Page 22 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“What about it?”

He holds my gaze.“If we cross this line, there’s no going back.”

Every time I’m near him, I can’t help but think of the things I want to do with him that are not of the friendship variety.I don’t know how to turn those urges off.It’s nice to know that he’s thinking the same way.

“There’s already no going back.”

He swallows.“Mae, I’m not staying here in West Virginia.”

I nod.“I’m okay with that.I mean, as long as you take me with you.”

He raises his eyebrows.I didn’t mean to say something that might scare him off, but he needs to know I’m serious.He told me that he’s heading to India in six months.It’s a place I’ve never wanted to visit because it’s way too crowded there.But Seth never stays anywhere very long.Being with him means it’d be harder to get established with a career, but I don’t really care much about that.I’m good at what I do, but I don’t love it.

“You would move to India with me?”

I hesitate and take a long breath.“Yeah.”

I would hate it.Every second, but I’d be with him, and that’s all I want at this point.It’s strange how one man can make me want only one thing.I guess I’d been willing to move to D.C.with Rick.This isn’t that different.Most of Great-Grandfather’s property is probably going to rot to the ground anyway because my dad doesn’t care.

Seth pulls me into a bone-crushing hug and drops his lips to my ears.“You completely undo me, you know that?Now, let me find out what my brothers did with my Bespoke sheets, and then we’re getting out of here to talk more about you moving to India with me.”

He gives me a quick kiss on the forehead and then disappears into the crowd.

* * *

Seth

“Son, we need to talk.”Keith intercepts me on my way to hunt down Mark and Levi.He stands eye to eye with me, a serious look on his face.Keith is very protective of Mae.She talked about how annoyed she was with how he treated the guys she dated in high school.And he’s adamant that she’s going to D.C.He’s not going to be happy about the moving-to-India idea.

“Sure,” I say and follow him outside and away from the lodge.I’m not used to dealing with fathers.In fact, in all my years, I haven’t met a single one.But I’ve known Keith since before I could walk.He and Dad have been friends since high school, and they’re practically inseparable now.I’m sure he’s seen the way things have been between Mae and me.We literally spend every second of every day together, and Keith is here all the time.

The crisp scent of pine and woodsmoke fills the air, mingling with the faint hint of flowers and greenery from the surrounding forest.With Mae, this would’ve been romantic.With Keith, it’s a little scary.

I’m not easily intimidated by other men.I can’t be with the career path I’ve chosen.But Keith.He was a second dad to me growing up.And while my own dad was kind and caring, Keith was more of the “School of Hard Knocks” type.My brothers and I worked harder for him than we ever did for Dad.He scared us.Though, thinking back now, I’m not sure why.He never laid a hand on us, but he was good at yelling and intimidation.

He doesn’t say anything for a moment.His fists clench and unclench.His nostrils flare.This isn’t good.All Mae and I did was dance, but even I know that’s not all we really did.We pretty much decided our futures were together, but there’s no way Keith could know that.

I don’t say anything.Perhaps he’s angry about something else, and I shouldn’t escalate whatever it is.

“You stay away from Mae.”His voice is low and angry but controlled.I understand that he doesn’t want us together, but at this point, there’s not much he can do about it.I don’t want to completely alienate him though.

“Sir, Mae and I have been friends for a long time, and we work together.I don’t understand.”

He snorts.“Don’t lie.I saw the way you looked at her.The way you held her.”He pauses.“Every Friday night, Mae dances with dozens of boys.She always holds them at arm’s length.But not you.”He jabs toward me.“You stay the hell away from her.”

No way in hell will anyone dictate my life like that.Or Mae’s, for that matter.She deserves to make her own choices.

“I have a lot of respect for you, but you can’t tell me what to do.Both Mae and I are adults.”

His nostrils flare, and he takes two steps closer to me, getting in my face.“I don’t care that you’re adults.Mae is still my baby girl, and you will respect me.You will not pursue her.”

“Yes, I will.I’m not some little boy you can push around.I will respect whatever boundaries Mae puts up, but this is between me and her, not you.”When I was younger, I did everything he told me to.A lot of life has passed since then.

He steps back and shakes his head.“I thought you might say that.Keep in mind that I don’t make empty threats.Green Bank wants to buy my land.They’ve been trying for years to put another dish up on that hill.”He points behind me to where Whisper Springs sits.“But I held out because I respect your dad.That satellite dish would ruin this place, and I know it.I’m tired, and I’m ready to retire.So, if I sold out now, your dad would be upset, but he’d understand.I know you’re trying to resurrect this place for your family, but if you don’t keep your hands off Mae, I’ll sign on that dotted line.”

My heart stutters.If he signs that contract, my father’s livelihood will be destroyed, and all my hard work will crumble to ashes.That hill is less than a mile from the main house.They would shut down the little wifi we have.That also means no cars unless they run on diesel.We’d be ruined.The rules on what is allowed and what isn’t are strictly based on distance from the big dish.If they are planning on building a second one, this would be too close.

“You wouldn’t do that to Dad.”

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