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  “Oh, and TJ mentioned something to Brock about it, I hope that’s alright. You know TJ, he just figured, the more the merrier … And we’re all friends, right?” He gave me a halfhearted hug, said, “See ya,” and turned to join his family.

  Fuck … inviting Brock really threw a wrench in my plans.

  Chapter 10 – Gaby

  I was singing along to Carrie Underwood as I frosted five dozen cupcakes, hips shaking and head bobbing as I worked, when Suzy, one of the part-time workers at the bakery, came back into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Gabs, it’s pretty slow right now, is there anything I can help you with?” she asked hopefully. She was a few years younger than me, and was working here while she went to school full time. She was a sweet girl and a hard worker.

  “Yeah, you can punch out the pictures so that we can apply them to the cupcakes when I’m done,” I responded. The cupcakes were for the opening of a new salon in town. The owner had requested the cupcakes say, KEEP CALM AND WAX ON. She was planning to pass them out along with coupons for a free wax. I thought it was a pretty cute idea. I’d printed them on edible paper, and would adhere them to the frosting.

  We worked side by side, singing and dancing while we got the cupcakes ready, and before I knew it, we were done.

  “Thanks for your help,” I said to Suzy as we boxed up the treats. “We got it done much faster than I’d planned on.” I grinned at her and asked, “Want a water?”

  “Sure,” she said with a smile. She was small like me, but while I was fair and blonde, she had a dark pixie cut and caramel-colored skin.

  “Hey, are you interested in picking up some extra shifts this weekend?” I asked, thinking about the lake.

  “Yeah, sure, school’s closed for the holiday, and I could use the money.”

  “Cool, I’ll clear it with Kat, and let you know,” I said, excited that she was available. I was really looking forward to a weekend away with my friends.

  “Cool,” she echoed before going back out to the front of the store.

  We’d be closing soon, so I cleaned up the kitchen and put my whites away, then headed back to talk to Kat.

  I chuckled when I rounded the corner and saw her typing furiously, surrounded by stacks of files and papers.

  “Kat,” I said softly, not wanting to startle her.

  Kat blinked a couple times, then focused on me.

  “Hey, Gaby, what’s up?”

  I walked in and eased myself into the loveseat next to her desk.

  “My friends are going to the lake for the holiday weekend, and I wanted to see if I could get some time off. I’ll still work Friday, but talked to Suzy, and she’ll cover me on Saturday and Sunday. Then we’re closed on Monday,” I explained. Even though I knew she’d give me the time off, I still wanted her to know that I wouldn’t leave her high and dry.

  “Yeah, sounds fun. You deserve a getaway with your friends,” Kat replied. “You never did say … how’s Scott holding up?”

  I thought about the last time I’d seen him, at the bar the other night. He’d seemed in pretty good spirits until the end of the night. “I think he’s doing well. He’s sad to have hurt Victoria, but he’s happy with his decision.”

  “That’s good. Just give him a little time, and he’ll be back to his old self again. It’s hard to take a step back and change the person you’ve become, but he’s on the right track.”

  I nodded as I let her words sink in. Scott had been changing. He’d been becoming more like his father, who’d rather give in to a situation than make waves, but I knew that there was more to him than that. Scott was a smart, strong, independent man; he’d just forgotten it over the last few years.

  I thanked Kat again, then headed out to see if Suzy needed any help closing up shop. When I walked into the front, I was surprised to see Brock leaning on the display case talking to Suzy.

  “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming in today,” I said, giving him a smile. He looked handsome in worn jeans, a Pink Floyd T-shirt speckled with paint, and an old ball cap covering his unruly hair.

  Brock turned and gave me a grin that could make a woman melt, and I chuckled softly when I heard Suzy sigh. “There she is,” he said as I walked near. “Suzy said you were probably talking to Kat, so she and I were chatting about the new salon opening. Wax on, huh?” Brock laughed as he moved his hands like Mr. Miyagi.

  “Yeah,” I replied as I laughed out loud with him. He had a full-bodied laugh that sounded wonderful, and was highly contagious. “What do you have going on today?”

  “On my way to a meeting about the condo job, but thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing. TJ invited me to go to the lake with you guys,” Brock started, his eyes trained on my face. I wasn’t sure if he was wondering why I hadn’t invited him, or to gauge my reaction that TJ had.

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. On one hand, he was totally awesome, and I liked spending time with him. We were sure to have a blast. On the other hand, we weren’t at the stage in our relationship where going on a trip together was a good idea. Would he expect to sleep in the same room with me?

  I didn’t know what to say, so I said, “Oh, yeah? Cool.”

  What an idiot.

  Brock looked at me, his expression unreadable, and continued, “I told him that I have to work on this condo project, or else I’d love to go.” I felt the tension leave my body, then immediately felt guilty about it. “But … TJ did say that you’re doing a big barbecue on Sunday, so if it’s okay with you, I can drive up Sunday morning, around nine … stay for the barbecue, then head home Sunday evening, or Monday morning.”

  “That sounds great,” I responded. And it really did. He was taking the fact that I wanted to take things slow into consideration, and not assuming anything. “It should be fun!”

  “Great,” Brock said, leaning down to kiss me on the cheek. “See you soon.”

  I watched as he walked out and got into his truck. He gave a two-finger salute, then drove off down the street.

  “Wow,” Suzy said dreamily. “That is the definition of a man right there.” I giggled and she continued, “I mean, if you look up man in the dictionary, there’d be a picture of Brock right next to it. I don’t know how you can control yourself around him, Gaby. I mean, if he looked at me the way he looks at you, I’d be all over him like white on rice. Just sayin’.”

  I smile absently at her words as I worried over the fact that Suzy had such a strong reaction, but I did not. Maybe I could change that.

  I liked Brock. And I liked spending time with him. But only one person had ever made me gush over him in that way, and he was currently on the rebound from a long and serious relationship.

  I had to wonder if it would ever be the right time for Scott and me, or if I was foolishly holding on to the past. Maybe I needed to move forward with Brock. Give him a real chance. One hundred percent of my focus, and not just what was left over from my ongoing hope that one night, six years ago, would eventually turn in to something more.

  I vowed to keep Scott in the friend zone. This weekend, and in my mind. I wanted to settle down and have a family someday, and that would never happen if I continued to keep guys at arms’ length while waiting on something that was never going to happen.

  Chapter 11 – Scott

  I took a pull of my beer, my leg bouncing under the table as I waited for TJ and Cal to place their order. When the waitress finally walked away, I looked up to see them both staring at me.

  “What?”

  “You,” TJ responded.

  “What about me?” I asked, confused.

  “You’re peeling the label off your beer and rocking the whole fucking table with your leg,” TJ replied.

  “What are you nervous about?” Cal asked, then his face turned worried. “You’re not going to tell us that you’re back together with Victoria are you?”

  “What?” I asked with a scowl. “No … that’s over, Cal. For good.”

  Cal’s face brightened
considerably. He leaned back in the booth and shrugged, “What is it then?”

  I figured the best way to tell them was to just spit it out. Once we got to the lake, it was going to be obvious that I was pursuing Gaby, so I thought it best to give them a heads up, so they didn’t freak out. Plus, shit … I was nervous, and I’d decided that if anyone could give me advice on relationships it was these lovesick dogs right here.

  “Alright … don’t freak out on me. I know you’re going to say it’s too soon, but I’m going after Gaby this weekend at the lake. That’s why I put this whole trip together.”

  They both looked at me, jaws slack.

  Cal recovered first. “You’re right, it is too soon. You were with Victoria for years, and you just called off your engagement a few weeks ago. Gaby is not your rebound girl.”

  Before I could respond to that, TJ butted in, “What the fuck does go after Gaby mean? What about Brock?”

  I knew that TJ would think of his friend, but he had to know that I had nothing against the guy … But Gaby was mine.

  “Look, TJ, I have nothing against Brock, he’s a good dude. I’ve seen what he’s done for you and Cal, and he’s always treated Gaby right. But they’re not serious, so I don’t feel like I’m stepping on his back to get to Gaby.” I looked at my friends, desperate for them to see where I was coming from. “You both know about me and Gaby … We have a history, and although things haven’t worked out for us so far, I think now might be the time. She’s the one, guys. I’m happiest when I’m with her … I actually like the man I am when I’m with her.”

  “So, you want her because she makes you feel better about yourself?” Cal asked, his question cutting me to the quick.

  “Do you really believe that I’d do that? You know me better than anyone,” I asked, anger apparent in my voice.

  Cal’s dark eyes deepened, and he shook his head. “Shit, no, Scott, that was a dick thing to say, but this is Gaby. She’s my family too, and I don’t want you to come after her, fresh off your breakup, unless you’re absolutely sure.”

  “Yeah, man … I’m not gonna lie, the thought of you two together makes me all tingly and shit,” TJ said, “but I don’t want either of you to get hurt. You have to be a hundred percent on this, and it has to be for the right reasons.”

  “It is,” I assured them. “It’s always been Gaby, I just never thought she’d go for a guy like me. She could do so much better, but I’m hoping she doesn’t. I’m hoping she feels for me the way I do for her. Prom night was amazing. And not because of the sex. I mean, shit … neither of us had a clue what we were doing. It was everything else. We stayed up all night talking. She gets me, and I get her, and I know that she is the woman that I want to wake up to every day.”

  Cal and TJ looked at each other, then back at me, both of them breaking out into excited grins.

  “Shit, this will make Shelly lose her mind,” Cal said with a chuckle. “She’s been shipping you two ever since she found out about prom night.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” TJ asked with a puzzled look on his face.

  “Some chick shit, never mind,” Cal replied, quickly changing the subject. “What’s your plan?”

  I waited while the waitress gave us each another round, then looked at the best friends a guy could ever wish for.

  “My plan was to pick her up and drive there together, then spend the weekend showing her what life together could be like,” I said, then narrowed my eyes at TJ. “Then someone had to go and invite Brock along for the weekend.”

  “Sorry, dude,” TJ said with a shrug. “How was I to know you were planning to go all Notebook on Gaby this weekend. I’m not a mind reader.”

  When Cal and I just looked at TJ, he asked, “What? Sasha made me watch it. It was actually a pretty good flick.”

  I just shook my head then replied, “I know, it just makes things more difficult. I’m not trying to make an enemy for life, or mess thing up between you guys and your friend, but I’m not waiting around any longer. I’m willing to fight for her in any way that I have to.”

  “You said there’s that country bar down the road; we’ll take the girls dancing. You know how Gaby loves to two-step,” Cal said. Since he’d planned eight romantic dates to get Shelly to fall for him again, when their marriage was about to fail, I figured he knew what he was talking about, so I listened. “Plus, you know she loves bonfires and s’mores and stuff, so make sure you pick up everything we’ll need to make that happen.”

  “Maybe a picnic, just the two of you,” TJ added. “We can find something else to do on Saturday, leave you guys alone … You can suggest a picnic and a swim or something. Girls like to see guys half naked and wet.”

  I just looked at him.

  “What?” TJ asked with a grin. “Shit’s true … I’ve got proof.”

  I just shook my head at him, about to say something sarcastic, when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw it was Gaby.

  I answered it, “Hey, Gabs, what’s up?”

  “Hi, Scott, I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

  “Not at all, I’m actually having a drink with Cal and TJ.”

  “Oh, tell them I said hi.”

  “Gaby says hi,” I said to the guys.

  TJ winked and yelled out, “Hi, Gaby!”

  This caused her to laugh quietly in my ear, which caused the blood to rush out of my head. Her voice sounded breathy and soft.

  “Anyway, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that I talked to Kat, and I’m good to go to the lake this weekend. Are you still good with picking me up after work on Friday?” she asked.

  “Yeah, of course, but … won’t you be riding with Brock?” I asked, then silently cursed myself for such a stupid suggestion. What if she changed her mind and I lost that quality alone time with her.

  “Oh, no … Brock’s got work, so he isn’t coming up until Sunday morning. He said he’ll be there around nine in the morning, stay for the barbecue, then probably head back.”

  I fist bumped like a tool, but tried to keep my voice casual.

  “Okay, sounds great. I’ll pick you up around three o’clock on Friday.”

  “Thanks, Scott. I’ll see you then. Bye.”

  “Later, Gabs.”

  I hung up the phone and grinned wickedly at my friends. My brothers. “I’ve got forty-two hours to convince her that this is our time.”

  Chapter 12 – Gaby

  I was all cleaned up and waiting for Scott to pick me up from Bee Sweet. While I waited, I went through a mental checklist to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything:

  Bathing suits. Check. A bikini for sunbathing and swimming, and a sporty one-piece just in case there was volleyball or kayaking or something.

  Outfit for country bar. Check.

  Shorts and tank tops for the rest of the weekend. Check.

  Toiletries and toothbrush. Check

  Razor. Check.

  Phone charger. Check.

  Playlist for the drive. Check.

  As I ran through everything, I felt a nagging suspicion that I was missing something, but when I saw Scott pull up in his sexy BMW, I pushed the thought to the side and opened the door to meet him outside.

  “Hi,” I said cheerfully. I was beyond excited to be getting out of town for a few days. I loved road trips.

  “Hi, yourself,” Scott said just as happily. He popped the trunk and took my duffel bag from my, putting it in the back and closing the hood. “You ready?”

  “Absolutely,” I yelled out with a laugh, as I got into the passenger seat.

  “Well, let’s get going then,” Scott responded with a wink. I hadn’t seen him in such a good mood in a long time. This weekend was going to be a good thing for all of us.

  “Tunes?” I asked him, waving my iPhone in the air.

  “Turn it up,” Scott replied with a grin.

  I hooked my phone up to his sound system, and scrolled through my music until I reached the LAKE HOUSE PLAYLIST. I h
it play and Blake Shelton’s latest came through the speakers. I’d decided on a Country playlist, because listening to country always reminded me of high school. That had been our music of choice, and it still made me think of Scott when I heard it. I figured it was something we could both enjoy, and would get us in the mood for the bar tonight.

  We road in comfortable silence for a few miles, listening to the music and watching the town pass by. Once we were out on the open road, Scott turned to me and asked, “Hey, Gaby?”

  I rolled my head along the headrest to face him. My shoes were off, and my feet were on the dash.

  “Hmmm?” I responded, lazy and content.

  “The other night, at the bar, right before the band started…. You came back from the bathroom, looking all flushed and embarrassed. Then you downed TJ’s beer… I’d meant to ask you about it then, but the music came on, and we all got distracted. Did something happen?”

  I flushed at his question, as I remembered the scene that had gotten me all flustered.

  “Oh… God… I just,” I felt like such a child, I could barely even talk about it, and it wasn’t as if I’d walked in on them having sex or anything. “I ran into Brock’s brother Brendan … The lead singer. Anyway, he and some girl were going at it pretty hot and heavy in the hallway.”

  “Oh,” Scott looked at me suddenly, then cleared his throat and looked back out the windshield. “So you were embarrassed?”

  I let out a nervous laugh and admitted, “Yeah, because I was taken by surprised, and I kind of, um, stood there and watched for a minute. Then, Brendan caught me, and said hi, like it was no big deal. I just felt like a prude.”

  “Hmmm,” Scott began, as if unsure what to say next. “Have you never been in that situation before?”

  I averted my eyes, then responded softly, “What? Practically having sex in a bar? No.”