I led her back toward the foyer, hand still firmly in mine.
Aspen leaned close as she looked around, a smile on her face. She seemed to like my family home, something I knew my mother would be happy about. Mom worked hard to make it feel inviting. She always complained about how my father’s parents were too concerned about wealth and status and the price tag.
My mom wasn’t afraid to pick things up from local artists and antique malls. She could haggle with the best of them and wasn’t afraid to drop money on pieces she instantly fell in love with.
“This place is beautiful, Cole. I didn’t expect it from the outside, but it’s full of life.”
“It is,” I agreed.
The pain and longing hit me hard as I looked around, too. I hadn’t realized how much I missed Pine Ridge. I loved the city and my life there, but home is home.
“And you’ve only seen a part of it,” I said. “I still have to show you our room and half the house.”
“Lead the way, boss man,” she teased, letting me pull her further down the hall.
“Obviously, you know the kitchen is that way. The room over here is the family room. It’s supposed to be a formal living room, but again, Mom’s never been the typical type.”
“I could see that about her,” Aspen grinned. “She has fire. I love it.”
“I think that’s why she likes you so much, too.” She smiled at that.
I couldn’t help but also see where she stood with the other two.
“You know, I’ve never seen North open up to anyone like that.”
Something in the look she gave me told me there had been more to that encounter than I realized, but I wasn’t going to press. Not that Aspen was the type to care if I did. She’d keep his secret and tell me to fuck off.
“Have you three ever talked about forming a pack?” she asked gently as I continued the tour. Her non-answer, was answer enough. She saw something there and he did, too.
What we needed was time to figure out what it all meant. We had plenty of that.
“No,” I admitted. “Maybe when we were still in high school. But even then I knew that I’d have to leave Pine Ridge to do anything with my career. I wanted something that I could take care of a pack with. I couldn’t find that here.”
“No,” she agreed with a sigh. “You likely couldn’t.”
Her eyes drank in everything I continued to show her. Mom had gone all out decorating for Christmas this year. Garland wrapped around every pole and railing in the house, swirling up the staircase. Lights sparkled in the windows around fluffy, green wreaths. Fake candles flickered on the shelves and tables.
Plus, she hadn’t even seen all of our Christmas trees yet.
We continued the tour through the formal dining room and up to the second floor where most of our bedrooms were. I walked toward my old room, knowing my mom would’ve set it up for us.
“This is where we’ll be staying,” I said, pushing it open.
Her eyes lit up as she looked around. There were still traces of the boy who left it behind. There was a stack of books neatly sitting on the desk, a mix of textbooks and old magazines. There were framed photographs on the walls, showcasing Pine Ridge in all seasons, plus some of my family.
North, Jack, and me throughout the years. We really had been close. A pang of guilt hit me and I realized this Christmas wasn’t just about me and her, but me reconnecting to my family.
Once upon a time we’d spent our summers out by the river and went to every state fair. We’d find any excuse to get out of the house.
My dads would take us on vacation every year, and of course North would be dragged along with us as we saw different parts of the world.
That guilt only got stronger. I’d spent so many years throwing myself into the magazine that I’d forgotten just how much I’d left behind without a second glance.
I startled when Aspen’s hand rested on my cheek, her eyes full of concern as she looked up at me.
“Are you okay?” she questioned. “I lost you there for a minute.”
I opened my mouth, planning to tell her that I was fine, but she narrowed her eyes and put a finger to my lips.
