Page 44 of Hide and Peak

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That damn pixie got me right in the chest with that gift. I knew it was from her. I had thanked her, sent her a text that night.

Henry

You bought me a lemon tree.

Who is this?

You know who this is, Pixie. This sourpuss thanks you.

No clue who this is. Merry Christmas.

I still don’t know why she sent it, but that lemon tree sits in my kitchen to this day, and every Christmas, just enough blossoms turn into the fruit that so often reminds me of her.

There have been times where we end up alone together and don’t realize it right away. I try to be the person to set it right and leave. But leaving those private minutes with her just keeps getting harder. After all this time, it should be easier. Every year, I have a weak moment when I like to tease her in some incredibly inappropriate way and push her to cave. Throw her caution tape aside and trust that I’d never do anything to put her in danger. But as infrequently as it happens, it does a number on me, and I’m left with an emptiness.

My life is a successful one, productive, happy even, but it’s not fulfilling. I’m confident enough to admit it. My life feels like I’m just waiting for something. I’ve realized that something is a someone. And it’s her.

The boom of the DJ changing the song brings my attention back from the past.

“We’re like oil and vinegar. We don’t mix,” I say to Michael.

“Yea, but when you shake those two things together, like really shake them up, they do. And when they mix, it’s pretty darn good.”

Fucking Michael and his damn poetic moments.

“See ya later, man. I’m heading home. Give Jack an extra back slap for me. Great night, by the way. Law was right about the curated adventures. It’s damn smart. Even yours, with the boozy sleigh ride. It’s too slow for my speed, but I’ve got plenty of names who will want it, hands down.”

I snicker at that because it wasn’t my idea, the sleigh ride. That was G. All those years ago, when my brother asked her if she skied or boarded, she had a great idea and it never left me.

Law remembered it too. As much as my baby brother can still get under my skin, he’s got great ideas and the persistence to make those ideas happen. A flex he’s grown into. He managed to do it with Everly by pushing forward her designs for apparel into a substantial part of our business. She’s moved it to her own company now, but it was Law who amplified it to the point of success. He’s got a knack for this business. More than I do, and as much as people might assume I’ll take the company over, it’s more in his wheelhouse to let it soar.

I glance back one more time to Giselle, making sure she’s not too drunk to deal with the guys that are pawing her at the bar. She’s sober enough, clearly basking in the attention. It’s not unwanted, but hands coasting along her hips and fingertips grazing her shoulders are my cue to leave. Get the hell out of here before I start swinging, because for some reason tonight, I’m in the fighting mood.

23

Giselle

“Lick it!I said, lick it already!” I’m knocked back into the moment, too many memories clawing their way in my mind, but whenever I hear the word “lick,” Henry Riggs is the only face I see. Damn tease. “Lick it, G! You’re staring at that salt on your wrist like it’s hypnotized you,” Everly yells over the thump of the bass and the muffled sounds of the crowd. She’s sweaty, her makeup shiny, and her hair looks like a hot mess under the short veil I made her wear.

My best friend in the entire world is shit-faced, and every moment of it is pure magic. Gone is the buttoned-up businesswoman who just started her own damn empire designing athleisure apparel and accessories. Instead, she’s been transformed into a hilariously fun and very drunk bride-to-be. While she argued with me that a bachelorette party was stupid since she was, in fact, already married, I told her it didn’t count since I wasn’t at their ceremony.

Everly Riggs found the love of her life two years ago, and though she would tell me or anyone who asked that he came out of nowhere, the fact of the matter is, she put her want for it out into the universe. She was ready for that big kind of love. The kind that’ll ruin you if it’s not nurtured properly or found with the right kind of person. And Jack, well, Jack is an arrogant billionaire, but I like him. It took him a little while to figure his shit out, but after messing it up and working his ass off to fix it, he got to marry her. Lucky asshole. She’s a damn catch. And I don’t just say it because we’re friends. Nope, Everly is the real deal. Like the best parts of every diva you could think of wrapped into a hot-ass package who would go to bat for any person she loves.

Goddess knows she’s gone to bat for me countless times over the years. Even in ways she might not even know. The girl gave me more than a glimpse of a family; she invited me to dinner and made a permanent place for me there every Sunday and even during holidays. I folded into the Riggs family easily and with appreciation they’ll never begin to understand.

But now, Everly has her new extended family with Jack. They decided to elope right before the holidays. They “wanted their vows to be for each other and the party to be for the ones they love.” Her words. I was a little annoyed that I wasn’t the Maid of Honor, not able to do all the traditional things like a bridal shower and rehearsal dinner. I’ve accepted the fact that those things are not in the cards for me, but I had hoped I’d be able to experience them through my best friend. The consolation is that we do get to celebrate. And if there is one thing the Riggs family can do with serious swagger, it’s throwing a helluva party. In a couple of days on New Year’s Eve, Jack and Everly are hosting a huge bash to celebrate their nuptials with everyone they love, and we’ll do it while ringing in the New Year.

Tonight, however, we will drink until only bad decisions are fulfilled. We will celebrate my girl, all parts of her that are fabulous and fun. And tomorrow, we’ll hate ourselves for self-inflicting such massive hangovers.

“Lenny! Lenny-fucking-McKenna, please tell me you are going to have another shot with us before we get up on that bar and show this place how to properly draw attention,” I yell to the already very wasted town loudmouth. While she loves to stir the pot in Strutt’s Peak, she’s also one of those people that would have your back in a minute. Gracie is somewhere around here too, albeit quietly judging all of us in a corner.

“G, I love you with all of my heart, but I am not getting on that bar.” Everly hiccup-laughs through her words.

“Fine, I need a better view of the delicious men in this place tonight anyway. Help me scope for a minute, and then I’ll let you out of this.” I’m lying. Her ass is getting on that bar.

“I spy with my little eye two guys wearing just the right amount of tattoos in the far back corner,” Everly says.

“Oooo, I like this game.” I take a look. There’s one sizing up Gracie and the other gazing out over the crowd. Everly and I look at each other. Gracie is only twenty and doesn’t know how to handle that kind of attention yet.


Tags: Victoria Wilder Romance