“Are you serious?” Paxton seemed to think Braxton was just joking. He set his glass on the table, then raised his right hand and began to tap his finger on his pursed lips. “You’re talking about the two of us”—he pointed to his sister and then back to himself—“going into business together with you?”
“That’s right—the three of us. Just as we always planned, before life pulled us in different directions.”
“The three of us?” Paxton appeared to be tossing the idea around. “And you want me to move back here? No considering you two coming out east?”
Braxton nodded briefly. “West coast. I’m not into the east coast at all. Both Paisley and I have made a name for ourselves already out here. Besides, it would be easier for you to move than us trying to start over there.”
Braxton silenced his phone for the third time without looking at who was calling. Paxton’s answer was more important than any call. This was his future he was about to seal, and he needed the twins to know he was all in.
“I’m in,” Pax bellowed. “I’ve wanted to move back. Don’t get me wrong, I’m making a killing in New York, but the winters are too harsh and I miss the Pacific. I miss my board, and most of all, I miss the golden tan skin of busty blondes more than I ever thought I would.”
Paisley muttered under her breath, “You’re such a pig.”
And just like that, it felt like old times. Under the table, he playfully knocked his leg into hers. A simple gesture letting her know he’d heard her. Then Braxton reached over and placed his hand on top of hers. “So, are you in, Paisley?”
She hesitated. She’d always been the thinker of the group. The level head that thought through the process, looking at it from all angles. The good and the bad. It took her a moment, but then she replied, “I’m in.”
Braxton smiled in victory at the fact that she hadn’t even asked her pencil-necked fiancé how he felt about it. Usually, this was the type of conversation you’d have with someone you were going to share your life with. Hell, Braxton had talked the whole process out with Alissa when he’d first had the idea. Was this an indication of the strength of the bond or lack thereof between Paisley and Peter. It was time to celebrate.
Braxton raised his glass in the air. “Michaels and Reed, it is then.”
Paxton followed suit. “Reed and Michaels.” Everyone laughed.
Paisley raised her glass. “It looks as if I’m the deciding factor here, so I propose Reed, Michaels, and Reed. After all, each of us should be represented, and I’m tired of being lumped in with him.” She pointed at her sibling, but not before smiling at Braxton. “But I could live with Michaels and Reed.” She winked at Braxton.
Paxton and Braxton began to outline what the next steps should be and how long he’d be in town. Braxton reached out instinctively, grabbing Paisley's hand and holding it. Sealing the fact that the three of them were once more a trio. Just like when they were kids, the three of them were going to set the world ablaze.
Braxton’s phone rang again. He must have silenced it at least twenty times in the last five minutes. Alissa nudged him in the arm. “You might want to see who that is, Braxton. It could be important.”
There were thirteen missed calls from his brother and four from an unknown number. His stomach fluttered with anxiety. Something was wrong. It rang again, and this time, he answered.
Chapter 10
Paisley thought to herself I’m an idiot. How could I agree to go into business with Paxton and Brax? She had done everything possible to remove Braxton from her life and her everyday thoughts for the last two years. He’d made his choice. He’d chosen Alissa.
You didn’t give him a chance to choose you.
Maybe she’d be engaged to Braxton and not Peter if she’d spoken up. After all, she’d had her whole life to tell him how she felt and aside from one drunken evening that was quickly dismissed, she’d made no further attempts. She knew that Peter was a nice guy. He treated her like a princess, but he wasn’t Braxton. He never would be.
She’d been able to convince herself that everything was better without Braxton. And up until this evening, she’d done a fine job at living her life Braxton-free. But seeing him again Oh, God. The feelings came flooding right back into her heart. Now she was in a predicament.
She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed hearing his voice regularly and how his infectious excitement made her giddy every day they were together. A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the feel of his arms around her when they’d hugged. Just that slight touch had made her heartbeat so fast she'd thought it would burst from her chest. She’d frozen at that moment, worried he might feel how hard it was beating. His arms, no, his hugs were what she’d missed most being away from him.
She flinched when Peter’s arm grazed the back of her shoulder as he rested it on her chair. He’d been engrossed in conversation with Paxton, which should have made her happy. But being this close to the man who held her heart had Paisley questioning if she was doing the right thing by marrying Peter. She loved him, but not the same way she loved Braxton. She could be and would be happy with Peter. She’d could even envision a satisfying life with him. But when she closed her eyes, it wasn’t Peter she saw. It was Braxton. Every time.
The two of them walking hand in hand with their kids. Kissing. Laughing. Living the life she’d dreamed of since she was a little girl. She’d told herself over and over
