Page 31 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

Seth and I work most of the weekend and manage to get quite a few more bookings for the hideaway weekend.By Tuesday afternoon, I’m exhausted.

“I think you fell asleep,” Seth says.

“No.I’m resting my eyes.”I almost took my laptop and sat on the couch in the back corner, but I was afraid I’d really fall asleep.Maybe the hard chairs didn’t help.

“You should take off early today.”

I blink my eyes open.“Seth, are you trying to get rid of me?”I give him a grin.

He chuckles.“No.But I don’t want to work you to death either.Go, take a nap.Read a book.Do something relaxing.”

I stretch my foot out and find his knee.“I can think of a few relaxing things we can do.”I wiggle my eyebrows to show I’m joking, but maybe not.

He squeezes my foot before pushing it away.“Seriously.Go.”

I nod and stand.I don’t think I can stare at the screen for another second.“I’ll be back first thing in the morning.We’re making such good progress, and I don’t want to lose steam.”

“Me neither.See you tomorrow morning.I’ll bring Mom’s muffins.”

“Only if they are chocolate chip.”

“They are always chocolate chip.I told Mom they were your favorite.”

I probably have a stupid smile on my face as I leave the office, and I barely know where I’m going.I wonder if I’d feel this giddy about him if we could actually be together.Probably.

“Mae,” someone shouts, and I flinch.I blink, and dread pools in my stomach.I plaster on a fake smile.“Rick, what are you doing here?”

He stands there holding a bouquet of cheap gas station red roses, carnations, and a wilting sunflower.“I thought I’d surprise you.”

“I’m definitely surprised.”I take the flowers, and he pulls me into a hug.I expect him to let go after a second, but he holds me longer than he used to.His body is warm next to mine, and his arms fit perfectly around me.I breathe in the scent of Old Spice and sigh.I did miss him.

He lets go and gives me a sheepish smile.“We should talk.”

I gesture toward a narrow dirt path that winds down to the river.The sun peeks through the trees, and the sound of rushing water fills my ears.After spending days cooped up in the stuffy office with Seth, I want to stay outside.

Rick doesn’t say anything for a moment, and for the first time in a while, I find myself missing what we had.Things with Rick weren’t always easy, but it was comfortable.And safe.

“Why did you come?”I ask.

He shakes his head.“Your dad called me and told me how much you missed me.I thought maybe we could work something out.I didn’t mean what I said.You’re beautiful, and you’re definitely smarter than me.”

I clench and unclench my fists.“You made me feel like I wasn’t good enough.”That I could never be what he wanted.

He stops and runs a hand over his face.“I know.It was stupid.That trip to D.C.where I hung out with a few of the senators, they basically told me what I needed my wife to be if I wanted to be successful, and it was everything you weren’t.I know I said you were not pretty or savvy enough, but that’s not what it was.They said I needed to marry a woman who had political connections and a plastic surgeon on speed dial.Then they gave me a list of women that fit that bill.”

And that’s supposed to make me forget his words and take away the pain he caused?He can’t be serious.

All I can do is stare at him.“Wow, that makes me feel so much better,” I say dryly.

His face relaxes.“Oh.Good.It was stupid.I miss you.I don’t want anyone else, Mae, just you.We’ll make our way in D.C.You are amazing, and you’ll talk circles around all those wives with connections and plastic surgeons.I’m sorry.Can we try again?”

Rick had never, ever apologized to me.Although to be truthful, he never had to before.That fight was the first big one we ever had.His apology is refreshing and sweet, and I probably should give him another chance.I lay a hand on his arm.“Can I think about it?I’ve had a lot on my mind, and you kind of just sprung this on me.”

His eyebrows lower, and his jaw tenses as he lets out a frustrated sigh, but he nods.“Can we at least do dinner tonight?”

“Of course.Where are you staying?”

“Your dad’s house.”

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