by S. M. West
Olivia Cassidy, Paige and Drew’s mother, has been happily remarried for almost ten years to Samson Beaulieu, a famous chef, or as we know him, Sam. They have an eight-year-old son, Bastien, and spend a good chunk of their time in Montreal, Sam’s home city.
“He’s got you and Alec,” I say dully.
I do want to go. I’m curious and eager to see Drew, but it isn’t a good idea.
“Every bit helps. I’m only there for the weekend and the same with Alec. C’mon, what are you going to do here?”
“I’ll have our place to myself. Finally,” I joke as if living with her is brutal.
“Come for the weekend. You’ll have the entire week to veg while I slave away at work.” She shoves at my shoulder teasingly.
“I doubt Scarlett wants me there.”
Why’d I bring up his girlfriend? We get along just fine, even if she’s noticed hearts in my eyes every time her boyfriend is near.
“Didn’t I tell you?” Paige wrinkles her nose, tilting her head to the side. “They broke up.”
“What? Shut the front door!” I blink rapidly, keeping my eyes from bulging out of their sockets.
They have been together for years. His longest and most serious girlfriend to date.
“Yup.” She nods. “Please come.”
My infatuation with Drew isn’t a secret. I’m not sure when it became a thing. For most of my life, he was simply Paige’s big brother. Sweet, funny, and always protective.
I wasn’t the easiest child. I pushed the boundaries and gave my parents no end of trouble during my teens. Next to Finn, who saved my hide more times than I can count, Drew covered for me.
Then, overnight, he went from a friend to my ideal man. He may not feel the same way, but he’s always let me down gently. He’s never intentionally hurt me, even with his rejection.
Paige begs to differ. She thinks Drew wants me. If only.
“Fine, I’ll come.”
My heart gallops wildly, banging and bucking against my ribs to break free. I’m going to see Drew—finally.
3
Drew
Alec, my step-grandfather, and I hit the road northbound at the crack of dawn. I owe him for the cottage.
I make a decent living as a lawyer, even working for the Attorney General, but not nearly enough to swing a few million. Not at this stage in my life.
Alec gave me the money to buy the place. He called the large sum my inheritance, saying I was a part of his legacy and he wanted to be alive to see it. I was speechless and thankful.
The driveway is a winding trail of gravel lined with dense bushes and opens to a small clearing at the front of the two-and-a-half-story house. I say house, but some would argue it’s a small mansion. It is big.
I never understood why vacation homes in Muskoka are called cottages when many are bigger than most houses. Either way, my new cottage looks far from new and is in disrepair.
The inside isn’t much better as I take in the water stains and cracked plaster, but it’s nothing hard work and money can’t fix. And despite the shape it’s in, the mismatched furniture makes it look lived in.
The thought brings my mom to mind and I shoot her a text, thanking her once again for coming up with the movers earlier this week. To be a smartass, I add a line about my approval of the furniture layout.
It’s a joke because she’s an interior designer and I trust her judgement implicitly. And truthfully, I’m a guy. I only care about having somewhere to park my ass.
Mom’s in Montreal, but she wanted to be here. So to lessen her motherly guilt, she insisted on overseeing the movers with setting up everything. After telling her four times that she didn’t have to, I gave up and let her do her thing.
“She’s got great bones.” Alec jots something in his notepad, having finished his third walkthrough while I unpacked the car.
“Yeah.” I nod, only seeing all that needs to be done.
But from the gleam in Alec’s eyes, he sees beneath the surface of this run down place and can only imagine the limitless possibilities. As a retired architect, he can’t wait to help fix it up.
“Over there.” He points to the glass wall spanning one side of the house with the deck and lake beyond. “We can extend the patio a few feet. And that pier.” He pauses, furrowing his brow. “Hmmm, I’ll have to take a closer look.”
“It’s pooched. A definite tear-down.” I follow him outside.
He nods, continuing to note things to work on or plans he envisions, all of which include my wishes and ideas.
I’m both eager to get started and overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. It’s going to take time and cost a fortune. The time I can live with. I want to move quickly, but I’m also realistic. I don’t have a lot of cash to do it all at once. And that’s where having time to earn and save more is needed.
Alec shoots down every objection or comment I have about delaying work because of money.
“You’re right.” He stands before the rickety wooden pier. “This is a tear-down.”
At first glance, it appears worn by the elements and time, but upon closer inspection, it’s more than that. The beams are cracking and uneven, with some sinking further into the murky depths of the lake than others.
“I have caution tape.” I fish the yellow roll from the supply crate we took out of the car when we arrived.
We secure the tape around the posts at the mouth of the pier, chuckling at the crime scene vibe. Then we get into the water for closer inspection of the dock.
What started as an exploration ends with us swimming around in the lake, clearing away dead pieces of wood from under the dock. Focused on our task, it’s only the crunch of rubber on the stony driveway that gets our attention. Paige is here.
We’re making our way to land when Ken hollers from the other side of the yard. “Hey D-man, where you at?”
“We’re out back.” Once out of the lake, I whip off my wet shirt and shorts, and grab a towel, wondering why he’s here.
Looking every bit the college bum he likes to think he still is, Ken saunters around the house with a toothpick hanging from the side of his mouth, wearing shorts and a ratty t-shirt.
“Damn, this is sweet.” He whistles long and approvingly, scanning the vista of Lake Rosseau. “You weren’t kidding when you said this place was all that.”
My ridiculous grin, the one I’ve been sporting for hours, springs to life, and I chuckle, basking in how happy and proud I am to call this place mine.
“Yeah.” We fist-bump, and he says hello to Alec.
Without waiting for an invitation, he grabs a beer from the cooler, gulping back half the bottle before finally noticing our wet clothes or lack thereof.
“What were you boys up to?”
“We were getting rid of the dead wood in the lake, but it’ll have to wait. We don’t have all we need.” Alec removes his shirt, walking toward the house. “I’m going to shower. Then let’s start dinner.”
“Sounds good.” I glance at my watch and realize the day is almost done. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to come up later in the week?”
I pull an old pair of shorts from my hockey bag on the deck and rid myself of the damp towel. I need a shower too.
“Yeah, I figured I’d make this a long weekend. I can stay until Monday night.” He roams the full length of the deck, inspecting the house. “Put me to work. It looks like you could use it.”
“Sure can.”
“I can’t believe this came up for sale. I mean, it’s in bad shape. You need a new roof and those spouts need replacing.” He points to things I already have listed. “But the house is huge and Lake Rosseau… shit, this is sick.”
“Yeah.” I hang the towel on the deck railing. “I purchased it from the original owners. The father wanted it to stay in the family, but the adult children moved away and never cared for it. When their dad died, they put it on the market.”
“You got lucky, brother.” He flicks the beer
cap, and I raise a brow—not to be a killjoy, but he could slow down. “Where’s Paige?”
Clenching my jaw, I inhale deeply and force myself to let go of any aggravation. The guy’s a player and is always looking for the women. Always.
“Knock it off.” I grab a cold one, taking a long pull before adding, “She’s my sister. Off limits.”
The words burn my throat with the bitter taste of hypocrisy. Finn said the same thing to me years ago after he caught Pippa flirting with me.
“Relax.” He shakes his head and asks to be put to work.
The sun slowly dips below the horizon, and we spend the next hour fixing the outside lights. We finally start the barbecue, and I fire off another text to Paige. Where is she?
“You want a beer?” I motion to Alec chopping vegetables and sliding them onto skewers at the outdoor counter.
He waves me off, a glass of Chablis beside him. He could easily pass for a Ralph Lauren model. A silver fox, refined no matter what he’s doing, whereas Ken and I are dressed in shorts and faded tees, ready to hit the local hangout after dinner. Alec plans to stay in, but you’d never guess so with his chinos and plaid button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled to mid-forearm. Classy.
By the time dinner is ready, there’s still no sign of Paige. Her last text said she was close. I bet she stopped at a friend’s cottage to hang out.
I love my sister, but she can be selfish. It wouldn’t cross her mind to tell me if she’s changed plans and is no longer coming.
I get out my phone and send my tenth text in the last two hours.
Me: Where are you? We’re going to eat in five.
It’s at that moment we hear a car engine. Finally.
“Ah, Paige.” Alec beams in anticipation of seeing his only granddaughter.
A car door slams, then another. I wonder if she’s brought someone with her? With no time to dwell on it, Paige turns the corner, all casual and smiling without any consideration for leaving us waiting. Her hair is wound into a ball on top of her head; she’s wearing no makeup, shorts, and a blouse. She’s both the bratty sister I love to torment and the independent and confident woman I adore.
Paige bounds into Alec’s arms, laughing, and the old guy squishes her like his favorite teddy bear. I shift toward them but stop, glimpsing someone behind her.
Pippa.
Jesus Christ.
No matter how long it has been since laying eyes on her, nothing has changed. My heart flips like flapjacks, and my abs tighten the way a slipknot does. This girl, no scratch that, this woman, has my heart in her hands and she doesn’t even know it.
I drink in her thick hair, shimmering like gold, and the sexy white sundress, gloriously showcasing her sunkissed legs and bare shoulders. She’s glowing.
“Hey, Drew.” Her sweet, sultry voice wrenches my gaze to her mouth.
Sweet baby Jesus. Pink. Plump. Edible.
A tiny pert smile graces her glossy lips. It’s innocent enough but carries an edge that suggests she knows exactly what she’s doing to me.
“Pippa.” Her name sounds strangled, and I clear my throat.
Before I can say more, Ken wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her clear off the grass. She squeals, gripping his shoulders tightly. My hands curl into fists, like kettlebells ready to swing at his head.
“Hey, bro.” Paige casually slings an arm around my shoulder, unintentionally jostling me.
“Hey,” I clip, my lips pressed together, biting my tongue to stop from chewing her out.
I want to ask why she thought it was okay to bring Pippa. If anything, I was preparing for Pip to come with Finn next weekend. I thought I had time to get my shit together.
“Why’d you text-bomb me? You’re worse than Mom.”
With Pippa still very much in his arms, Ken approaches us and he exchanges a quick hello with my sister before catching my eye.
“That’s enough, perv.”
I want to grab Pippa from his arms but before I lose all willpower and give into the urge, he releases her. The girls exchange a look and my sister gives her best friend a sly wink before she steps out of the way, making room for Pippa to move closer to my side.
“Hi,” Pippa says, pushing onto her toes to slide her arms around my neck.
The sweet fragrance of honeysuckle tickles my nose, heady with warm hints of honey and ripe citrus, and my hands twitch and ache to touch her. I only hope I can keep it together.
My arms band her slender waist, and I tighten my hold. Any trepidation or awkwardness fades and her soft curves melt against me. My eyes fall shut as I engulf her warm, slender frame and relish in how fucking amazing it feels to have her in my arms.
Everything else fades away but Pippa.
Well, except for the small, insistent part of me that’s fighting the sensations and trying to remind me that Pippa in my arms shouldn’t feel this good. She’s my best friend’s little sister.
“Look who’s the perv now.” Ken breaks our blissful bubble and my eyes snap open.
I tense, now remembering we have an audience and take in the curious stares from all around us. My sister wears a cheeky smirk and I step away from the warmth of Pippa.
Frowning, I try to not look back, but fail, sneaking glances at Pippa even when I know I shouldn’t. I should be getting far away from her, but I can’t and I’m unable to look elsewhere. She’s still the brightest person in any space she’s in.
Tilting her head to the side, Pippa crinkles her nose and worries her pretty bottom lip, now mirroring my frown.
“Pippa, it’s so lovely to see you.” Alec hugs her.
“I hope it’s okay I came,” she says, never taking her eyes off me.
She’s picked up on my hesitation, or uncertainty, or whatever the hell this is, and never one to beat around the bush, she addresses the elephant in the room. All eyes land on me, waiting for my response.
“Of course it’s okay,” Paige chimes in, glaring at me for my verbal incapacity.
“Is it?” Pippa folds her arms and squares her shoulders.
I swallow past my growing unease. My plans for this weekend have gone up in smoke. I wanted to be single-minded, get shit done, but like always, I’m at the mercy of Pippa Raine.
She’s the sun, and I orbit around her. Unable to go my own way because she’s all I see. Her pull is fierce and immutable.
Raking my fingers through my hair, I shake my head trying to ease the growing knot between my shoulder blades. This shouldn’t be difficult. It’s Pippa. I’ve known her since the day she was born, so why does she make me tongue-tied and nervous?
“We’re glad you came.” Alec comes to my rescue, hooking his arm around my shoulder to steer me toward the deck. “Hope you’re hungry. Dinner is ready.”
He gestures for everyone to head inside while I take the meat off the grill and join them in the kitchen. Everyone is seated at the table, busy preparing their plates except for Pippa. She tracks my every move, nibbling on her bottom lip and deep concentration like I’m a puzzle she must solve.
She’s still captivated by me. Shit, judging by the tightness of my pants—never mind how her gripping gaze makes it hard to breathe—the feeling is mutual.
Damn, this weekend will be long and painful.
4
Pippa
I could spend the night wallowing. No woman would blame me. Drew doesn’t want me here.
I drilled Paige on the drive up about whether Drew knew I was coming for the weekend. In typical Paige fashion, her silly, adorable expressions flippantly screamed who cares what Drew thinks.
I do.
Even after all this time, my feelings for him are as strong as ever. And Paige might be right; Drew might feel something too. I could feel it in the way he hung on to me just a little past friendly or how his nose buried into my hair as we parted, breathing me in.
But then he gave me the silent treatment all through dinner. Not once acknowledging me even when I asked him a direct question. He’d
answer, but to the group, avoiding eye contact with me.
Screw him.
I’m not staying in to sulk. It’s a beautiful Saturday night, and we’re on one of the most coveted lakes in Ontario. I’m making the most of it.
“Pip, you ready?” Paige swings the upper half of her body into the bathroom.
“Yep, let’s get this party started.” I flip the light off and we link arms.
On our way outside, we wave goodbye to Alec sitting on the porch and find the boys waiting by the car.
Within minutes, Drew is parking in front of the Boathouse, a local bar resembling its name. Rustic and laid-back, the establishment is worn but welcoming with sandy floors, and kayaks and paddles hanging on the wooden plank walls. It’s crowded with tan young people looking for a good time. The dance floor is small and lively with everyone bumping and grinding.
We grab a table in the middle of the room, and our waitress brings us a pitcher of beer. Paige barely sits before she leaves to talk to a few girls she recognizes from university. Uninvited but hungry, Ken follows, eager to meet her pretty friends, leaving Drew and me alone.
“He’ll never change, will he?” I giggle at Ken already flirting with a cute brunette.
“Nope, he’s hopeless.” Drew sips his beer.
Our eyes lock, and he swallows thickly, but he doesn’t squirm or avert his gaze or better yet, leave. Something passes between us, stuck in this moment, and judging by how intense his stare becomes, he feels it too.
“How’ve you been?” He leans in closer to hear me above the noise.
“Good. Busy, but good. And you?” I hate small talk, but this feels different.
It isn’t empty or random. It’s foreplay. We’re warming up, feeling each other out, stimulating each other.
“Great.” His full, sexy lips slide into a frisky grin. “What are you doing these days?”
“Pardon?”
I’m not sure what he’s asking, mesmerized by how hot he is. I didn’t forget. Not possible. But now, he’s here, only inches in front of me, and he’s all I see.