A Fix Fling (The Fix Book 5) Read online

  What I prefer about Malcolm, besides him being more mature, is his personality. Gideon is too enthusiastically happy for me. Malcolm is grouchy in a sexy way. I like that he doesn’t smile freely and that I have to earn them from him. He’s authentic and doesn’t hide what he’s feeling or thinking, good or bad.

  I not only respect that, but it also turns me on.

  “Gideon is too young for me and not interested in settling down.”

  My mom shifts her entire frame toward me. “And this bar owner is interested in settling down?”

  Well I sure put my foot in it. “His name is Malcolm and I doubt he’s interested in settling down with me seeing as I live hundreds of miles away. What I meant was, with our families being so close. A relationship of any sort with Gideon wouldn’t be a good idea because he isn’t going to settle down any time soon.”

  Charlotte leans back against the seat. “That’s a shame. He’s so handsome.”

  My mom flips down the visor to examine her face in the mirror. “They all are. I’m not sure I’ve ever known a more attractive family.”

  I glance over at her. “Ours isn’t half bad.”

  She laughs, flounces her hair and pushes the visor up. “You have a point.”

  Charlotte, gives her shoulder a good-natured shove. “Now, tell us more about Malcolm. What’s he like?”

  Great, now I need to come up with something PG enough to tell my mom and aunt since there’s no way I’m telling them the most I know about him is how good he is between the sheets.

  “There isn’t much to tell, we’re still getting to know each other.”

  Charlotte snorts. “That’s code for you’ve been focused on nothing but hanky panky.”

  “Charlotte!” Mom exclaims.

  Why she sounds surprised is beyond me. What does she think we’re doing, playing scrabble?

  “Oh look, we’re here. Want me to park at an end or somewhere in the middle?”

  My question serves no purpose other than to be a distraction. Since there’s nothing my mom doesn’t have an opinion on, she replies and I park.

  Even though I’ve got no room in my luggage, I load my arms up with stuff to try on. Packing for a trip when you only expect to be around family is different than packing for a trip with a lover.

  Malcolm wants to show me his cabin tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect but I might as well look good doing it.

  Aunt Charlotte glances at my armful of clothes and gives me a knowing wink.

  For some people it might be awkward having a family member cheer you on for getting laid, for me it’s just another example of how awesome my family is. “Are you going to try anything on?”

  She shakes her head. “Nothing is speaking to me. I’m going to go find your mom and tell her I’m heading to the next store.”

  I lift my arms and the pile of clothes in them a fraction. “You don’t want to see the fashion show?”

  “Honey, if you want an audience I’ll be in the front row.”

  She means it too.

  With a shake of my head I turn and head for the dressing room. “Nah, I’ll catch up.”

  After trying everything on, I widdle the pile down to only a couple of pieces. Once I’ve paid, I head back to the rental to throw my bag in the trunk. If they ask, I’ll say I didn’t want to carry it. Truth is I’m not sure I want my mom to see and possibly judge the sexy top I bought.

  They’re walking out by the time I reach the second store. “Nothing good in there?”

  Charlotte shakes her head. “It’s all winter wear. Nothing that makes sense for back home.”

  We amble through the rest of the stores, each of us finding a few things along the way.

  Charlotte looks down at her watch. “We should start thinking about heading back so we can get ready for the rehearsal dinner.”

  Bags in tow, we make our way back to the rental. The ride back to the inn is less of an interrogation this time.

  In fact, the rest of the evening is surprisingly free of any mention of Malcolm. Yes, we were all busy with the rehearsal dinner but my family normally wouldn’t miss an opportunity to pry.

  Finley bumps my elbow with hers. “You okay?”

  My gaze moves down the table to where my mom and Aunt Charlotte sit. “They found out about Malcolm.”

  Her brows come together. “That he’s coming to the wedding?”

  Giving my head a shake, I admit, “My mom might have seen him coming out of my room this morning.”

  With wide eyes, her slender fingers wrap around my forearm. “What?”

  “Well, we’ve been hooking up since your bachelorette party.”

  If possible, her eyes widen even more. “Heather.”

  “I know what you’re thinking. Trust me, I do.”

  She lets go of my arm to cross hers. “All right, tell me what I’m thinking.”

  “I’m an idiot, this is a mistake, I’m going to get attached, things will end badly and I’ll never come and visit you again because of it.”

  Her surprised expression softens to concern. “And, what do you think?”

  “Right now I’m trying to figure out what my mom, your mom, and Aunt Charlotte have up their sleeves.”

  Her brows come together again. “What do they have to do with any of this?”

  I glance back over at them. “Don’t you think it’s weird none of them have tried to pump you for information since I met him at your bachelorette party and you know him?”

  She frowns. “To say I know him would be a stretch and there’s a lot going on this week. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

  “So you don’t think it’s strange none of them have said anything to you?”

  Now it’s her eyes that move to our parents. “When you put it like that it is out of character for them.”

  “Exactly. They’re up to something and I have no idea what it could be. More importantly, I told myself what Malcolm and I have is just a fling but the more time I spend with him I’m scared I’m developing feelings for him.”

  “Oh Heather.”

  “He wants to take me to his cabin tomorrow.”

  She blinks. “He has a cabin? Is it like Asher’s?”

  I shrug. “I have no idea and I’m thinking about canceling.”

  She holds her hand up. “Wait, why on earth would you cancel?”

  Lifting my fork, I push around the food on my plate. “So I can cut my losses before I get even more attached to him.”

  Finley picks up my wine glass and offers it to me. “I’m guessing that may have already happened.”

  I sip, and then mutter, “Shut up.”

  She grabs her glass. “I wonder what his cabin is like.”

  I hold her gaze. “For my sake, I hope it’s a dump.”

  She laughs, and Noah looks back at us. “What’s so funny?”

  Finley wets her lips. “Do you care if I tell him?”

  They’re two days from saying I do, at this point I’m assuming there won’t be any secrets between them. “Go for it.”

  She turns to face him. “Heather is spending tomorrow with the guy who owns the Drunken Moose and he’s taking her to his cabin.”

  “Are we the only people without a cabin?”

  She laughs and playfully swats his arm. “Oh you hush. The cabin isn’t what I was focusing on.”

  He leans farther forward to meet my gaze. “What is she focusing on?”

  I shrug and shift my eyes to my cousin. “Well?”

  Glancing between the two of us, she replies, “I’m thinking I wish I knew him better so I could decide if he was good enough for you or not.”

  I lift my hands. “But it’s just a fling.”

  She shakes her head and looks at Noah. “It’s not just a fling, she said she’s getting attached.”

  His expression shifts to thoughtful.

  Finley keeps going before I can even put in my two cents, since they’re talking about me, as if I’m not even here. “And I don’t want her
getting hurt.”

  Noah reaches for her hand. “We can kick his ass if he does.”

  She reaches up to cup his cheek. “I love you.”

  I shake my head. “You two are too much.”

  All they do is grin at me.

  Then Noah asks, “Should we get a cabin?”

  At that, Finley bursts out laughing.

  It may seem silly, but I want what they have. They’re head over heels in love and best friends too. They’re a team and can laugh and work together to face whatever life throws their way. As much as I’ve tried to convince myself that I don’t care, that I don’t need or want more than a fling, I’m lying to myself.

  Malcolm is great; he’s also in the wrong state.

  I’ve known him for all of four days so even thinking he’s great could be only wishful thinking. For all I know, he’s just showing me what I want to see so he can keep getting what he wants from me in the bedroom.

  Giving myself a mental shake, I remind myself that there are no strings to what we have. My flight leaves Sunday afternoon. Neither of us has brought it up, or what it means. Whatever is happening between us has an expiration date.

  “I say you get a beach house near Galveston.”

  Finley taps her chin. “That’s not a terrible idea.”

  Noah blinks. “It isn’t?”

  She nods. “It’s not like we need a cabin here when Asher and Paige are cool with letting us use their guest cabin whenever we want, and having a place in Texas would make it all the easier to visit my family whenever we want.”

  “Oh my God, I was only joking but it would be amazing if you could come back and visit us more.”

  Finley’s smile widens. “What if we bought a fixer upper there?”

  Noah buries his face in his hands, drawing the attention of Paige and Asher. “Everything okay?”

  Finley beams at them. “Noah and I are going to find a place to fix up in Texas.”

  He lifts his head. “It’s decided?”

  She grabs his hand and brings it up to her lips to kiss it. “Come on, it would be fun.”

  I nod in agreement. “I’ll help out.”

  Finley’s brows come together. “You will?”

  Okay, so I’m not handy but that doesn’t mean I can’t be if I try. “Yes, I’ll help.”

  Paige leans forward. “Have you already found a place?”

  It’s incredible how quickly a silly joke can take on a life of its own and grow into something.

  Finley shakes her head. “We’ll wait until after the honeymoon to start looking.”

  Abby glances our way. “Looking for what?”

  It takes all of ten minutes for the entire table to hear the news and all have opinions on it. It’s no shock that our side of the family is all thrilled. What is a surprise is how much Noah’s family seems to like it as well.

  Daisy, Noah’s mom seems the most excited. “We can plan a long visit in the winter.”

  When Noah tries to explain there’s no way a place would be ready by this winter, her face falls, making him backtrack and agree to try his best.

  While the rest of the table discusses the merits of four bedrooms or five, Finley takes my hand. “Looks like you’re going to get your wish.”

  Wetness hits my eyes. I haven’t ever made a big deal out of her moving here because it was exactly what she needed, but I’ve missed her. Finley isn’t just my cousin; she’s my best friend. Talking on the phone, texting, and video chatting just isn’t enough for me. If it weren’t for all of the wedding stuff this week, I’d be glued to her side.

  With Paige doing all the planning, she doesn’t need my help and I’d probably just be in the way. Knowing that I might be able to have her back to a small extent in Texas is the best news I’ve received in ages.

  I check my hair in my mirror for a third time in the last ten minutes. I want to look good but not like I’m trying too hard.

  I curled it but spent extra time trying to make it look natural.

  Malcolm will be here any minute. Until he gets here, I’m going to be a nervous wreck.

  The sound of a knock on my door has me turning my head. Shifting my gaze back to the mirror, I hope I made a good outfit choice for the day. Since it’s chilly in the morning, I’m wearing a light sweater and am bringing a jacket.

  “Coming.”

  I peek out the peephole to make sure it’s him before I open the door.

  He surprises me with one heck of a hello kiss.

  When he lifts his head, his arms still around me, I blink up at him. “Hi.”

  He grins down at me. “Hi.”

  I smile back at him.

  “Ready?”

  Not shifting out of his hold, I grab my purse and jacket from where they sit on the table beside the door. “Yep.”

  He takes a step back into the hall, taking me with him. “Let’s go.”

  Hand in hand, we head to his SUV. “How far away is your cabin?”

  “Not a fan of surprises?”

  I tug on his hand so he slows to meet my gaze. “I didn’t know it was a surprise.”

  “Live dangerously.”

  “I have been since the night I followed you up to your bed.”

  That makes him laugh. “You’ve got a point.”

  He still doesn’t tell me how far away his cabin is.

  As he drives, he points out landmarks along the way, and forty or so minutes later, we’re there.

  “Wow.”

  His cabin truly fits the name, huge rounded logs forming each of its walls. It’s a beautiful Lincoln Logs set come to life. He shifts his SUV into park and looks over at me. “Wait until you see the view.”

  The view?

  Once I open my door and step out it all becomes clear. “It’s beautiful. What mountain is it?”

  “Woodlake Mountain. Come on inside, there’s a better view from the back of the cabin.”

  We meet at the front of his car and cross the gravel drive to the front porch. “Are you going to shock me by telling me you built the cabin yourself?”

  He shakes his head and opens the door, a symphony of dogs barking on the other side of it. The barks were the only warning as a pack of dogs eagerly greets us.

  “Down guys, don’t jump all over her.”

  Out of all of the possibilities in store for me today, getting stampeded by a million dogs was not one of them. “Holy crap, how many dogs do you have?”

  “Seven right now, but only two of them are mine.”

  I stumble back into him as a Great Dane knocks me off balance. “Are the rest just visiting?”

  His hands move to my waist to steady me. “No, I’m fostering them.”

  His attention turns back to the dogs. “Sit guys, and stop barking. Heather is a friend.”

  Amazingly, they follow his commands, a couple of the younger dogs barely containing their excitement as they sit, tails wagging all over and little furry butts wiggling like crazy.

  A younger version of Malcolm comes into view. If I had to guess his age, I’d say he was in his mid-twenties. His light brown hair is longer and shaggier than Malcolm’s is.

  “Hey Mal, I’ll be out of your hair in a minute. Want me to take some of the dogs?”

  “Leave the dogs.” I blurt.

  Malcolm lowers his head and laughs into the back of my hair.

  Who I’m guessing is his younger brother comes forward and offers me his hand. “Hi Heather. I’m Mal’s kid brother Tim.”

  I had no clue I’d be meeting family as my hand slips into his. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” He lets go of my hand and glances at his watch. “If I don’t leave now I’ll be late.”

  He skirts around us and out the door, tossing a, “Later,” over his shoulder.

  The dogs all take that as their cue to move again and rush us again. When Malcom moves to support me, I try and pet them all at once.

  “I probably should have asked if you liked dogs before I brought you up h
ere.”

  “You’re lucky I love them and am not allergic.”

  “True. Okay guys, stop jumping all over her.”

  About half of them listen this time and I assume it’s because what he said wasn’t an actual command.

  “Which ones are yours? And, how do you take care of them with the bar?”

  His arm rests on my shoulder as he points out two dogs from the pack, a German Shepherd, and a Golden Retriever. “That’s Jack and Morgan. Those two are mine, the rest are fosters, but I wouldn’t be able to take as many dogs if Tim wasn’t living here.”

  “I’ve thought about getting a dog back home but my hours are crazy and my place is tiny.”

  He grins at me. “So, you like dogs?”

  I grin right back. “I love them.”

  Some of the dogs lose their interest and amble off.

  Malcolm moves beside me and takes my hand. “Ready to see the view?”

  I give his hand a squeeze. “Yes.”

  As we move through the cabin I can’t help but notice all of the vintage furniture, so I ask. “Have you always lived here?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  I can never tell if people say that to avoid the question or because they truly mean it would take too much time to tell.

  “We’ve got plenty of time.”

  His step slows briefly before he returns to his normal pace. “My parents died when Tim and I were little. We went to live with our grandfather. This was his place.”

  “I’m so sorry. How old were you?”

  He leads me into a living room with a large picture window, Woodlake Mountain framed beautifully within it.

  “I was five, Tim was two.”

  My dad might be out of my life now but he was very much a part of it until I was thirteen years old.

  My gaze shifts away from the window to his hazel eyes. “You were so young.”

  “That’s life, and don’t feel too bad for me, my grandfather was an awesome guy. Plus we had more family around here to all pitch in.”

  “Around here? Were you not from here?”

  One side of his mouth tips up in an impish way. “You’re not the only one here from Texas.”

  My jaw drops, but I recover quickly. “No way. What part?”

  “Near Austin.”

  I press my hand to my chest. “I live only three hours from Austin. Why didn’t you say anything when I told you that?”