Page 56 of Forbidden Dreams
Was I not fun? I tried to be the opposite of my father. I wanted to be taken seriously. And somewhere along the way I stopped enjoying life outside of work. Maybe that was why Aspen was okay limiting our relationship. I wasn't someone she could see herself with long-term.
That shouldn't surprise me, and it sure as hell shouldn't hurt. I wasn't supposed to want more for myself. I'd always longed for a steady job. I wanted to feel secure, and I wanted my sister to have a better life. That was my focus.
My relationship with Aspen could blow up everything I'd worked so hard for. Destroy the trust I built with the Sterling family. How far was I willing to go?
Chapter 15
Aspen
Saturday was the second annual Christmas parade in town. I had followed Eve's blueprint from last year, contacting the same participants to see if they wanted to join us again this year. Since Eve’s husband was the fire chief, fire trucks would be included.
So far, there weren't any issues, but I was reviewing her plans for parking and crowd control. I wanted to be prepared.
There was a knock on my door, and I startled. "Come in."
Who could be here this early?
Morgan came into the room. "We're cutting down our trees today."
"Okay," I said drawing out the word, wondering why I needed that information at eight in the morning.
He paused in front of my desk. "It's a family thing."
I blinked up at him. "Are you telling me I have to go?"
He braced his hands on the edge of the desk. "Mom and Dad expect you to be there."
I pursed my lips, considering the work I needed to get done today. "I have a tiny apartment."
"How would a tree look on your porch?" He straightened, crossing his arms across his chest.
That would be the crowning jewel in that space. I'd already hung a ton of twinkling lights from the ceiling. It felt a little like a fairy land there now. I narrowed my gaze on him. "You're playing dirty."
He grinned. "We want you there. Besides, it's a new family tradition."
"That's because Ayla wants to get a head start on Christmas," I mumbled, even though I loved my bonus niece.
"You're going to be busy after Thanksgiving. This will be your only chance to get one."
I gestured at the parking diagrams spread out over the top of my desk. "Can't you cut one down and deliver it?"
He raised a brow. "What would be the fun in that?"
Over the years, I'd noticed that Cooper gave us space to be together as a family without him. I was always appreciative of his efforts to remain scarce in the past because we didn't get along. But now? I wanted to see him.
We hadn't gotten together since that night at his house. I was worried that I'd scared him away. I'd crossed the invisible line in our relationship where we didn't do anything too serious. It was supposed to be spontaneous and fun. Then we went our separate ways afterwards. Instead, I'd changed all the rules by showing up at his house and staying the night. That's why I slipped out in the early morning hours, not wanting to wake him up.
I'd taken things to a different level, and he had every right to end it. I hadn't attempted to cross paths with him or even checked on the progress on construction. It was my job, and I was letting Eve down.
I sighed, knowing I wouldn't win this one. "What time are you going to the tree farm?"
He grinned. "They open at one."
That meant working late, maybe even on Thanksgiving. I didn't want to leave anything to chance.
He tapped the desk. "I knew I could count on you, sis."
I narrowed my gaze on him. "Did Mom tell you to convince me?"
