Page 23 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

Lila

The invitation cameout of nowhere.

Nate, as usual, was full of enthusiasm and not even remotely aware of the landmine he’d just dropped into my lap.

“It’ll be fun, Lila! Fresh air, snow, good company… just what you need to break out of this rut.”

I stared at him, the words sticking in my throat.

Fun. Sure.

Because spending a weekend on a ski trip with Jaxon and Colt, the two men currently tied in a tug of war for my sanity, sounded like a recipe for anything but relaxation.

“I don’t know,” I said finally, twisting my fingers together. “I mean, you guys don’t want me tagging along, do you? It’s your annual thing.”

Nate rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone’s on board. Besides, when’s the last time you did something just for yourself? After everything you’ve been through…”

The last time I’d done something for myself had ended with Colt’s lips on mine and the memory burning a hole in my conscience. But I couldn’t exactly say that.

“I’ll think about it,” I hedged, but Nate was already grinning like he’d won.

“Great. You’ll love it, promise. And Biscuit can come, too. Fresh mountain air’ll be good for him.”

Biscuit, lying in his usual sprawl on the rug, perked up at the sound of his name. His stubby tail wiggled a few times, completely oblivious to the whirlwind inside my head.

I had plans for the day.

Chores, job hunting, unpacking.

But after what Nate had just suggested, I needed to get out, to clear my head, to stop thinking about Jaxon’s piercing gaze and Colt’s playful smirk.

“Come on, Biscuit.” I reached for his leash. “Let’s go for a walk.”

I’d forgotten how beautiful the Fernridge Trailhead was this time of year. Quiet, too.

The kind of place where you could hear the crunch of snow underfoot and the occasional chirp of a bird overhead. Biscuit trotted ahead, his little legs working overtime to plow through the powder.

He looked back at me every few steps, as if checking to make sure I was still there.

“Don’t worry, buddy,” I said, my breath clouding in the crisp air. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The trail opened up to a small overlook, the valley below dusted in snow like powdered sugar. I leaned against the wooden railing, letting the stillness settle over me.

Why was this so hard?

It wasn’t just the kiss. It was everything—being back in this town, trying to piece myself together after years away, and now being thrown into the deep end with Jaxon and Colt.

They were like fire and ice, each pulling me in a different direction, and I was stuck in the middle, unsure which way to turn.

Unsure if I should turn either way at all.

Biscuit barked, jolting me out of my thoughts. He was sniffing at a patch of snow, his tail wagging furiously.

“Find something good?” I asked, smiling despite myself.

We continued down the trail, back onto the main street in town, until the scent of warm sugar and maple drew me to Sweet Maple Bakery. Biscuit tugged eagerly at his leash, clearly as much of a fan as I was.

Inside, the familiar aroma wrapped around me like a hug. Mrs. Cooper, the bakery’s owner, greeted us with her usual cheery smile.

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