Harrison. Your wedding colors are gold. That word is plural for a reason. Wedding colors. As in more than one. Any gay worth their salt knows that. Nobody has just one wedding color, and if you do, you pull a Shelby and have blush and bashful. At the very least you could claim lemon and canary.”
Despite my frustration, I couldn’t help but laugh. “I should’ve had you there. Lemon and canary might’ve actually worked.”
He glowered, a crease forming between his brows. “What if you painted the iris? Mom used to do that when a client wanted a certain type of flower in a color they didn’t actually come in. The iris could be gold.”
I pointed to his bowl. “Eat your ice cream. It’s melting.”
Jasper glanced down as if he’d forgotten all about it and the
n glared back up. “I’m too angry to eat. Plus, this is disgusting. How they even dare to call it ice cream is an insult to spoons everywhere. It’s dairy-free, sugar-free, and taste-free.” He smacked his lips. “It also seems to be texture-free except for a weird slimy after-coating.”
He wasn’t wrong. “I told you, I’m on a diet. Will and I are being very careful about everything we put in our mouths.”
“The fact that you’re putting this crap in your mouth begs to differ.” He sighed, his shoulder slumping. “This is your wedding, Harrison. And your body. Which is back in fighting shape. Sure, you put on a few pounds while you recovered from surgery, but they’ve been gone for ages. You look just as good as you did in your last underwear campaign. You do not need to be worried about ice cream.”
“Will wants everything perfect.” As soon as the words left my lips, I felt as if I was betraying him.
Jasper shot out his hand and grasped mine across the kitchen counter. “You are perfect, Harrison. And Will isn’t here.”
“No, I’m not. And that’s not what I meant.” Despite the stuff I’d eaten being sugar and dairy free, I was already regretting eating it. I felt like I was cheating. “And Will is going to be my husband. We’re a team. We do things together.”
Jasper hesitated. Knowing him as well as I did, what he was getting ready to say was obvious. Internally, I begged him not to. “If that’s true, then why are your wedding colors gold? That wasn’t your call. That was Will’s.”
“No, it wasn’t. It was his dad’s.” I could see the argument rise to Jasper’s lips, so I pushed ahead. “Don’t act like you can’t understand that. You know what it was like with our dad, especially after Mom died. It was his way or no way.”
The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) Page 3