Another Mazzy Monday (12 page)

“Maybe we could discuss something else,” I offer. “Like the reason we’re even here. Harley’s baby.”

Harley shakes her head. “My shower. My rules. I want to hear more about Mr. Dark and Dangerous. Does he ride a motorcycle? He dresses like it.”

“I guess so. I haven’t actually seen it yet.” I hold up my hand to display my engagement ring. “And I’m marrying someone else, remember?”

Harley glances over at the bar and then back at me. “That guy does not look like he cares one bit that you’re engaged to his brother.” Her eyes narrow. “As someone who is married to a man with three brothers I’d just like to say that I don’t think that’s normal. The Wilde brothers would never in a million years even consider going after each other’s girls. Tell me what’s going on?”

My chest is starting to constrict and I can feel a bead of sweat stream down the side of my face. I knew this fake engagement was going to be a complete disaster. Will everyone be able to see right through the charade just like Harley?

“Drew and his brother aren’t that close,” I spit out, but it sounds like a lame excuse, even to me.

Her eyes tighten to narrow slits. “Have you been leading Drew’s brother on?”

“No,” I insist.

When I glance over at my sister her jaw is flapping open and she looks absolutely incredulous. I know she won’t rat me out to anyone, but I can see by the look in her eye she’s not going to keep quiet either. “You know if you play with fire you’re going to get burned.”

I roll my eyes at her. “You couldn’t come up with a better cliché than that?”

“I think in this case it’s completely appropriate. How about if you lie down with dogs you’re going to get bit?”

“I think the saying is if you lie down with dogs you’re bound to get fleas.”

“Oh no, Sister,” she goads. “You’re definitely going to get bit.”

“Thanks for your support.”

“Sometimes the best support is telling your loved one what they don’t want to hear.”

I breathe a sigh of relief when Jake and Tucker march over with plates piled high with cake and ice cream for everyone. We all become focused on the party again.

When I sneak a peek over at Austin I can see that he’s still watching my every move. Surely there’s something more entertaining for him to do than watch me eat cake and ice cream and talk to my friends. But he seems extremely interested in everything about me. That makes me nervous and excited at the same time.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t relish the attention, but at the same time I know we’re both heading into very dangerous territory. My attraction to him is growing stronger every time I look at him and I know the next time we start kissing I won’t be able to resist his further advances.

“Mazzy,” my sister barks and it snaps me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I bite back.

She leans in close and hisses, “Stop staring at Austin.”

“I’m not.” My protest doesn’t even sound convincing to me. I know I can’t fool my sister.

“The two of you have been eye fucking since he walked in the door.”

I feign a look of shock. “I’ve been doing no such thing.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Whatever. You know you’re a terrible liar.”

Harley goes through all the traditional baby show rituals as she opens her myriad of gifts. I’m happy to see that Suzie purchased her a cute cradle swing from both of us.

After a round of photos, the small crowd of guests starts to dwindle and I know I should probably phone George for a ride back to the lake house.

As soon as Suzie is done giving Harley a big hug I give her one myself.

“Have you and Drew set a date for the wedding yet?”

I shake my head. “We want to wait until after the election before we start planning the big day.”

“Oh!” She takes in a breath. “Are you going to have it at the governor’s mansion? That would be awesome.”

I laugh. “He has to win the election first.”

Her eyes narrow. “How could he not with you at his side? You’re absolutely gorgeous.”

I frown. No one has ever told me I was gorgeous before and definitely not Harley. “Has pregnancy made you soft?”

“No,” she assures me. “You and Suzie are two of the most beautiful people I know. I really mean that.”

“Well coming from you that means a lot.”

“You have to let me know all of the details. And we’re having your bachelorette party here at Haymakers. I’m hosting it. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

I cringe inside. I feel like the tangled web I’m weaving with the fake engagement is getting more tangled by the minute.

“You have to let us know when the baby is coming. Suzie and I want to be there to celebrate JJ’s arrival.”

Harley gives me another hug and then hurries to acknowledge the rest of her guests before they leave.

“Do you need a ride back to the lake house?” Suzie asks me.

I shake my head. “No. George told me to give him a call and he’d pick me up.”

She glances at her watch. “Do you really want to wait that long?”

“I’ll take her,” Austin says as he joins us.

Susie narrows her eyes at him. “How much did you have to drink?”

“One beer,” he scoffs. “And it was Miller Light.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assure her.

She points a finger at me. “Remember what I said.”

“I will.”

“I’ll take good care of your sister,” Austin tells her. “Promise.”

Suzie still doesn’t look comfortable with the idea of Austin giving me a ride back, but she lets it go.

“Call me if you need anything,” she says as she gives me a quick hug.

“I will,” I promise.

Austin and I walk outside with Suzie. Once she’s takes off in her Ford Pickup Austin points to his motorcycle. “Ever been on one of those?”

I shake my head.

He grabs my hand and pulls me close to the bike. I like how sleek and sexy it is. “Just remember to keep your arms wrapped around my waist. Don’t let go.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Is this your way of getting me to touch you?”

His eyes are fixed on mine and he’s not laughing. “I don’t need a bike to get you to touch me. I can see in your eyes that you want me just as much as I want you.”

“You’re pretty sure of yourself,” I tease.

He shakes his head. “I’m sure of you.”

I try to swallow the large lump that’s swelled in my throat, but to no avail. He’s absolutely right. I do want him. I’m just scared out of my mind to act on it. There are too many things that could go very wrong. I consider the idea of phoning George instead. Maybe he’s the one who should be taking me back to the lake house.

Before I can suggest the alternative Austin slips the helmet on my head and pulls me onto the bike.

“Grab onto my waist,” he reminds me. “And remember not to let go.”

I do as I’m instructed and I have to admit that I like the way Austin feels in my arms. He’s strong and sturdy. All muscle. And I feel safe when I’m with him. I feel like he could protect me.

When he starts the engine it’s loud even with the helmet on. And when he takes off I quickly realize I’m not holding him tight enough and strengthen my grip so I don’t fall off the bike.

I enjoy the cool fall air on my face as we make our way through Old Town. But I’m a little surprised when we make a turn in the opposite direction of the lake house. We’re heading toward the mountains instead of the lakes.

I want to say something, but I know it will be in vain. There is no way Austin will ever be able to hear me over the road and engine noise.

As we head further out of town and further into the woods I take a few minutes just to enjoy the leaves that are turning orange and gold. Suzie and I are usually too busy to enjoy the fall colors.

Eventually Austin pulls on to a dirt road and I lean into his back to cover my face from all the dust he’s pushing up as we head down the pathway. When we finally stop we’re in front of a small log cabin. It’s one of a few that are nestled deep in the woods. I imagine that prior to Labor Day, these cabins are probably pretty popular, but this time of year we seem to be alone in the small camp.

After Austin helps me off the bike I stretch my legs. I can definitely feel a few muscles I haven’t felt in a while. Once the helmet I’m wearing is removed Austin smiles at me and asks, “How was it?”

“Better than I expected,” I admit. “But windy.”

He nods. “We’ll have to get you a bike jacket. And wearing jeans helps too.”

“A bike jacket, huh?” I smile. “Does that mean you expect me to ride on the back of your bike a lot?”

“A guy can hope.”

I glance over at the cabin. “What are we doing here?”

“I rented it for the night,” he replies.

I narrow my eyes. “And why would you do that?”

He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the cabin. “You’ll see.”

Once he unlocks the door and we head inside I take in a sharp breath. He must have been here earlier because there are white candles and red roses everywhere.

“If you’ll give me just a few seconds…” He grabs a lighter from the fireplace ledge and quickly lights all of the candles around the cabin. When I glance over at the bed I notice that he’s placed rose petals all over the comforter.

“I never pegged you as the romantic type,” I comment.

“I’m not usually,” he admits. “But I promised you that if you allowed me to be your first I’d make sure it was special.”

“This is amazing.” I take in a deep breathe. “And the place even smells like fresh flowers.”

Even though it is a bit on the rustic side with all of the candles lit, the cabin looks quite charming.

“Two more things,” Austin says. I watch as he throws some kindling and old newspaper into the fireplace. He seems to know what he’s doing because it doesn’t take long for him to have a roaring fire going.

“You’re pretty good at that.”

He laughs. “If you saw some of the places where I stayed while I traveled Europe you’d know why. When you barter for room and board you usually end up in places that make this cabin look like a mansion.”

“You really don’t take coming for a wealthy family for granted do you?”

He removes a bottle of wine from the small dorm size fridge they have in what serves as a kitchen area, but is really just a sink, microwave and tiny fridge.

I notice he grabs two plastic mugs from the cabinet above the sink, even though there are several glasses in there as well.

He opens the wine bottle and pours two mugs full. “Let’s sit by the fire.”

Once we’re seated on the lumpy old couch next to the fireplace he hands me one of the mugs of wine. “Let’s toast.”

“To what?” I ask.

“To firsts.”

We clink the mugs together and each take a sip of the wine. It’s fruity but has a bit of a punch to it. I didn’t get a chance to see the label before he put it back into the fridge.

“It’s good.”

“Nabbed another bottle from the wine cellar at the lake house.”

I enjoy the beauty of the fire for a few seconds. I can’t even remember the last time I was in front of one. Maybe when I was a kid and my sister and I went to Girl Scout camp.

“I haven’t touched my trust fund,” he says and it takes my attention away from the fire. When I look at him, he continues. “You mentioned me not taking wealth for granted. I’ve never touched any of the money my family gave me. And I probably won’t unless it’s for something really important. I haven’t needed to yet.”

“So you worked your way through Europe and didn’t rely on your inheritance at all.”

He nods.

“I’m not sure I’d be able to do that,” I admit. “Not that I’ll ever have any inheritance to even worry about. My dad has always been in debt. I don’t think he’ll even have the mortgage on his house paid off by the time he hits retirement age.”

“I’ve just seen too many of the guys that I went to high school and college with turn into real assholes because they’ve always had money to hide behind. And not even money they earned themselves, their parents’ money. I didn’t want to ever be a guy who can’t stand on his own without depending on his big, fat wallet.”

“Growing up in Old Town we really never ran into anyone like that. Some of the kids, like the Wilde brothers, came from families that were well off, but I wouldn’t call them wealthy. And their parents always made them work for everything they had. They all worked at Haymakers since they were able to work. Our dad put me and Suzie to work too. He’s the one who drove us to the pizza place the day after we turned sixteen so we could apply for our first jobs.”

“When you work hard for things I think you appreciate them more.” Austin takes a sip of wine then continues. “That’s a lesson my brother never seemed to learn. Not that he hasn’t worked hard to achieve some of his goals, but he also takes advantage of any assistance he’s been given. I also think he takes a lot for granted.”

“Let’s not talk about Drew,” I suggest. We both glance at the sparkling engagement ring on my finger.