“Yep.”
“They smell delicious. I’ll take a break in a few minutes.”
The timer goes off, giving me an easy escape. With the cookies cooling, I go for a walk around the lake. The luxury cabins, the isolation the mountains offer…they’re wonderful, but they’re temporary, for me. I’m living someone else’s dream, and it’s good for me to remember that.
As much as it’s great for Carson and Nathan to want me to themselves, our arrangement will be over in a few days. I’m taking the job at the bar. I’ll stop by and let Mammoth, the bartender know. It wouldn’t hurt for me to hang out there for a little bit and make some friends. Real friends who want me for more than their sex toy.
Not that I’m complaining. My worry is how any guy will measure up to what my growly bears have given me. Walking along the edge of the lake, I watch as chipmunks scurry out of my path. I’ll miss this place, and how they call me Goldie. I chuckle in disbelief that I’ve hooked up with two guys. Imagine if the Goldilocks theme had held, what would it have been like to have three growly bears?
“Zoe,” A deep, could-be-growly bear voice calls from one of the houses. I tamp down hope that I could find out what getting taken by three men would be like when I turn the direction of the sound and land my gaze on a shirtless version of Jayce, the guy Madison told me about. He’s on his deck, his hand raised as he draws my attention in case the mouth-watering chest and abs weren’t enough to draw me in.
How does he know my name?
“Hi.” I wave and keep walking. Definitely growly bear material, but I won’t be sampling him. Madison’s claimed that fairy tale.
“Do you have a minute?” His question stops me. Nothing more than politeness so I can respond, but in an alternate reality where naughty happily ever afters existed in a secluded mountain neighborhood, I’d have a lot of minutes available for him.
I cross the street and crane my neck. “Sure, what’s up?”
He looks to the side. “It’s about…” he lowers his voice. “Madison. I need a woman’s advice.”
“I’ll be right up.”
When I get to the top of the deck stairs, he rubs the back of his neck and clears his throat. “Hey, this may come across as kind of weird, but I want to do something nice for Madison.”
I’m expecting him to say more, and I’m also stunned by his admission, leaving an awkward silence.
“It’s my understanding she told you about our relationship…the three of us?”
I nod too enthusiastically. “Yes,”
“Okay.” He scrubs his hands over his face. “We don’t exactly have a typical relationship.”
A laugh escapes me and I mumble agreement. No judgment from me.
“I want to do something nice for her. Do you have any ideas?”
“Madison loves helping kids. She’s volunteering for some of the after-school activities. Maybe do one with her.”
Shit! What have I said? He’s staring at me like I’ve just proposed that he turn his entire company over to her.
“Sorry. That’s only if you are ready to go public with your relationship.” I certainly understand the need for secrets.
“I don’t know if she’s ready for that, but you’re right, she loves helping people. See, this is why I needed your advice. I was going to pull that Hollywood bullshit and have clothes picked out for a date and delivered to her in a big box.”
I crack up. “She’d like that too. You just might have to keep the date private until you’re ready for everyone to know.”
“Yeah, I like that.”
Her dad’s still going to kill her. That gives me an idea. “I don’t mean to overstep, but you and her dad don’t get along. That puts her in a tough spot.”
“That fucker. Always bitching about one thing or another.”
I hold my hands up. “If you truly care about her, you need to patch things up with her dad. Don’t make her choose.” Ugh, I thought not having to choose between Carson and Nathan was a dream, and it is, but not one I get to keep.
“You’re a fucking genius.” He wraps me in a giant hug, my face smashed into his chest.
“Oh no, you don’t, asshole.” Carson’s voice calls out unexpectedly.