Chapter Six
Aspen
After fishing with Maddox and the group, I returned to our cabin and had a relaxing afternoon. Lexie and Devon were out on the lake, Mom and Dad sat in the shade and played Scrabble with my aunts and uncles, and I read a book in one of the sun loungers in-between naps.
The fourteen of us are now on our way to Pier’s Edge Seafood Shack, one of our favorite restaurants in town. Grandma made the reservation the day we arrived as the place tends to fill up fast.
Mom opens the door of the restaurant, and we all follow her inside. When the hostess asks if we want to sit on the outdoor deck overlooking the water, we immediately jump at the opportunity.
I sit down next to Indigo, and Travis takes the empty seat on the other side of me. I’m glad. He’s the perfect buffer. Lexie and Devon are on the other side of him, giggling like teenagers. I get that they’re in love, but do they have to lay it on so thick? I honestly can’t remember what I ever saw in the guy. In my defense, he never acted nasty while we were still together. That’s something he started doing after the break-up. He never said anything bad to me. He just didn’t speak at all. Ghosting someone without an explanation is considered acting nasty too, right?
I grab the pitcher of water that’s already waiting for us on the table and pour myself a glass. Once everyone is seated, the waiter appears at our table.
“Good evening, folks,” he says cheerfully. “Can I interest you in the catch of the day? Swimming in the waters of Fog Harbor this morning; on your plate this evening.”
“And what might the catch of the day be today?” Aunt Annie asks.
“We’ve got trout and salmon, caught mere hours ago. I’d recommend the pan-fried trout with almonds or the grilled salmon with lemon dill sauce. Both are delicious.”
Aunt Annie nods approvingly. “That sounds amazing. I’ll have the trout. And your phone number,” she adds with a wink.
Uncle William’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Excuse me? Last time I checked, we were still married. Why do you want his phone number? He’s young enough to be our son.”
“Annie, your husband is right. That’s not how I raised you,” Grandma chimes in.
“Relax, it’s not for me. It’s for Aspen,” Aunt Annie says with a chuckle.
The chatter around the table falls silent as everyone’s attention shifts to me, witnessing how I almost choke on my water. My eyes tear up as I try and fail to fend off a coughing fit. Real sexy.
“No thanks,” I finally squeak, heat flooding to my cheeks. “I don’t need anyone’s number.”
“Annie, you’re my sister and I love you, but you’ve got to stop playing matchmaker like this,” Uncle James says. “Poor Aspen looks mortified.”
“I have to agree with our sister, James. It can’t hurt for Aspen to get out and date again,” Mom says.
This is unbelievable. Mom is agreeing to this insanity? I thought we were here to eat, not to gang up on me in front of my ex.
I sink lower in my seat. “Thanks, but I don’t need a family intervention. I’m doing just fine, okay? And I’ll have the salmon, please.”
“Noted,” the waiter says, clearly feeling uncomfortable with all this meddling as well.
“Same for me, thanks,” Indigo says, crossing her arms over her chest. She turns to her mother. “And don’t you dare pull the same stunt on me.”
“Fine, I won’t mention it again this evening,” Aunt Annie says.
Indigo leans over to me while the others give the waiter their orders. “I’m sorry, Aspen. I don’t know why Mom always feels the need to play matchmaker. I’m desperate to find a boyfriend just so I can stop listening to her going on and on about me still being single.”
“I know,” I say with a nod. “And why is she always targeting us and never the guys?”
“Don’t get me started.” She takes a sip of water. “Grandma told me you were out fishing today. With a hot guy?”
My heart skips a beat when I think of Maddox, the memory of how great he looked in his flannel shirt and the heat I felt when he put his hands on mine now flooding my thoughts. When he stood right behind me, all I could think about was his proximity and his rugged charm—not how to cast a line.
“Aspen?” Indigo prompts again.
“It was not a fishing trip with a hot guy. I mean, it’s a group and yes, the instructor is good-looking, but the other students are all retired. I’m not there to reel in a guy. I just want to learn how to fish.”
She frowns. “Because fishing is a skill you need? You live in the city.”
Oof. She’s right. Why would I need that skill when I’m only at the lake two weeks a year? “I figure it can’t hurt to learn something new every now and then. I don’t want my brain to get rusty. And I want to win that fishing competition Lexie signed us up for.”
Indigo laughs. “A fishing competition? Really? You’re not even the competitive kind. I’m sorry, but those all sound like excuses, dear cousin. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“There’s no secret. I promise.” I scrape my chair back. “I’m going inside. To the salad bar.”
I hurry away from my family before anyone else can make any assumptions about my feelings for Maddox. I snort at the thought. Feelings . That’s not even the right word. Am I attracted to Maddox? Fine, I am, but that’s no surprise. He’s one of the hottest guys in town. There’s no denying it. Even Ethel told me he’s the reason she signed up for fishing lessons.
I wonder if this this how every woman sees my brother Travis. To me, he’s my goofy brother, but to others, he’s the gorgeous NFL quarterback everyone wants to date. At least, that’s what I gather whenever I browse his social media comments.
About five feet before reaching the salad bar, I stop short in my tracks. Maddox is here. Of all the places in town, he’s having dinner at Pier’s Edge Seafood Shack. He’s scooping tomatoes on his plate while talking to a tall guy who looks suspiciously similar to him. His brother perhaps? They both have the same thick, dark hair and full beard, and the same broad shoulders. The only difference that catches my eye is that Maddox has a grumpy expression on his face and the other guy is grinning. Maybe he’s super happy about the all-you-can-eat salad bar and Maddox isn’t?
As if hearing my thoughts, Maddox looks up and locks eyes with me. A surprised look crosses his face as he recognizes me. The serving spoon in his hand drops to the floor, causing the mystery guy who’s with him to look at me as well.
Maddox gives me a small wave. I realize I have to move, but it’s like I’m glued to the floor. I take a deep breath and walk the remaining five feet to close the distance between us. A waitress rushes over to grab the spoon from the floor and disappears into the kitchen with it.
“Is this her?” I hear Maddox’s friend—or brother—ask. Her? Did Maddox mention me?
Maddox elbows him in the side. “Shut up.”
“Hi, guys. Here to eat?” I ask.
What a stupid question. Of course, they’re here to eat. Why else would they be at a restaurant?
“Hi, Aspen. This is my brother, Benson,” Maddox says, motioning toward the mystery guy.
“Nice to meet you, Aspen. I’ve heard a lot about you already. You’re the one who convinced my brother to bend the rules, huh?”
I nod. “That’s right. And I’m grateful that he did. I had an amazing time today.”
The three of us stand there staring at each other, caught in an awkward silence. I rack my brain for something to say, but my mind feels as blank as a freshly erased chalkboard. What do people normally talk about in situations like this? I open my mouth, then promptly close it again. Great. Now I’m reminding them of a fish out of water. That’s exactly what you want when talking to the hottest guy in town, right?
“Excuse me,” an older gentleman interjects, his tone full of irritation. “Are you going to scoop some of these baby carrots on your plate or are you going to block the salad bar and chat?”
Maddox’s expression darkens into a scowl as he glares at the man.
“We’ll move,” Benson says, grabbing his brother by the shoulder and pulling him aside before he can make a scene.
“Having a tea party in the middle of the restaurant, are we?” Devon’s voice slices through the air, making the hair on my arms stand on end.
I whirl around, meeting his cocky gaze with a steely glare. If only I could smack that smirk off his face, but I won’t let myself get riled up. Not again.
“Can you please stop with the childish behavior?” I ask.
He places a hand over his heart and has the audacity to look shocked. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“Oh, so you’re telling me you’re not doing it on purpose? Being insufferable is your default?”
He smirks. “I’m a lot of things, but I’m not insufferable.”
I shake my head. What did I ever see in him?
“Dude, get lost,” Maddox snaps at him. “We’re having a private conversation here.”
Devon opens his mouth but decides against replying after taking in Maddox’s and Benson’s burly frames. He turns on his heel and moves out of the way. From the corner of my eye, I watch him angrily pile up sliced tomatoes on his plate.
Maddox raises his eyebrow. “Is that the infamous ex?”
I nod. “That’s him, all right.”
He clears his throat. “ Oh, well, we, uhm, should return to our table,” he stammers. “Right, Benson?”
His brother’s forehead crinkles but he nods in agreement. “Right. It was nice to meet you, Aspen.”.
“Likewise.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Maddox says.
“Bye.”
Disappointment rushes through me. I’d love nothing more than to spend the evening with Maddox instead of Devon. But the sane part of me knows that’s just not possible.
What I can do though, is look at his cute butt while he walks away. I must say, it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.