one
Wilder
“Pottery making? Do youreally think big, burly mountain men are going to make tiny clay pots on a wheel?” Oh, they’ll eat it up, being able to put their arms around a beautiful woman in the name of art. I’m just not going to agree with Aspen. Not yet, at least. As her best friend, it’s my job to keep her on her toes.
Being Aspen’s best friend isn’t exactly the relationship I want from her, but when she arrived in town six months ago with the dream of owning a successful mail-order bride company, I somehow ended up in the friend zone. It’s not that I mind spending every free moment with her—I just wish it were with her in my arms and in my bed.
“You’re kidding, right?” The stubborn tilt of Aspen’s chin is all the warning I get before she counts off all the reasons mountain men will love Date Night #5 in her newest selection for her company, which she’s calling Date Night in the Mountains. Instead of jumping straight into marriage, Aspen is offering a dating option before taking the big plunge. It’s actually a really good idea, and I’m the lucky son of a bitch she’s asked to try out the dates before listing them on her website. “Number seven—what guy in his right mind wouldn’t want to put his arms around a beautiful woman, sliding his wet fingers through hers in such a sensual way as they caress the clay as one?” Damn, when she puts it like that, it does seem like the perfect date night opportunity.
I grew up with a mother who loved every movie Patrick Swayze made, from The Outsiders to Dirty Dancing to my favorite, Roadhouse. So, of course, I know what movie Aspen is referencing. Just the thought of sitting behind her with my arms wrapped around her while our laced fingers work the clay makesmy shaft harden in my jeans—a position I always find myself in when I’m around Aspen.
Her shy smile was what first drew me to her. She was new to town and looked like she needed a friend. I became that friend, but now I want more—I want to be her friend, her lover, her everything.
“Okay, okay.” My arm instinctively wraps around her waist like it’s done a thousand times, only staying PG like usual, and not slipping into the X-rated version I want it to. “You’ve convinced me. All the women are going to eat up this date night idea. You’re going to give Sadie and her art workshop a boost in business.” That’s something else about my sweet Aspen—she wants to help out the other businesses in town. She’s already partnered with the Mountain Morsel Bakery and the bridal shop, Curvy by Design, to help grow all of their businesses. “I suppose you’re going to call it, You’re Making Me Swayze.”
Aspen absently runs her hands over my shoulders, deep in thought. “You know, that’s not half bad.” Aspen has given each of her date-night choices a quirky name, like tonight’s fake date we’re on, the lumberjack experience of axe-throwing at the local bar, which she has dubbed Got Wood? I can’t wait to try out her Happy Glamper date night for adventurous couples looking to make a weekend of it. Even in a camper with electricity, it’s still a little too early in the season for that option.
“Are you going to snuggle in the corner all night, or are we going to throw some axes?” I’d almost forgotten about my brother, Wayan, and his fiancée Fern crashing our fake date.
They excused themselves from the table about fifteen minutes ago to get a couple more drinks, but they’re back without drinks, both looking a little disheveled. I should feel bad for Dean and his brothers. They own the bar, but it seems all the horny couples sneak off to Dean’s office for a quickie. It’s gotten so bad that Dean has added a sign to the door of his office that reads "occupied" on one side and "unoccupied" on the other.
“We’re not snuggling.” Aspen jumps out of my arms so fast, making me wish I were an only child.
With a smirk, Wayan pulls Fern close, capturing her mouth in a long, deep kiss just to mess with me, knowing how I feel about Aspen and that I don’t have the same luxury of claiming her that he has with Fern. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Wayan looks over Fern’s shoulder, breaking the kiss. “Another one of my single brothers.” I follow Wayan’s gaze to where our older brother, Warren, is walking by. “What are you doing here, Warren?”
Warren’s eyes dart to the private room in the back. “I’m here for the book club meeting.” He levels his gaze on Wayan, daring him to make fun of the situation.
In all honesty, Wayan has every right to tease Warren and me. We were relentless in teasing him and his single status before he found Fern.
“Ah, the book club that the town librarian just happens to run.” Wayan keeps teasing Warren, and I can’t say I’m not relieved it’s directed at our older brother rather than at me anymore.
“Oh, that’s so sweet, Warren,” Fern says. “Are you going to ask her out on a date?”
Before Warren can answer, Wayan lifts his nose, sniffing the air around Warren, “What’s that smell? And why is your beard so shiny?”
I do a double-take and really look at Warren. He’s wearing black jeans and a black long-sleeve button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his forearm tattoos. I knew he had a crush on Marigold, the town librarian, but I never imagined he’d go so far as to join a book club to be close to her.
“It’s beard oil, you dick.” Warren walks past us, flipping Wayan off in the process.
“He’d better make his move fast,” Aspen says when Warren is out of earshot. “Marigold’s sisters stopped by my office earlier this week to ask about a group discount for signing up. I’m not sure whether Marigold knows about it or not.”
“Well, he’d better make his move fast, or it won’t just be his beard he’s oiling up alone.” Wayan’s not wrong, but Warren isn’t the only one who needs to make his move fast.
“Are we going to throw some axes?” I throw Wayan’s words back at him and just like that Warren and Marigold are forgotten, but I’m left wondering if I’ve waited too long with Aspen and will forever be in the friend zone.
two
Aspen
I’m not sure howmuch longer I can keep being only Wilder’s friend. I know it’s not one-sided, and I’m the onlyone who feels the attraction. But I can’t figure out why Wilder isn’t making his move. I’ve given him so many hints that he’s either not interested in me or I’m being too subtle.
The short skirt I’m wearing swishes from side to side as I step up to the designated throwing spot. I lift the axe over my head and feel the skirt ride higher on my thighs. I glance over my shoulder and find Wilder staring at my backside and the exposed skin of my legs. I’m a curvy girl with wide hips, a big chest, and a small waist. I’ve often wondered if I’m not Wilder’s type, but by the look on his face, I’m definitely his type.
“Close your mouth. You’re attracting flies,” I hear Wayan say to Wilder as I turn back to my target, wiggle my hips, stick out my chest, and toss the axe into the center for a bullseye.
I bite back a giggle as I walk to our table and find Wilder’s eyes eating me up with his desire.
Mission accomplished.
