“Your dad beat you to it.” I lean against the counter and watch while she slices a loaf of bread. “I’d offer to help, but?—”
“Oh, I remember,” she says with alaugh. “You’re great with numbers, but take-out was always more your style.”
“Not much of that up here.”
“Ha! That’s for sure. It takes a little getting used to,” Tessa says, “But I’d happily trade my weekly Thai takeout for my life here with Holt.”
Her face gets a dreamy look I don’t remember ever seeing on her before. It’s nice.
“I’m really happy for you,” I tell her honestly. “I’m not going to lie, I was shocked when you dropped out of school with less than a month to go, but I have to admit, you seem pretty happy here with Holt.”
The moment Luke and I arrived at their cabin, the love between the two of them was clear. I was surprised at first to see how much older he was than she, but then again…it made sense. After all, Holt is the same age as Luke and Tessa, and me are the same age, so…
But that’s different. Luke and I aren’t in a relationship. We’re just—what?
Working together? Yes
Fucking? Also, yes.
But we’re definitely not in a relationship. Not that the age gap would make a difference if we were. It clearly hadn’t impacted Tess and Holt in any negative way.
“Life is so good,” Tessa tells me. “And if you’d told me six months ago that I’d be living on a remote mountain, knocked up and engaged to a grumpy mountain man who also happens to be my dad’s best friend, having the most mind blowing sex you could ever imagine,” she leans in to whisper the last part conspiratorially before continuing, “well, I would have thought you were certifiable.” She laughs, and it’s the most contagious sound.
“Itispretty wild,” I say, but my mind is locked on something she said. “And the sex…” I reach across her and grab a slice of cucumber from the cutting board where she’s prepping vegetables. “It’s pretty good?”
“No.” Tessa drops the knife and spins dramatically to face me. “It’s fucking incredible, Lilly. Like, I can’t even tell you how freakin’ amazing it is to be with a man who knowsexactlywhat he’s doing.”
My face heats because I do know. Oh man, do I ever know.
Not that I can tell Tessa. I mean, not only am I sleeping with my boss at the jobshegot for me, but that boss also happens to be herdad.No. I can’t tell her.
“That sounds…well…I mean…”
“Oh, my god. I’m sorry. I totally forgotthat you’re a virgin and you and Barrett were waiting for marriage.”
“I’m not,” I blurt before I can think better of it. “I mean…I’m not a virgin,” I say, lowering my voice. “Not anymore.”
She tilts her head, examining me intently. After a few seconds, she blinks and says, “Really? When? With who?”
“I…it was…” I swallow hard and force my face to stay neutral. “Just a guy right after Barrett and I broke up.” Is it really a lie if I withhold a few details? “I just wanted to get it over with and…it wasn’t a big deal. I just thought that maybe if…wasn’t it you who told me I needed to have a fling to get over him?”
Oh my God. I need to stop talking.
“I did,” she says slowly. “But that was after you were…”
“Sorry to interrupt, doll.” Holt chooses that moment to join us. He flashes me a quick smile. “I was just wondering if I can help with anything? The steaks are almost done.”
Her face shifts before my eyes. The suspicion I was so sure was starting to register on her features is replaced with adoration as she looks at her mountain man. “No help needed,” she tells him. “We’re ready to go.”
“Great.” He kisses her on the lips, lingering a moment longer than is probably polite, but I don’t begrudge them anything. It’s clear they have a hard time keeping their hands off each other.
I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy for what they share together.
Sure, Luke and I can hardly keep our hands off each other, too. But that’s different. It’sverydifferent.
“Oh, come on.” Luke joins us in the kitchen, a plate of juicy steaks in his hand. “I thought I asked you two to keep it clean in front of me. I get it, you love each other,” he continues. “But I don’t think I need to witness it every fucking time.”
“Now, now,” I can’t help but laugh. “You can’t stop love, Luke,” I tease. “Even if it makes you uncomfortable.”
