2. Aspen
2
ASPEN
“ H ey, so…funny story,” Cora says, sitting down at the table with an overly bright smile on her face. Bristol snickers and I can already tell I’m going to hate this.
“How bad is it?” I say, taking a sip of my margarita and wishing like hell I’d ordered an extra shot of tequila.
“So, um…” Her eyes dart to Bristol who doesn’t bother to hide her amusement. Cora’s sister-in-law to be is the newest addition to our friend group formerly consisting of Cora, Bea, and me. Bea had relocated to my hometown and had fallen in love, making it just Cora and me again.
Until now.
“It’s not that bad,” Bristol encourages, and now I’m starting to sweat.
“Talon’s parents surprised Bristol and Navy with tickets to seeing the princesses on ice show.” She pauses. “The four of them are going.”
I blink and then turn toward Bristol, my head cocked slightly to the side. I’m definitely missing something.
“It’s the same day as the Ladies Auxiliary event but Phoenix can help you,” Cora blurts, her eyes widening as everything slowly clicks into place.
Absolutely fucking not.
“No,” I say adamantly. “I’ll do the event by myself.” The Ladies Auxiliary for the Magnolia Point Fire Department had been desperate for us to cater their holiday party after the original caterer canceled.
Cora and I had agreed to the job even though she’d be away with Talon on vacation. It should have been easy working with Bristol.
But nothing is ever easy.
Still, there’s no way that I’m going to let Phoenix Banks deflate my holiday spirit by me being trapped with him in the food truck I own and operate with Cora. Taste of Magnolia had been her brainchild, but we both worked our asses off to make it a reality.
I spray-painted huge pink magnolia flowers on the side and then hand-painted the details, the design making us classy and unique in Cora’s hometown of Magnolia Point.
“You can’t do it yourself; it’s too big.”
“Did you ask him? There’s no way he’d say yes.” My eyes ping-pong between my former friends as Cora looks guilty and Bristol stares at me with amusement.
“He said yes,” Cora admits, her nervous smile slowly becoming a happy one.
Dammit.
My best friend works harder than anyone I know, and she deserves this vacation with her super-hot fiancé. My heart thaws the slightest bit as the ring on her finger catches the light, the diamond sparkling like a disco ball.
“For the record, he’s the one who doesn’t like me.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Bristol mutters as I dip a tortilla chip into the queso and point it at her.
“I get under his skin. I’m not serious enough. I think one time he told me I smile too much.” The words pour out of me, and I shove the chip in my mouth to stop anything else from escaping.
Unfortunately, I like Phoenix.
He just doesn’t like me back.
And he made that very clear after the one drunken, groping kiss we shared before he’d stormed out of the bar.
I hadn’t told Cora—I hadn’t told anyone. I just continued to aggravate Phoenix with my general presence.
And the problem isn’t that he told me no. The problem is that I see the way he looks at me. The way he undresses me with his eyes, his gaze like a physical caress that sends a shiver down my spine.
I remember the way he felt pressed against me and the way he unapologetically rubbed me all over his aching cock. I’d wanted to rip my clothes off right there or at the very least drag him into the bathroom and let him bend me over the sink.
But none of that had happened because he balked when I asked him to take me home.
So, I’d moved on.
Mostly.
Now I find enjoyment in aggravating him every chance I get. Like when I saw him across the street walking Talon’s teacup pig, Chip. I made a big production of waving hi to him and calling his name. The attention had earned him several groups of women who wanted to fawn all over the pig and him.
He grunted and growled at me for a week straight after that one, and it was worth every second.
But other times, like when I had to call Talon because the truck broke down and needed to be towed, I asked him back at Lowcountry Automotive if he’d give me a ride. I’d read his unspoken no loud and clear. It had been the end of my unrequited pining. I still teased and tormented him, but I did it with the knowledge that Phoenix Banks would never want a woman like me.
“He likes you,” Bristol says with a laugh that means she thinks I’m oblivious.
But I’m not. I’m really not.
“You guys can make nice for one day, right? Please?”
“Of course.” I nod as I take Cora’s hand and squeeze. “Don’t worry, we’ll have it all taken care of. I just want you to enjoy your vacation.”
“Thank you!” she squeals as she beams at me. It’s hard not to smile back. Her enthusiasm is infectious and it’s so incredible to see my best friend finally happy.
When Cora gets up to use the bathroom, Bristol turns to me, a frown on her pink-painted lips.
“My brother really does like you. I know I probably shouldn’t tell you that but I know him. It’s just he had a very serious relationship blow up in his face, and even though it was before he moved back to Magnolia Point, I still know it hurts him.”
“Look,” I say, unable to help the sigh that accompanies that single word, “I don’t have a problem with Phoenix, but he made it clear that I’m not for him romantically or as friends, honestly. We’re cordial because Talon and Cora are getting married so we’re stuck together, and we’ll just have to make the best of it.”
She opens her mouth to speak but before she can, Cora drops down into her seat and raises her glass. “To the best Christmas ever!”
“To decking the halls and Santa Claus,” I say before we both look at Bristol expectantly.
“Um…to…I have no idea. Let’s just drink before this melts,” she huffs. So we do, clinking our glasses and giggling before taking a sip. The mango is refreshing, the lack of sugar or salt on the rim intentional. The only time I indulge is in the fall when the pumpkin beers come out because cinnamon and sugar is a flavor must.
“It’s honestly the perfect time. We’ll be flyin’ in early Christmas Eve morning so we can still have a big sleepover.”
Bristol’s smile is genuine before it slides to something more pensive as she looks at me. “Since we’re asking about favors…”
“Oh no,” I groan. “Now what?”
“I need one too,” she starts, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “Nina is hosting a speed-dating event at the library.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing,” Cora says, taking Bristol’s hand and squeezing, obviously putting together the pieces faster than I am.
Again.
“And scary,” Bristol says wryly. “I signed up but I don’t want to go alone.” Her big doe eyes meet mine, and I snort because I’ve seen Navy make that exact same face. “And I might have signed you up too.”
This time I can’t help but throw back my head and laugh. There’s not a chance in hell I want to go speed dating, but there’s even less of a chance I’d say no to bein’ Bristol’s wingwoman as the widowed, single mother dips her toes back into dating.
Grabbing her other hand in both of mine, I give her the brightest smile I can manage. “I will absolutely go for you.”
Shoulders sagging, her eyes are glassy as her gaze bounces between us.
“Thank you so much,” she whispers. “My family are the only ones that stayed with me after Davis passed, and I’m just so grateful to have you both.” She gives a shaky laugh as she blinks back tears. “I love my daughter to the ends of the earth and beyond, but it’s so nice to have girlfriends again.”
“That’s good because you’re stuck with us,” Cora jokes, wrapping her arm around Bristol’s shoulders and waving at me to join.
Scooting my chair closer, I hug the two women who have become my sisters, each coming into my life at two very different times, one no less important than the other.
“I’m totally keeping you,” I tell Bristol.
“This calls for more drinks and queso,” she says with a watery laugh.
“To drinks and queso!”