Page 19 of Miles Apart
I focus on the valley and the snow glittering on tree branches through streams of sunlight. Justice and I receive our instructions and set off on a trail with our assigned horse. Mine is Meadow, a spotted Appaloosa with a fabulous mane, who guides us deeper into the valley under blue skies. It’s not uncommon for me to complain about recreational outdoor activities that don’t include a penis, but this is nice.
My annual girls’ trip with Justice is the extent of my vacations. I travel often for work, shuffling between fashion events, but I don’t take time for myself like I should.
A man in a red cap trots up to me. He’s handsome in a rugged Chris Evans way, which is funny considering I told Justice when we arrived that I would find a mountain man.
How things change.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” I smile. I have no reason to be rude. Sunlight catches on his beard and the camel-colored hair peeking out of his cap. His blue eyes are the color of the sky, and he’s got a juicy lower lip and a crisp jawline.
Justice is farther back on the trail, grinning at me from ear to ear. Always the hopeless romantic.
“I’m Brian.”
“I’m—”
Not interested.
The thought summons a side-eye from Meadow, who’s wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
Wish I knew.
I entertain a friendly conversation before letting Brian down easy. There’s no denying what I want, and it’s not him.
“You’re not going out?” Justice adjusts her shirt dress in the floor-length mirror in the living area. Her Tinker Bell shape is perfect and will look even better with my thigh-high boots she’s borrowing for a date.
A date.
My girl is going out with the instructor from horseback riding. Preston’s name sure as hell didn’t match his face or his body. He’s fine. Tall. Dark hair. Olive skin. Muscular frame. He doesn’t look like he works at the resort, certainly not outside.
I can’t place where I’ve seen him before. But I know I never fucked him, so that’s a plus.
“I’m staying in for once,” I say, propped against the pillows I piled together on the chaise lounge.
Justice’s hand stalls. She sets down her blush and faces me. “Are you sure everything is okay? You seem…different.”
“How so?” I rub the same spot on my throat where Miles held as he fucked me silly with one of my vibrators.
She shrugs. “I don’t know, like you have a lot on your mind. If you want me to stay in, I can—”
“No. I’m alright, Jay.” Our stare reflects decades worth of friendship. We tell each other everything, which has made these last few days difficult. How do I share what I feel when it confuses me?
“It must be serious if it’s got you tongue-tied.” Justice takes a seat on the chaise next to me. She curls her legs under her, rests her chin on her palm, and waits.
I can’t help but laugh at how different we are. Justice thrives onFull Housemoments that end in a hug. She feels better, and I break out in hives. It took time for me to open up to her. I don’t exactly come from a household with loving parents who emulated a support system that made me feel safe. I have that with Jay, whose knowing grin says she understands.
“Fine.” I throw up my hands and surrender to a conversation I’m not ready to have, with myself or her. My lower lip sinks between my teeth as I wonder how much to share. Miles and I have only had two interactions at this retreat. Two. The first was a coincidence. The second…the second has my mind scrambling to make sense of why this man is still in it. Intercourse wasn’t involved, and he already has me undone.
“Should we order wine?”
“There is someone who has me…unsettled.” I frown at the stars in her eyes and roll mine. “Keep whatever you’re about to say to yourself if it’s—”
“What if you find your soulmate here?”
“Cheesy,” I finish. I’m revoking her Hallmark subscription.
I stop Justice from jumping up and down and ranting about divine intervention and love written in the stars. “Why don’t we talk about your date, Lady Soulmate.”
