Chapter Seven
Chloe
Unbelievable.
I finished the run and moved toward the lodge as fast as I could, not wanting Finn to catch up to me. He was a player and a half, and while I didn't want to be interested in him, I was.
It was as if fate pulled together every descriptor I'd given Jessie in the car for my perfect boyfriend and created this sexy hunk who looked like sin, was good to the town’s people, and knew how to take care of a woman in the sheets. Contrary to popular belief, I didn't date anyone who wasn't classified as a man whore. Bad sex was the hardest thing to get over in a relationship. Jessie called me shallow on more than one occasion over it—until it happened to her. Then she saw the light.
Finn. What an interesting name.
The man was sexy as hell, incredibly sweet, and funny to boot. His sense of fashion might not be spot on, but did I really want a man correcting my drawings and trying to butt into my designs? No.
His dark brown hair and warm chestnut eyes were my favorite combination. The almond color of his skin combined with the small spray of freckles across his nose left me wanting to pant. he had strong shoulders and chest muscles, which I accidentally got to feel when he tugged me back toward him.
"And his cologne. Fuck me, his smell." I groaned and moved into the ski lodge as an elderly couple gave me a look due to my choice of words, no doubt. "I'm sorry."
I walked to the ski rental and turned my gear in, grabbed my keys, and walked quickly to the parking lot. My father had several vehicles available for me to choose from, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the winner every time. It was spacious and luxurious, but left me feeling safe.
The drive home was a bit tumultuous, but I made it without much more than my nerves being on edge.
"You guys home?" I called out as I walked into the house.
"I'm in my room. You have fun?" Parker walked out of his bedroom, still in his pjs and a t-shirt.
"Yeah, actually I did." I shrugged and put my stuff on the counter. "I forgot that I actually enjoyed skiing."
"See? I told you there was things about this place to love."
"Yeah? Like you." I reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Speaking of your adoration for your one and only brother..." He reached out and tugged on one of the ropes to my hoodie.
"You want food?" I asked.
"God, yes, but no vegetables. I already had mine for the day." He moved to sit at one of the stools by the breakfast nook.
"Oh, yeah? What veggies did you eat?" I walked to the fridge and pulled out various cold cuts and cheeses.
"I had Cheetos and green gummy worms. I'm thinking that's pretty damn close to carrots and celery." He snorted.
"You're an idiot." I rolled my eyes and worked on getting him something better to eat. "So, I met this guy in town today. He seems to be a local."
"Yeah? What's his name?"
"Finn. I didn't get his last name." I shrugged and handed him the plate.
"Oh, yeah. He's the town slut. My friends are always talking about wanting to be like him."
"How do you have friends here?"
I made myself half a sandwich and glanced at the clock. I had twenty minutes before I had to put it in high gear. I was surprised that Cindy wasn't at the house already.
"You know Dad and I spend the fall here." My brother lifted his eyebrow and I nodded, not willing to admit that I'd gotten so wrapped up in my own stuff that I hadn't realized that they were in Colorado all fall. When I called them, I dialed their cell, which was an Arizona area code.
"So, this Finn guy is a big fat no?"
"Um, yeah. Unless you like being used for the night and tossed away."
I picked up my lunch and walked away, not ready to have any kind of sexual discussions with my teenage brother. A shiver ran through me, and I made a sound of disgust at the thought.
"Yep. He's gross. Stay away."
"Done," I called over my shoulder and walked into my room to start sorting through what I would be wearing for the evening.
I texted my friends to see where everyone was. The twins were an hour out of the city, and Cindy was headed my way.
It was decided that it would be easier to meet at a nice little Italian place in the center of town rather than all the way out at my father's house. I dropped the phone on the bed and lamented over the fact that Finn wouldn't be able to find me. If I wanted to see him again, I'd have to find him or bump into him. Why do things always have to be so damn difficult?
I dressed in a cute skirt and tight top before choosing a pair of heels and fixing my hair and makeup in order to impress my friends properly. We all came from wealthy families, and it seemed like the first thirty minutes of any get together was catching each other up on what we did or didn't have, as well as eying each other's clothes and jewelry. Some part of me wanted to cancel for the evening, but it would look bad, and I'd never hear the end of it.
"Besides, getting out will be good for me."
I leaned in toward the bathroom mirror and put a second coating of dark pink lipstick on my lips. I looked like a Barbie doll, which was annoying. No man treated a woman who looked like me seriously, especially when I dolled myself up.
"What are you doing in there?" My brother beat at the door, and I yanked it open.
"Oh, great. You're going out with this guy, anyway?"
"No. Some old friends are coming into town. We're going to dinner and maybe a movie."
"Go dancing. There's a new club my friend's sister was raving about the other day. It's one block from Dad's store, though I can't remember the name of it to save my life."
I nodded and turned around. "Do I look alright?"
"Like my undercover gamer sister." He shrugged and walked back down the hall as I laughed.
"Gee, thanks, buddy."
"Anytime."
* * * *
I walked into the restaurant and handed the guy my coat at the front, worrying a little at first about being overdressed until the host showed me to our table.
My three friends were already there and let out loud squeals as I approached.
Momentary warmth flooded me, and it was good to see old familiar faces. I hugged each of them and took my seat beside Cindy.
"You look incredible. The sun has done so much for your complexion. I love it." Janet reached for her wine and smiled.
"I agree. Do you dye your hair, or is that natural?" Her twin sister, Kinsey, ran her fingers through her long brown strands as she tilted her head and studied me.
Lovely. The microscope light has been turned on.
"All natural, girls." I smiled and turned to Cindy. "How was the flight? The traveling? The family?"
We each took turns going around the table throughout dinner to update everyone on the happenings in each of our lives. Cindy had seen the world, Kinsey had her own million-dollar online business, and Janet had published her fifth book.
"How about you?" Cindy sat back and rubbed at her stomach. "Tell us everything."
"Well, I just graduated from UCLA with my design degree, so now I'm working on starting my own company, which should launch next spring." I glanced down at my top. "I designed this bad-boy."
"Oh, nice!" Kinsey reached across the table and ran her fingers over the fabric at my shoulder. "Feels so good. I'm impressed."
"Is your dad supplying the seed funding?" Cindy asked and lifted her hand to take the check from the waiter.
"Yes, but you know him and his rules. I'm stuck here for the next few weeks, and if I can stick it out for the holidays, he'll help me." I tried to overemphasize how put out I was by the demand, since they expected me to be bratty and catty like we all were in high school.
"That’s dumb." Kinsey rolled her eyes. "So...what's up next? Shopping? Movie? Dancing?"
"I wouldn't mind checking out the new dance club that opened in the center of town." I shrugged. "Some of the guys here are incredibly hot."
"Yes, and being here for the night means only one thing..." Cindy smiled nefariously.
"One night stand!" Kinsey and Janet yelled in tandem.
I glanced around as several people from nearby tables looked our way. Heat rose up my chest and coated my cheeks.
"I love them. So much easier than relationships, don't you think, Chloe?" Cindy turned her dark eyes on me. She was beautiful, the exotic one out of the four of us. Her mother was Asian and her father Hispanic. She was never without a boyfriend back in high school. I had no doubt that not much had changed.
"Love 'em." I turned my attention to my wine and emptied the glass.
"I want to find a local boy. The town whore." Kinsey wagged her eyebrows. "You know, every town has one, and this place is so big that I bet there's one for each of us."
I stiffened at the thought of seeing Finn with any of my friends. Anger rose sharply inside of me, and I stood, having to excuse myself to the bathroom. How people could be such assholes was beyond me. Not that Finn didn't set himself up to be used, but still.
I walked into the bathroom and moved to the sink, washing my hands and checking myself out in the mirror. I wasn't beyond dancing with a few boys, but going home with one of them meant that the possibility of a second date was highly probable from both sides. Sleeping with someone only to have them lose my number the next day was too much for me. My friends...not so much.
I walked back out to find them all waiting by the front door, giddy with anticipation.
"You ready?" Cindy slipped her arm into mine and pulled me to the front door. "You drive. I want to get trashed."
"Absolutely." I pulled the keys from my purse and glanced at her. “Where is your luggage?”
“I dropped it off at the hotel next door to where Kinsey and Janet are staying before meeting you.” Cindy smiled. “It’s right next door. Remind me to get it when we get done tonight.”
The twins were giggling furiously about something, and I couldn't help but smile. They were identical, both of them with brown hair and green eyes. There wasn't anything that made them stand out from the next girl, but they were wild women and knew how to get attention when they wanted it.
"Your dad finally dating?" Cindy asked as we walked through the dark parking lot.
"He's turned into a man whore, too." I shook my head and unlocked the car.
"That's not good," Cindy said as she moved around the SUV and got in. "You think he's just still hurt over your mom?"
"I guess. He and I don't speak much. I bitch at him about his diet, and he grunts at me and reminds me how unworthy I am for everything I have." I buckled up and lamented over the fact that I wouldn't be getting drunk. It seemed like the only way I might find relief. Seeing that I wasn't going to do it alone and yet had no friends, tonight had been my only chance.
"I'm sorry to hear that. He's always been a jerk like that, though. You know you’re beautiful, talented, and everything you should be." She reached over and squeezed my shoulder. "I'm proud of you, and I've missed you."
"I’ve missed you, too." I turned on the lights and pulled the car out into the road as the girls in the backseat started giggling.
The stories they shared left me wondering where my friends from school where. The hookers in the car with me and Cindy were a hoot to watch sober. I was almost scared to see them drunk.
* * * *
"I love this place!" Kinsey danced around, throwing her hands up in the air and sloshing her beer all over her sister.
"Hey, bitch. Watch your drink," Janet laughed and turned to the bartender. "Another round, please."
He looked over at me, and I nodded before shaking my head and smiling.
"You want another Coke, pretty girl?" He leaned over and tapped the bar between us. He was handsome and looked like he belonged with me in California.
"Nope. I'm going to float out of here if I'm not careful."
"One beer won't hurt, unless you're a lightweight." He lifted his eyebrow and I chuckled.
"I had a glass of wine at dinner; besides, I'm not used to driving in the snow. I'm from Los Angeles."
"What? Me, too." He chuckled and extended his hand. "Caleb. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Chloe. What are you doing here in Aspen?"
"Taking a break for the winter. I love the sun and the snow, so half a year there, half here." He shrugged. "Living the life, I guess."
"Sounds like it." I turned as Kinsey to wrap her arms around my neck.
"Oh my God, Chloe. The finest boy in the whole universe is here. He's so fucking dreamy."
I untangled her arms from around me and brushed her hair from her face. She was sloppy drunk, and the fun was about to begin. Being the designated driver sucked ass, but these next few moments would make it all worthwhile.
"Where? I want to see the best looking thing in Aspen." I got up and walked to the edge of the dance floor before Janet pulled me back.
"No, silly. He just walked in. Look at that group of guys. Hot. So hot!" Janet fanned herself, and I looked around for Cindy.
She was against the bar, leaning in closely to Caleb.
"Figures." I let out a soft growl and resigned myself to helping my friends have a good time. I didn't need anything more than a good laugh and a break from the house. Falling in love with some guy wasn't at the top of my list, and even if it was, it was a horrible idea. I was heading home in a few weeks, and the last thing I planned to leave behind in Colorado was my heart.
"There. With the blue shirt. Tell me you see him."
I narrowed my gaze and scanned the faces, finally finding a group of handsome guys. "Blue shirt...blue shirt..."
A gasp left me as I spotted him. The twins were right. He was the finest thing in the bar, if not the city.
Too bad he was off limits.
Finn.