Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Riley
I kissed him. I can’t believe I kissed him. That thought has been running on my mind in a loop for the last twenty-four hours.
I don’t regret it, but I can’t boast that it was the most intelligent decision I have ever made.
It was Theo, though, and he was right there. I wasn’t lying when I said I had always wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
He’s quiet and content to let others take the spotlight. As I got to know him more, I discovered there’s another side to Theo, the side that wants to let people in but is wary at the same time.
I’ve caught glimpses of a more dominant side of his personality, but they come through so infrequently that I thought I was imagining things.
I can confidently say I was not imagining anything. The way he took control of the kiss was hot as hell. He wasn’t the only one turned on.
The feeling of his hard length pressing against my leg had me barely containing the urge to grind against him until I came in my drenched panties. The kiss was so damn good. That’s all I’ve been able to think about… kissing him.
I try to focus on everything else going on around me in the coffee shop, but as I wait for my coffee, my mind keeps wandering back to Theo.
How good it felt to have him pull my hair that way… How I wished he were wearing his glasses… How I want to do it again…
It’s a horrible idea that isn’t going to end well, but I can’t help myself. A piece of me has wanted Theo since that day I smashed my ice cream cone into him.
If I had met Theo first, there’s a good chance he would have been the one I ended up dating that summer. How different would my life be?
I wouldn’t want to change anything because I love where my life is. My career means everything to me. I nurtured it from the ground up. Watching it thrive is akin to a parent seeing their child succeed after graduating from high school.
I loved the summer spent in Aspen Springs years ago, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.
Do I wish things had ended differently between Cole and me? Absolutely. Has there always been a part of me that wondered about Theo… and Finn, if I’m being truthful with myself?
Also, yes.
I know Cole wouldn’t care if he found out about his brother kissing me because he doesn’t give two shits about me. He made that clear when I left with no other option but to stay with them… again.
It’s all just a cluster fuck that’s making my brain hurt.
“Riley,” the barista says. I smile at him, happily taking my cup as I desperately need a distraction from the rabbit hole my brain ventured into.
With my coffee in hand, I decide to walk down Hickory Avenue. It’s the main street that cuts through the middle of town.
It’s dotted with historic brick buildings that date back to the town’s mining origins. There are also modern touches here and there, like the mural painted on the side of a building.
This must have been done sometime in the last eight years because I would have remembered this being here. I’m absolutely in love with it.
It’s massive, taking up the entire side of the two-story building. The bright colors add a pop of happiness to the rustic surroundings.
It’s a nice day, but it’s still March in Colorado. I’m glad I bundled up in warm clothes before making my escape from the house.
The air is chilly when I drag it into my lungs, but I welcome it. It calms my racing thoughts and soothes my soul. Nature has always been my happy place.
That’s probably my least favorite thing about living in Los Angeles. Any nature to be found within driving distance is guaranteed to be crawling with people.
Being surrounded by hundreds of others takes away the peace nature always brings me.
Not for the first time, I consider moving somewhere else. The only reason I’m in Los Angeles is for work, but I could probably find a way to do most things virtually.
The appeal of living a slower-paced life outside of the city is damn appealing. I take in a deep breath, knowing it isn’t something I can figure out today.
It makes me sad that I only have the rest of this month to enjoy this break from city life. I wish it were summertime so that I could do even more outside.
Winter is beautiful here, though, with the snow-capped mountains jutting out against the blue sky. It’s almost too beautiful to understand at first glance. It’s the kind of beauty you can’t fully understand until you’re separated from it.
Looking away from the horizon, I realize I’ve walked all the way to the end of the street, where the animal shelter sits on one side, and the local hardware store is on the other.
I have a feeling both locations are going to be integral to the current podcast episode. Sienna runs the animal shelter, while the hardware store is run by the Kingston brothers, who happen to be the loves of Avery’s life.
I’m just about to turn around and walk back where I came when I spot Finn’s massive build and man-bun across the hardware store’s parking lot. I hesitate for a second, but there’s no reason why I can’t say hi.
He’s standing off to the side of the building where a large amount of lumber is stored. Stepping a little closer, I can see he’s deep in conversation with a handsome man who exudes order and control, but in a kind way.
I almost want to turn around, so I don’t interrupt whatever they’re talking about. From the little snippets I’ve picked up on, they’re discussing lumber shipments.
I’m all the way over here, though, so it would be awkward as hell to turn around now.
Luckily, Finn spots me before I have to scrounge through my brain for something to say. “Riley,” he says, a smile cutting across the entirety of his face.
His happiness spills over, infecting everyone around him. It’s impossible not to smile when you’re around him.
“Hey, Finn,” I say, walking up next to him. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was just out for a walk and wanted to say hi.”
He wraps his muscular arm around my shoulders, drawing me against his side. “Well… hi,” he says, grinning down at me.
I shake my head, glancing at him. He’s so tall that I have to crane my neck back pretty far to look him in the eye at this angle.
“Oh… Riley, this is Will Kingston,” Finn says, pointing at the other man. I suspected he was one of the Kingston brothers. I guess he’s the oldest. That explains the in-control vibes he’s giving off. “Will, this is Riley Graham.”
Will extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Riley,” he says as I shake his hand.
“You, too.”
“I guess I’ll be seeing more of you soon.”
I try to figure out if there is any resentment lingering in his words. Either he’s an expert at hiding it, or there isn’t any there. “How do you feel about doing this podcast?”
He shrugs with a small smile. “Whatever makes Avery happy, I’ll always be okay with.”
That’s all he says, and I don’t need to hear any more to tell how deeply he loves her. She’s a lucky lady.
“I need to get back inside, but it was nice to meet you, Riley,” Will says. Over his shoulder, he hollers to Finn, “Have Cole send over those updated invoices.”
“Sure thing,” Finn says, with his arm still wrapped around me.
When Will disappears through the door, Finn shifts me so I’m standing in front of him. I don’t know what else to do with my arms, so I wrap them around his waist.
I know we probably look like a couple, holding each other in a lover’s embrace. It’s Finn, so I don’t care. Hugging him makes me happy, so I’m hugging him.
“Want to go somewhere with me?” he asks.
I don’t even have to think about the word before it falls from my lips. “Yeah.”