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“So let me get this straight. Ian Reynolds, the acclaimed tech billionaire comes to town and he's already getting it on with his best friend's sister–”
I wrinkle my nose, feeling a bit offended. “I’m twenty-four, Trish. I’m not lit–”
“And his best friend's sister enjoys the thrill, so much that she forgets to tell her own best friend about it," she pouts, glaring at me. "Seriously, I'm disappointed."
"I was going to tell you, I swear," I send her a small, apologetic smile, "I really was. But you've been so busy with a lot of stuff with planning the party and all."
"That's why I need a little break to get me through all that, Kay. Urgh, you don't think I'd kill for a good drama right now?"
"My life isn't drama."
"No," she giggles, "but kissing Ian is. So, tell me, do you like him?"
I shake my head. "No, I don't."
Her face falls. "What?"
"It's just a kiss, Trish. Nothing more. And that's the way it's going to end."
"But–" Her eyes soften. "If I remember correctly, you've always had a crush on him."
"Yeah, that was in high school. Things have changed. I'm not letting myself get into the same mistake I made with Logan."
"I knew it." Trisha sighs. "I just knew you were going to say that. Kaylee, you know it's been three years, right? You deserve to move on."
"I have. However, I just don't want to take any chances. Plus, he's my brother's best friend. Think about how…weird it is."
"True. So, what now? You're gonna start avoiding him?"
I heave a breath. "I wish I could, but I can't. He's helping me out with the rebranding project, and he's been great with it. I mean, he's been giving me good business tips ever since we started texting–”
She blinks. “You two are already texting?”
I nod. “Two days ago. He, uh, got my number from Dylan’s phone.”
“Wow. Do you know how extremely lucky you are right now? I mean, you got this man helping you with, heck, basically your life. He's revamping it, personally and professionally. It's absolutely what you need."
"It's not."
"This is an opportunity, Kaylee, so grab it."
I shake my head. "I'm not doing that, T… I'm not."
It'd be stupid to hope for anything. Ian and I are absolutely different, with nothing in common. With a man like that, nothing holds a permanent position. He's too free-spirited and full of adventure. His wanderlust contradicts my own small-town baking dreams. No, we're not the same. Still, I can't get the taste of his lips out of my mind. He's certainly a very good kisser. My heart quickens as I recall that sensual moment. It was a feeling of intense intimacy. Locked away in our own little corner of the gallery, his arms around me…
I didn't want to feel all that hunger, all those aches that raged through me when he held me. And I can't give in to them. Once I do, I'll start depending on a part of him. If that happens, it'll start chipping away at my own self-reliance. I don't want that. Not anymore. It happened with Logan. I'm damned if I ever allow myself to repeat that same mistake.
"I think I'm good with sticking to the professional part, Trish. I'm definitely going to enforce some boundaries. No more intimate stuff. It's never happening again."
Chapter Ten: Ian
The wind rattles the window and I look up again.
Boy, is it going to be one hell of a storm tonight.
I glance at Kaylee. She's still filling out her details on the survey website on my laptop. We've been working on her business portfolio since four pm.
"Done," she says, handing the laptop to me.
