Page 67

“They’re not. I just wanted to.”
She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to open it now or wait until he left.
“You can wait until I’m gone if you want.”
She eyed him as she took the envelope and opened it. “Gus.” Her mouth fell open as she found two VIP tickets to a Maroon 5 concert in New York City.
“It’s not Sugar Ray,” he said with a crooked smile, “but Adam’s a friend, and he hooked me up.”
Her eyes widened. “You know Adam Levine?”
He nodded.
She jumped up and circled the desk, stepping into his waiting arms, and hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her temple, and his lips lingered there.
This man was the sweetest, and it was going to be harder than she thought to keep from blurring the line between real and fake.
TWENTY-THREE
Sebastian was the last person Gus expected to see when they entered the Glacier Park International Airport baggage claim area. He had honestly expected his dad or Skylar after the silent treatment his brother had been giving him. But there he stood, wearing a grey parka, his dark hair sticking out from under a black knit cap.
Sebastian held his hand out in greeting to his new sister-in-law. “Hi, I’m Sebastian. You must be Merritt.”
“I am.” She shook his hand politely. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too. Welcome to Montana.”
“Thanks.”
The brothers made eye contact, and Sebastian hesitantly opened his arms. Gus hugged him, and they patted each other on the back, but it seemed stiff and forced. Sebastian wasn’t his usual cheerful self, and Gus didn’t like it one bit.
When they had retrieved their luggage and loaded it into Sebastian’s car, they headed down the road with Merritt in the front seat and Gus seated behind his brother. Merritt oohed and aahed over the beauty of the snow on the mountains and chatted with Sebastian about Kalispell and their new home.
Gus’s eyes were trained on the passing landscape as he got lost in his thoughts. Here he was in Montana, finally back with his brother, but it felt like they were miles apart. Would the whole week be this awkward?
“Gus.” Merritt’s voice broke through. “Sebastian asked you a question.”
“Sorry, what?” He looked in the rearview mirror at his brother’s reflection.
“I asked what you’ve been up to.”
“Surfing and partying. Isn’t that what everyone assumes I’m doing?”
Merritt turned her head and gave him a pointed stare.
“You’ve got your hands full with this one,” Sebastian told her.
“Screw you, Bash,” Gus snapped.
“What is your problem?”
“What is my problem? You’ve been radio silent for months.”
“We’re not getting into this right now.” Sebastian glanced to the side. “Sorry, Merritt.”
She waved him off, continuing to stare at Gus over the seat.