Page 5 of Flirty Fall Fling

As I’m staring up at the sky, a star drops over the ridge. It’s the first one I’ve seen in years. I wish for the house to get repaired without me having to take desperate measures.

Just as I send that one to the universe, another star skips across the sky in the same area. I think about what else I want in life because it’s not often I get a twofer.

Love.

I push that wish away and settle for happiness instead.

2

JAMIE

My brother has started calling my escape from New York a reset.

He’s the one who suggested I escape to Pine Haven, Colorado, and gave me access to his mansion on the ridge he had bought and never used.

The mansion is ridiculous. The walls are made of glass, and the view isn’t like anything I’ve experienced in the world. I’ve taken countless photos, but my phone doesn’t do it justice. The bed is bigger than a California king. Last night, all six-three of me stretched diagonally across the mattress and slept that way.

I’ve already read two thriller books, and I’m bored out of my mind.

I sit up, knowing I’ll be living another day in silence. Some call it bliss, but it’s my personal hell. A man can only stare at a mountain view for so long before it starts seeming like a prison sentence.

What’s officially been told to the public is, I’m taking a much-needed vacation. The real story is that the board of the sports foundation I created ten years ago received more photos of me leaving parties with countless women whose names I’ve already forgotten. The board decided I was becoming more of a liability than a role model. I have a lot of rage about not being able to have a private life.

Since I arrived in Pine Haven, I’ve barely slept. It’s been years since I’ve dreamed. Or fallen in love. But somehow, the mountain air is supposed to heal me? Pfft.

I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to be bitter again today, but I’m already failing. I just don’t know how the fuck I’m supposed to survive seven more weeks of this. November can’t get here fast enough.

I take the cool marble stairs down to the kitchen to make myself a double shot of espresso before the sun rises over the peaks in the distance. The tiny town of Pine Haven sits in the valley down below, tempting me to visit. Maybe I’ll do that today.

After I finish my espresso, I get dressed and head into town to grab some food from the diner. I find a miracle parking space on Main Street and take advantage. As soon as I unbuckle, my phone buzzes, and I answer a FaceTime call from my brother.

“Oh, you finally left the house,” Patterson says before the phone’s even to my face.

“Good morning to you too.”

“You’re living the life,” Patterson tells me.

Behind him, his wife, Kendall, is talking to someone. I think it’s her dad.

“This fucking sucks,” I mutter, glancing around. “Zero out of ten stars. Do not recommend. I hate it.”

“How can you be grumpy in Pine Haven? Seriously? It’s one of the most magical towns in Colorado.”

I carry him out onto the street with me. It’s Labor Day, and the sidewalks are packed.

“I need to try this coffee shop,” I say, panning the camera around. “Antique shop. Wine bar that doesn’t open till four.”

“Keep going. Oh, what’s that purple place on the corner?”

I move the camera to give him a better look. The shop on the end glows soft violet out its front window. Bunched herbs and dried sunflowers hang above the door.

I stop walking. “It’s called Charmed Cauldron. Botanicals. Jewelry. Spells. Readings. Curse breaking.”

Patterson’s eyes go wide. “Oh, go inside right now.”

“Absolutely not.” I flip the camera around and furrow my brows.

“You scared?”