Page 8 of Burly and Obsessed

“Are you in the middle of something?” Leesa asks, her voice tight with stress.

“Just looking through old photos.” I set my wine aside. “What’s up?”

“We have another wedding crisis.” She sighs, the sound heavy with exhaustion. “The florist called. Their delivery van broke down, and they can’t bring the arrangements tomorrow.”

My stomach tightens. “Please tell me we don’t have to recreate forty centerpieces by hand.”

“No, thank God. But someone needs to drive out to Raytown to pick everything up.” Her voice takes on that careful tone that immediately makes me suspicious. “The thing is, there are a lot of arrangements. More than would fit in my car or yours.”

I see where this is going. “Leesa...”

“Ace has a truck,” she says quickly. “And I already asked him if he could do it.”

“Of course you did.” I stand up and pace across my living room, unable to stay still.

She acts innocent, but I can hear the smile in her voice. “He’s agreed to go. All we need is you.”

I walk the length of my small living room, phone pressed to my ear. Yesterday’s awkwardness with Ace still hangs over me. The invitation, my refusal, the hangdog look in his eyes when I walked away.

“This is your brother’s wedding,” Leesa reminds me gently. “I wouldn’t ask if there were another option.”

The frustration wars with that stubborn hope that refuses to die. The part of me that wonders if a long drive away from my brother’s watchful eye might be exactly what we need. Because I know there are other people Leesa could ask, but she’s deliberately throwing Ace and me together again.

“Fine,” I sigh. “But you owe me.”

“You’re the best!” The relief in her voice makes me smile despite myself. “I can’t thank you enough for helping with everything. This wedding would be a disaster without you.”

“That’s what sisters are for, right?” I say, warmed by her gratitude.

“Not just sisters. Friends.” Her sincerity touches me. “I mean it, Andrea. Everything you’ve done—the decorations, and now this. It means the world to me.”

“You’re welcome. I’m happy to help. What time should I meet Ace?” I ask, my voice steadier than I feel.

“He said he could pick you up at nine? That way, you can head straight to Raytown, and be back before it’s too late. Really, it’s just a lot of driving.”

I sigh and sit back on my couch. As much as I like Ace, I’m not sure spending so much time with him is a good idea, because it just reminds me of how much I want him and how much he never does anything about the obvious attraction between us. But, this is Leesa, and she’s marrying my brother, so I can’t say no. “I’ll be there.”

After we hang up, I refill my wine glass, and the evening stretches before me. The silence of my home suddenly feels oppressive. I pick up my phone again, hesitate, then open Pinterest and navigate to my private wedding board. The one I started in college and have never shown a soul.

I’ve been adding pins for years, collecting pieces of a future I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl.

I tap on an image of a couple dancing under string lights, their faces tilted toward each other. That’s what I want. Not just the dress or the flowers or the party. I want that look. The certainty that I’ve chosen a wonderful man, he’s chosen me, and we’re committed to building a loving life together.

My fingers hover over the screen, tracing the couple’s silhouette. This is what I deserve. What I’ve always deserved. And I’m ready to find it—with or without Ace Lincoln.

CHAPTER 4

ACE

Pass me that two-by-four.” I point without looking up from the corner joint I’m securing.

Cody slides the lumber across the scaffold. The predictable weight of it feels good in my hands.

The cabin’s taking shape nicely. Damien circles the perimeter, checking our work.

My nail gun feels heavier than usual. I position it against the beam, squeeze the trigger, and miss the mark completely. The nail skitters off at an angle.

“Shit.” I realign and fire again. Perfect this time, but the mistake sits wrong.

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