Chapter 5
GISELLE
“Those are pretty,” Shay said from behind the counter of my boutique.
I held up the red halter dress that had just come in. It was just a matter of time before the sorority girls from Cranmore U swarmed my store in need of dresses for their formals. “I could totally see you in it.”
Shay laughed. “You do realize you’ve seen me in more dresses than I’ve worn in my entire life.”
“Honored,” I said, knowing Shay had only begun to come out of her shell after she started dating my brother.
The version of her I’d met when Kason first introduced us was completely different—distant, sad, alone.
“Any idea how Thayer’s date went the other night?
” I asked, keeping my eyes on the dresses I was placing onto a rack.
“You heard about that?”
“I saw him before he went to pick her up. I was just curious how it went.”
“It must’ve went well. He told Kason he’s gonna see her again.”
“Oh. That’s good,” I said, jamming the dresses onto the rack with a little more aggression than necessary.
“Is it?” she asked.
“Of course,” I said, hating that I’d ever brought it up.
“Are you going to Blades tonight?” Shay asked, kindly changing the subject.
I glanced to her. “What’s happening at Blades?”
“Jesse’s having a band and food trucks. He’s trying to cater to new customers, especially with all the tourists visiting. Kason’s signing autographs.”
“He didn’t mention it,” I said.
“Well, I’m mentioning it. So, you should totally come.”
I cocked my head. “You’re using me because Kason’s gonna be busy all night.”
“Would you hate me if I were?”
I laughed. “No.” I considered her invite. I was used to working long hours and being too tired to do anything but go home afterward.
“Even if you just stop by for a little while, Kason would be happy you showed.”
“Oh, you’re laying the guilt on thick.”
She smiled. “Seriously, though. He’s in a great mood since he got his cast off today.”
“Oh, that’s right. Was everything okay?”
“The doctor said the X-ray looked good and told him to take it easy. But, you know your brother.”
I laughed to myself. Did I ever. “You know what? I’ll go.”
Her brows shot up. “Yeah?”
“Did you expect me to say I wouldn’t?”
She winced. “Kinda.”
I didn’t blame her for expecting that response. I normally would say no. I was just beginning to forget why.
When I arrived at Blades, there were tons of cars lining the road. I found a spot a couple of blocks down and parked while speaking to Gino on the phone.
“I’m just pulling up now,” I said.
“Say hi to your brother for me.”
“Okay. Wait. Can we review the expense records tomorrow?”
“I’ll set aside some time before lunch. Can we FaceTime so I can see your beautiful face?” he asked.
Though he couldn’t see me, I rolled my eyes. “Stop mixing business with pleasure.”
“I’m your business partner. Of course I’m mixing business with pleasure.”
“My silent business partner,” I reminded him. “It means you remain silent.”
He laughed, and it was times like this that it felt the way it did when we first started dating almost three years ago.
He’d swept me off my feet and encouraged me to open the boutique, offering to help get me started.
We were a match made in heaven back then.
He was solely behind the scenes, and I could do whatever I wanted with the store—decorating, ordering, hiring.
And, I did. Making it the most popular store in town.
But those good times were now few and far between. “Have fun tonight,” he said.
“I will. Talk to you tomorrow,” I said, before switching off my car and the call.
I stepped outside, happy I’d dressed warm in a teal cashmere turtleneck sweater, jeans, and boots.
I walked the short distance to Blades and found a huge tent set up in the parking lot.
Portable heaters were placed all around to keep everyone warm, and people gathered at high-top tables after grabbing food from the nearby food trucks.
I made my way under the tent, looking for familiar faces.
I spotted Kason at a table signing autographs for young snowboarders.
He was in his element, smiling and laughing.
Jesse hurried over to greet me. “Hey. I’m glad Kason told you about the event.”
“Looks great out here,” I observed, noticing the racks of merch and bar.
“Let me know if you need help setting up a night like this for the boutique.”
“Definitely.” I was always looking for ways to bring in new customers who might’ve thought my store was too upscale. A night like this might just prove it had something for everyone.
“You came!” Shay said as Jesse was pulled away by some people. “Come on. We’re camped out over here.”
I followed her to a table and instantly stilled. Thayer and a beautiful blonde stood there. I quickly averted my gaze. Thankfully, Kason had finished with his fans and came over and hugged me.
“Hey,” I said, stepping out of the hug. “How’s the wrist feel?”
“Like new,” he said, rotating his wrist around like I needed proof since it had been in a cast since December.
“Now, if you could just stop doing all those flips.”
“And disappoint my adoring fans?” he asked, like I’d said the unthinkable. “Never.”
“Speaking of fans,” I said, my head whipping around to find no line at his autograph table. “Where are they?”
“You just missed the mad rush. More will show up,” he assured me. “Speaking of showing up, I couldn’t believe it when Shay told me you were coming tonight.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“It’s almost ten. I thought you turn into a pumpkin after nine.”
I heard laughter from the table.
“Oh, that’s really funny, Kase,” I said, not appreciating him making me look lame in front of Thayer’s date. I averted my gaze, looking around the tent at all the twinkling lights strung up above. “Jesse said he’d help me if I wanted to arrange an event like this at the boutique.”
“Which boutique?” Thayer’s date asked.
I inhaled a deep breath before looking at her. “Silver and Pearls.”
“I love that shop,” she gushed. “It’s got the best dresses and jewelry.”
It totally did. “I’m sorry. We haven’t met. I’m Kason’s sister Giselle.”
“I’m Masie. Thayer’s…,” she stalled, but when Thayer didn’t jump in to assist, she finished. “Date.”
“Oh, Masie. Right. How did snowboarding go?” I asked.
She glanced to Thayer who was watching me like a hawk.
Down boy. I can play nice.
“Well, Thayer? How’d I do?” she asked him.
“She was amazing,” he said to me.
“He’s being too kind. We only made it two runs before I knew I was probably gonna break something.”
“We spent most of the night in the lodge,” he explained.
“How romantic,” I said, knowing I needed to get out of there before I said something I’d regret. I glanced around, locating the bar on the other side of the tent. “I’m gonna get a drink.” I eyed everyone’s full drinks and didn’t bother offering a round before taking off for the bar.
I stood in line, feeling like I shouldn’t have come. Of course, Thayer would be there with a date. I hadn’t seen him with a girlfriend in a long time, and I wished it wasn’t the cause of the huge pit in my stomach.
“I’m surprised you showed up,” Thayer said from behind me.
I looked over my shoulder to find him alone in line.
“This event seems beneath you,” he continued.
I widened my eyes and turned to face him. “Wow. Tell me how you really feel about me, Thayer.”
“Do I need to worry about you tonight?” he asked, ignoring my question.
“Worry about me?” I asked.
“Yeah. Do you plan on trying to make Masie uncomfortable?”
“Is that seriously what you think of me?” I asked, my blood simmering.
“I don’t know what to think anymore. You’ve been so fucking cold toward me all year. I’m getting brain freeze.”
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, snagging my attention away from Thayer at the perfect moment.
“I’ll just have a white wine,” I said.
“Typical,” Thayer mumbled behind me.
“We’re only serving local IPAs tonight,” the bartender informed me.
“Oh, I love IPAs,” I said, wanting to shove Thayer’s ‘typical’ comment up his ass. “I’ll take your favorite,” I said to the bartender with a smile.
Thayer
She couldn’t even let me have one night.
One. Fucking. Night. I was trying to give another girl a shot, but then Giselle goes and shows up out of nowhere.
She never came to stuff like this. She was always busy with her boutique.
Now, it’s like everywhere I turned, she was there, trying to fuck with my head.
Masie was nice. And, she definitely liked me. Why shouldn’t I hang out with her?
I returned to the table with beers for Masie and me.
Giselle stood beside her, and I feared that she may have been acting the way she had in her condo—or worse, in Aspen.
That Giselle drove me fucking nuts. It was like she was jealous I had a date, but she didn’t want me. She had a boyfriend for fuck’s sake.
I handed Masie one of the beers. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Thayer,” she beamed, like I could do no wrong.
My eyes instinctively slid to Giselle’s, and I could almost read the repulsion in them. What the hell did she want from me?
“Your brother’s a really great snowboarder,” Masie said to her.
“Yeah, he is,” she agreed.
“I now realize how hard those moves are,” Masie continued.
“Kason and Thayer make it look easy,” Giselle said.
My brows dipped. Had a compliment really left her lips?
“I can’t wait to see it in person,” Masie said, looking at me. “Thayer said I could come watch him compete.”
“If he competes,” Giselle said.
“What do you mean?” Masie asked, oblivious to the intent behind her words.
“She just means she doubts I will,” I explained before swigging my beer.
“I didn’t say that,” Giselle said through gritted teeth.
“You didn’t have to,” I said. “It’s written all over your face.”
Masie’s eyes jumped between us.
“I’m sorry. When you compete. Is that better?” Giselle asked.
“Much,” I agreed.
“I just wonder when you’ll actually do it. You know, put yourself out there,” she said, baiting me.
“Put myself out there?” I scoffed. “Been there, done that. Crashed and burned.”
Her eyes widened.
Yeah, Giselle. I said it.
“Well, you’ve never been one to give up,” she said, recovering like the pro she was.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Kason joined us with Shay at his side.
“Hey,” Kason said. “Giselle, did you meet Thayer’s friend?”
Giselle plastered on a polite smile that disguised the disgusted look she’d had on her face. “Yes. We were chatting about Thayer and the odds of him competing again.”
Kason looked to Thayer. “You didn’t change your mind, did you?”
“Nope. I’m all in,” I assured him, and anyone else who doubted me.