33. Aubrey

33

Aubrey

"So, how's the hubs doing?" Savannah's tone teases but probes deeply, as always.

"He's surprising me, actually," I admit, the corner of my mouth lifting in a half-smile. "He seems committed, Sav. Like, really committed."

There’s a slight pause, and I can practically hear her skeptical eyebrow raising over the line. "Just don't let your guard down too quickly, Aub. Men like him can be... persuasive."

"I’m keeping my eyes wide open, don’t worry," I tell her, tapping a finger on my desk as I speak.

Savannah's voice carries her usual mix of stern affection and skepticism. "And just remember, leopards don't change their spots overnight."

"I know," I reply, peering out the window at the peaceful backyard, feeling a flicker of hope. "But honestly, he's surprising me. It's like he’s morphed into this whole new person."

There’s a pause on the line, and I can almost hear Savannah's eyebrows raising. "Just keep your guard up. You know I’m here for you, no matter what."

"Of course," I agree, my voice steady but my mind racing with the weight of her words. "And hey, I appreciate you, always."

"Always," she echoes, and we hang up.

I lean back, soaking in the blend of support and caution from my friend.

I flip open my laptop with a decisive click, pulling up a new document. It's time to get down to business with Sean’s PR piece. I begin to craft sentences carefully, painting Sean in a light that might just sway public opinion. Each word is chosen to showcase a man who's turning over a new leaf, blending hope with a touch of reality.

I swivel back from my desk, the mismatched yet charming pieces collected like memories in my makeshift office space here in the Airbnb. Even though Luke and I have nested into the main house, the Ice family has been sweet enough to let me keep this little nook for work—a quiet corner where I can spin PR magic.

I wander over to the window, coffee in hand, letting the serene view of the ranch wash over me. It’s a different kind of busy here, a balancing act between managing clients and mom life that’s unexpectedly fulfilling. The routine has a nice rhythm to it, like a well-timed dance between professional hustle and playful timeouts with Luke.

And Sean? Well, the man’s got layers, and peeling them back reveals a guy who’s downright smitten with Luke. Seeing them together, how Sean lights up around our boy, it gives me a flicker of hope. His devotion is as palpable as the morning dew on the grass outside—genuine, fresh, promising.

It's enough to make a girl cautiously optimistic about this patchwork family we’re stitching together. Maybe, just maybe, we’re on the cusp of crafting something beautiful.

Leaning against the window sill, I let my gaze drift outside where Sean and his dad are engaged in some heavy lifting, heaving big boxes from the back of Jack’s truck. It’s hard not to watch—the way Sean’s muscles flex under the strain, his focus so intent it's almost tangible.

But then there's that nagging thought about his shoulder. He's been so evasive, brushing off any real talk about how he's managing the pain. Part of me wants to take his silence as a sign that he’s handling it, maybe even that it’s nothing to worry about. But then, I've got this little voice in the back of my head reminding me not to make assumptions.

Watching him now, though, as he moves with the kind of strength and ease that would be impossible if he were in serious pain, I can't help but feel a touch reassured. If his shoulder were really in a bad way, he wouldn't be out there, right?

Maybe, just maybe, he’s getting better, or at least managing it well enough not to let it slow him down. I let out a slow breath, the knot of worry in my stomach loosening just a tad, as I turn back to my work, the image of him lifting those boxes etched in a corner of my mind.

I catch myself staring a little too long as Sean and Jack finish up their task and part ways. Sean, with that casual swagger of his, heads towards the Airbnb. The heat must be getting to him because he lifts the bottom of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead, unintentionally giving me a perfect view of those chiseled abs.

For a moment, I'm absolutely transfixed, my lips catching between my teeth in a way that's embarrassingly appreciative.

Shaking off the flush of heat that's definitely not from the sun outside, I quickly gather my wits as Sean makes his way into the building. The sight of him all rugged and sweaty had me all sorts of distracted, but I need to pull it together.

He doesn’t keep me waiting long. Moments later, he strides into my makeshift office, his presence as commanding as ever. As he leans in to greet me with a kiss, the playful twinkle in his eye tells me he might have caught that admiring glance.

But I play it cool, returning his kiss with a mix of warmth and a feigned nonchalance. I might be all hot and bothered, but I’m not about to let him know just how much he affects me.

Sean saunters in closer, his curiosity piqued. “So, how’s the grind today? Making any headway on scrubbing up my tarnished rep?” He winks, leaning against my desk with that devil-may-care charm.

I laugh, shaking my head at his antics. “It’s going well. But, you know, it’d go a lot smoother if a certain someone fully embraced his role as doting dad and less of a troublemaker.” I give him a pointed look, tapping on my keyboard for emphasis.

“Oh, I was thinking more along the lines of... embracing a certain someone,” he counters, his voice dropping an octave as he steps closer. With a sexy smirk playing on his lips, he slips his hands onto my hips, his touch sending a familiar thrill through me.

He gently guides me back towards the bed, his intentions clear. But as tempting as it is to let him sweep me away, I press my palms against his impossibly solid chest, holding him at a playful distance.

“As much as I adore your distractions, I’m kind of in the zone right now. Raincheck?”

He studies me for a moment, his disappointment masked by a slowly spreading grin.

“You’re on.”

Then, he pulls me in for one more deep, lingering kiss that promises more. As he finally pulls away, leaving me a little breathless and a lot more focused, I can’t help but think I’ll definitely be cashing in that raincheck sooner rather than later.

I pause, a question popping into my head. "Speaking of distractions, what’s going on with your dad and Annie White? They seem pretty close."

Sean lingers in the doorway, a casual shrug lifting his shoulders. "Nah, Pops and Annie are just good friends, but you're right—they'd make a heck of a pair. Maybe we should play matchmakers."

I smirk, considering the possibilities. "Might be our next big project after fixing your PR mess," I tease.

He chuckles, nodding in agreement. "Deal. I'll take over Luke duty this afternoon, give you some peace to work your magic." His voice softens a bit. "What do you say about all of us heading into town for dinner later? A little family outing might be nice."

I can't help but smile at the thought. "Sounds perfect. It’ll be nice to switch off for a bit."

He nods, stepping closer to plant another kiss on my lips—a brief, sweet promise of the evening to come. "It's a date," he says, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and affection.

With one last grin, he turns to leave, and I turn back to my laptop, the lingering warmth of his kiss fueling my focus.