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MAKAYLA

“ I t’s been a long time, Makayla.”

Why am I suddenly tongue-tied? I was so much braver in my fantasies.

Probably because this is real life. “I didn’t even hear you come out here,” I manage, my voice thinner than I’d like.

“I thought the suite was empty; otherwise I would have announced myself,” he said.

I dip my toe into the water, thrilled by the soul-softening heat. The mountain air is icy and mist-thick, steam billowing off the tub. I pause to acclimate, then perch on the edge, letting my feet slip under first.

Studying his face, I wonder—Is that chiseled jaw Oscar’s, or do those deep-brown eyes belong to Kellan? If I say the wrong name, he’ll know I’m confused. I used to tell them apart in a heartbeat, but now, with no obvious difference to cling to, I’m terrified I’ll look foolish.

“You don’t have to announce yourself,” I say with a gentle smile. “You’re staying here, too. I just figured you were all out on the slopes—or locked in some work meeting.”

“We did have a work thing,” he says. “But I ducked out early. Hard to concentrate when there’s so much natural beauty within reach.” He sweeps a hand toward the snow-capped peaks, and I have to glance away for a heartbeat.

“Did I hear Bryan right the other day—that you just landed a new contract in Asia?” I ask.

He laughs, shaking his head. “You don’t know which one I am, do you?”

“Of course I know who you are,” I counter, thinking fast. “I would know you anywhere. I’m one of the few people who can tell you apart.”

“You’re stalling,” he says.

“I’m not stalling,” I argue. “I’m just incredibly happy to see you and I… Okay. I give up. Are you Kellan or Alex?”

“Here’s a hint,” he says, resting his hand on the rim of the tub beside my left thigh.

I can almost feel his touch on my skin, and I have to warn myself not to get carried away.

He’s still one of my brother’s best friends, and I’m probably still just the kid sister in his mind.

“It was your very first date. Bryan didn’t want to let you go alone, but he didn’t want you to know that he was concerned.

So we followed you to the movie theater and sat behind you. ”

“Kellan!” I yell triumphantly.

He nods, satisfied.

“I still can’t believe you followed me,” I say, shaking my head. “I was mortified, and you guys totally ruined my date.”

He chuckles. “It was almost ten years ago, and you weren’t exactly cautious back then.”

“Shut up.” I laugh, unable to help myself. There’s a grain of truth there. As a teenager, smart decisions weren’t exactly my forte. My dating choices were a tad questionable. “Sure, I did a lot of dumb things back then, but I was just trying to impress you guys.”

“Oh, we were impressed. Now, though, I’m even more impressed,” Kellan says, and I’m suddenly sure we’re no longer talking about ten years ago.

“I mean, not that you’d be impressed that I went on a date—everyone dates, and I didn’t think of you like that—” I trail off, realizing I’ve jammed my foot squarely into my mouth.

“Whatever happened to him?” Kellan asks.

“Who?” I blink, then catch on. “Oh—the date. No clue.” I shrug. “After you and Bryan humiliated him, he never spoke to me again.”

“I’d hardly call throwing popcorn humiliating,” Kellan says, defending his long-ago actions.

“Then what would you call it?” I counter.

“I was protecting your honor.”

I grin. “I think you were just teasing me and using that big-brother crap as an excuse. But now we’re both adults, and I don’t need anyone to protect me.”

“I’m not ready to surrender my sword and shield just yet.”

I laugh, then sink into the hot tub until the water laps at my neck.

The water nearly sizzles against my skin, but after a beat I acclimate, every muscle slowly unknotting.

“Oh, I wonder if that’s what lobsters feel when you boil them,” I say with a dry chuckle. “That brief moment of total relaxation before it’s over.”

Kellan gives me a wry smile. “That’s a little dark, but still a good question. You haven’t changed a bit, Kay.”

“Thanks. My foot-in-mouth syndrome is still perfectly intact.”

I settle onto the underwater seat across from Kellan and gaze up at the distant mountains. The view is so breathtaking I momentarily forget about the swarm of butterflies dive-bombing my stomach.

“How was your trip?” he asks.

I let out a quiet groan and focus on the tranquil blue sky overhead—anything to drown out yesterday’s chaos. “It wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped, but I’m putting it behind me. I’m here to enjoy myself.”

“Good. You’re only meant to indulge yourself here,” he says, voice low. “I hope I can help with that.”

The intensity in his eyes sends a slow, molten heat crawling up my cheeks, and I’m not sure whether to blame the water or him. I try not to let my imagination gallop, but he’s making that impossible.

“So, Kellan.” I scramble for a safe topic. “Are the others still working?”

“They are. I left them in this morning’s meeting,” Kellan says. “They’ll fill me in on anything I missed later.”

My mouth goes desert-dry—his undivided focus does that to me. I reach for my flute and the chilled bottles, grateful for the excuse to fuss with a mimosa. The first cool sip slides down my throat—a burst of citrus-bubbled relief.

“I assume you know that Bryan is going to propose to Callie,” I say.

“I do, yes,” he says, stretching his arms to hook them over the rim of the tub.

Now his chest is on full display—broad, cut, and utterly distracting. He hasn’t let himself go since we were kids; if anything, he’s grown deliciously broader, ropes of muscle sculpted across his torso and draped over those massive shoulders. I try not to stare but fail miserably.

The sight of him rivals the distant mountains and even the sun overhead. I realize it’s going to be absolute torture spending the week with him. I can only hope that the other two won’t be equally tempting. Otherwise, I’m bound to make a fool of myself sooner or later.

He catches me staring and smiles. My heart skips a beat. It’s that slow, knowing smile men wear when they realize a woman is interested.

I clear my throat. “So, when did Bryan tell you?”

“About two weeks ago,” Kellan says, thankfully looking away. “He invited all of us out for drinks and bought the first round. He’s a class act, your brother.”

He glances toward the mountains, giving me his rugged profile. His jaw is so sharply cut I can picture him in the wilderness, axe biting into fresh timber—or flipping a giant tractor tire, sweat sliding over those bulging muscles. Get your mind out of the gutter, Kay.

“It’s so like him to pull this whole trip together so the proposal will be unforgettable,” I say. “That’s Bry for you—every milestone deserves a party.”

“I think that’s the idea,” Kellan agrees. “I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Bryan didn’t tell me how beautiful you’ve become.”

I stay perfectly still, but the flute in my hand trembles, threatening to slosh champagne into the crystal-clear water.

I force myself to set it down carefully before drawing a deep breath.

Things are escalating way too fast for my comfort.

The effect Kellan has on me is downright alarming.

This moment feels like a dream come true, but I’m not sure I’m ready to live it yet.

I scoot onto the rim of the tub, stealing a precious foot of space. When I glance back at Kellan—submerged to his neck—I don’t see a single fabric line between his chest and his thighs. It’s difficult to tell beneath the gently rolling waves of the jacuzzi, but I think he’s naked.

“Are you…” I begin, not sure how to respectfully accuse him of being nude.

Didn’t Bryan mention he’d be sharing a suite with me? And does my brother care that his best friend thinks clothing is optional in front of his sister?

“Am I what?” he asks.

“Are you naked?” I blurt.

“Yes,” he says with a laugh. “Is that a problem?”

I cough, startled by his shameless directness. “Why are you naked?”

“It feels better,” he says. My gaze is riveted to the spot. I can’t see everything, but the outline is clear as day. “You should try it.”

I glance down at my sporty two-piece, suddenly feeling overdressed. There’s no way I’m stripping down to join him in the hot tub. I’m hanging on to my dignity by a thread, and I know it would take next to nothing for me to throw myself at him. That’s how drawn I am to this man—now more than ever.

“I’m going to…” I look around, desperately searching for an excuse. Nothing even remotely smart comes to mind, just jumbled syllables. I might as well shut up.

“What are you drinking?” he asks.

“Champagne and orange juice,” I answer, grateful for safe territory. “A mimosa.”

“Mind pouring me one? That sounds great,” he says.

“Sure.” I hop to my feet, eager for something—anything—to do.

I wrap a towel around myself and hurry into the kitchen to fetch a glass for Kellan. I need distance before my reckless thoughts spill straight out of my mouth.

This trip is supposed to be about Bryan and Callie, and me drooling over one of the Anderson triplets can only end badly. I need to get my focus back—stat.