Modern Fairy Tale Read online

  “I can see that. It’s one of the reasons that Nina chose this resort for me.” He glances over my shoulder and smiles. “I have to know what’s up with the funny mugs.”

  “It’s a joke.” I turn to look at all of my mugs sitting in the glass cabinet. “People give them to me all the time. I’ve never been a morning person, and I have to say, these mugs make me smile and less grouchy in the morning. But I’ve accumulated so many, I can’t keep them all here, so I started stocking them in my rentals.”

  “They are funny.” He reaches out and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Should we go eat?”

  “Absolutely.” I lock up my house, and we drive less than a mile to downtown and my favorite breakfast spot, Ed’s Diner. It’s been in town since way before I was born, and the original owner, Ed himself, is still alive and well and manning the grill.

  We’re shown to a table, but Christian is spotted right away by what I’m assuming are tourists. They whisper amongst themselves, watching as we sit, and then whip out their phones to take photos from several tables away.

  “And it begins,” Christian mutters. His whole demeanor changes from relaxed to on guard. His muscles tense. His eyes go hard.

  “Hi,” a woman who has come to stand at our table says. “Can I please get a photo with you?”

  Christian looks at me, then stands and gives her a fake smile. “Sure.”

  And that’s all it takes for a line to form.

  “Oh my God, Jenna, I didn’t know that you’re friends with Christian Wolfe,” Misty Maddox says as I pull myself out of the booth. I can’t stand that bitch. She’s nosy and a mean girl in the classic sense of the term.

  I ignore her and walk into the kitchen. Ed looks up in surprise.

  “Hey there, baby girl,” he says with a wide smile. “I love it when a pretty girl walks into my kitchen.”

  “Hey, Ed. I need a favor.”

  “Anything.”

  I explain the situation to him while trying to keep an eye on what’s happening in the dining room.

  “I’m sorry to disrupt the diner like this. I didn’t expect it. This town is used to having celebrities walking about.”

  “The tourists aren’t,” he says with a scowl. “I’ll get some food ready to go for you so you can get out of here. I’m working on it right now. Do you know what you want?”

  We didn’t get that far.

  “Honestly, whatever is easiest is great. Neither of us is picky.”

  “Didn’t get a chance to look at the menu?” He winks at me and turns to the grill. “I’ve got this. Go rescue him.”

  I lean in and kiss Ed’s cheek and hurry back out to the dining room. The crowd around him has grown, but his smile hasn’t slipped.

  He looks cool and completely at ease.

  But I can see the tension in his muscles.

  “I just think you’re the best actor in Hollywood today,” Misty says as she sidles up next to him, sure to press her fake boobs against his side. “I’ve seen every single movie you’ve made.”

  “Well, I appreciate that,” he says and smiles for the camera, then brushes her aside so he can give the next person his attention.

  “Sorry, guys,” I announce as I push my way back to him. “We have to leave.”

  “But you just got here,” someone yells from the back.

  “This isn’t a photo op. The man is on vacation,” I reply just as Ed muscles his way through the crowd with a bag full of hot food.

  “Here you go,” he says kindly. “There’s plenty there since I didn’t know what you might want.”

  “Appreciate it,” Christian says with a nod. “How much do we owe you?”

  “I think I owe you this much, after the way these idiots behaved.”

  He doesn’t even try to lower his voice, and it makes me smile. Ed always did call it like he saw it.

  “Thanks again,” I say and link my fingers with Christian’s, but he pulls away, not even sparing me a glance.

  That hurts, I’m not going to lie.

  But I shouldn’t assume that just because we’re doing the deed that we’re a couple.

  Because we aren’t.

  And I need to remember that.

  “Follow me,” I say to Christian and walk out the door to my car. I set the food in the backseat, and once Christian is next to me, I take off. Most of the people in the diner are watching us pull away. “I’m really sorry about that.”

  “I should have known,” he says with a sigh and rubs his fingertips over his forehead. “I just wasn’t prepared for it.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like that here in town.”

  He shrugs a shoulder. “Look, I need to explain something to you. I let go of your hand—”

  “I know, it was dumb of me to try and hold your hand. I’m sorry. We’re totally not a couple, and I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Stop talking,” he says, surprising me. “That’s not what I was going to say. You can hold my hand all you want, Jenna. But not in public. Jesus, this is fucked-up.” He rubs his forehead again. “Someone will take a photo, and it’ll go viral. According to the press, I’m still dating Serena, which is a lie and it’s ridiculous, but it is what it is.”

  “I forget that you’re not just a guy,” I admit softly as I turn onto the road that leads up to the tree house. “Because you are that with me, and I don’t mean that as an insult. You’re a great guy, and you’re special to me.”

  “I get it,” he says. “We know each other outside of all the drama, and it’s the most normal relationship I have. I’m enjoying the hell out of it.”

  “And then I take you to a diner where you’re accosted.”

  He laughs now, and I can see his body start to relax. “Well, it was my fault. I let my guard down, and I can’t do that, especially in public.”

  “That must be exhausting.”

  I glance over at him. He’s watching the road ahead.

  “It can be.”

  “Well, Ed hooked us up with a ton of food, so at least we still get to eat breakfast.”

  “That’s the important thing.” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “I’m sorry that I pulled away. I saw the hurt in your eyes when I did it, and I wanted to pull you to me and kiss the fuck out of you.”

  “And here I thought I had a poker face.”

  “No.” He kisses my hand again. “I read people for a living. You may think you’re hiding your feelings, but they’re all there in your eyes, fancy face.”

  “Did you just call me fancy face?”

  He nods. “You’re stunning, Jenna. Someone’s told you that before.”

  I shrug. “Yeah. I hear that I look like Grace Kelly a lot.”

  “You’re more beautiful than Grace Kelly.”

  “It’s just the luck of the draw,” I reply as I pull into my parking space and cut the engine. Neither of us moves to leave the car. “It’s genetics. And while I’m grateful that my mom and dad had the right combination of DNA to produce pretty babies, I’d like to think that I’m also smart and funny and kind. Because those are the things that matter at the end of the day.”

  “You are those things, Jenna. And trust me when I say that I’ve met my share of beautiful people. You’re right, it’s the other things that matter, and it’s too often that what someone’s face looks like is the priority. Especially in my world.”

  “You have a pretty face,” I reply and give his cheek a little slap. “So pretty.”

  “You like to be spanked, don’t you?”

  I laugh now and reach back for our food. “I’m sassy when I’m hungry.”

  “No, I think you’re just sassy. And I’m going to keep calling you fancy face.”

  “Can I call you pretty boy?”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  Chapter Seven

  Jenna

  “Are you here?” Grace calls from my front door. I’m in town for the day, trying to get everything figured out with my house after the surprise
water damage the other day.

  “Back here!” I call out and finish putting away the mess that the repairmen made.

  “Hey, friend,” she says when she finds me. Grace is short and curvy with curly red hair and the sweetest face ever made. She just might be the sweetest person ever made.

  “Hi,” I reply and pull her in for a hug. “I’m excited I get to see you today.”

  “Same. We have a lot to talk about. You’ve been holding out on me.”

  I bite my lip and look away, but she’s right. I’ve totally been holding out on her.

  “Not to mention,” she continues, “I appreciate the ride up to the Lodge. It’ll be fun to see Jacob in his element.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” I reach for my coat and hat and lead her out to the garage. When we’re on our way, Grace doesn’t waste any time.

  “Christian Wolfe.”

  Just the mention of his name sends shivers over my skin.

  “Yes?”

  “Oh, please, I know he’s staying at your place, and I also know that you were seen with him downtown yesterday at Ed’s.”

  “The people in this town talk too much,” I grumble as we head up the mountain road. “First of all, I should have told you myself.”

  “Damn right,” she mutters.

  “And I’m sorry that you didn’t hear it from me. Just please tell me you didn’t hear it from Misty.”

  “Jesus, no,” she says as if I just asked her if she’d like to take a bath in split pea soup. “I don’t talk to that bitch.”

  “I thought maybe you ran into her,” I reply with a sigh. “So, yes, Christian has been staying in the tree house for a few days now.”

  “And you’re hanging out with him.”

  I glance over at her, and she looks like an excited teenager, which only makes me giggle.

  “You could call it that.”

  “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” She slaps my arm and then squeals in the seat. “Are you sleeping with him? Jenna Maxine, you better tell me if you’re sleeping with him.”

  “You’re going to make a great mom, what with using the middle name and all.”

  “Spill it!”

  “We do sleep sometimes, yes.”

  “I can’t believe it,” she says, shaking her head and making her curls bounce. “One of my best friends is fucking Christian Wolfe, the man I’ve daydreamed about for years.”

  “You are happily married to the sexiest Brit I know,” I remind her.

  “Oh, trust me, Jacob is damn hot and rocks my world pretty much every day. No complaints there at all. But Christian Wolfe.”

  “Yeah, he’s sexy.”

  “I can’t even,” she says and sighs as I pull into the valet at the Lodge. “Before we get out, I just have to know. Is it as good as I think it is?”

  I smile and cock a brow. “Girl, I didn’t know it could be this good.”

  “Damn it, I knew it.”

  A young man opens her door, and wraps both arms around her, helping her out of the car and making sure she’s safely inside as if she’s made of glass.

  “That was nice of him,” I comment as we walk into the restaurant.

  “Jacob’s trained them to be extra careful with me in the snow,” she says. “You know how clumsy I am, and with being pregnant, well, he’s protective.”

  “I love it,” I reply, and we take a seat near the windows that look out over the ski runs, watching people get on and off the chairlift. “It’s busy around here.”

  “I see much less of Jacob this time of year,” she says and takes a sip of her water. “He has plenty of staff and could leave it all up to them, but he’s very hands-on.”

  “And you like that he’s hands-on,” I reply with a wink, making her laugh.

  “Damn right.”

  Just after we order our lunch, both Jacob and Christian come walking into the dining room, smiling at us.

  “Holy shit, they could burn this place down with those smiles,” I whisper.

  “It should be illegal for them to be in the same place at the same time,” she agrees and stands so she can kiss her husband, who sweeps her up into his arms and kisses her as if no one is watching.

  It’s damn adorable.

  “Hey, fancy face,” Christian says and leans in to kiss my cheek, but he’s careful not to touch me otherwise and glances around to see if anyone is watching or aiming their phone at us.

  I don’t like that he has to live his life like this. And that I, in turn, have to do the same. We haven’t defined our relationship, but I’d say we’re a couple, and I am not the kind of person who hides things that matter.

  And this matters.

  “Darling, I’d like to introduce you to Christian Wolfe,” Jacob says and steps back when Grace turns to greet Christian.

  But in true Grace fashion, she trips on the chair and ends up in Christian’s arms.

  “Oops,” she says as her face brightens.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Christian says with a laugh as he helps her back to her feet.

  “I’ve pictured meeting you many ways over the years,” she says, “but knocked-up and swollen was never one of them.”

  “No?” Christian’s eyebrows climb into his hairline, and his eyes are full of humor. “How did it go?”

  “Well, I did end up in your arms, so…nailed it.” She laughs and leans into Jacob when he wraps an arm around her. “And we’ll just leave the rest to your imagination. I’m a fan, though, so it’s really great to meet you.”

  “Grace is one of my dearest friends,” I inform him as they all take seats around the table.

  “And how did the two of you meet?” Christian asks them.

  “I fell into his arms, too,” Grace says. “But, I’m always falling, so that’s nothing new. Have you guys eaten?”

  “I’m starving,” Christian says and accepts a menu from the waitress. “I’d love a burger and fries, ranch on the side, please.”

  “I wish I could eat like that,” Grace says and rubs her belly. “I’m not active enough these days.”

  “You’re eating for two,” I remind her with a laugh. “You could get away with a burger now and then.”

  “I’ll stick with the salad I ordered,” she replies, and Jacob laughs.

  “She’ll send me out for a burger for dinner, don’t let her fool you.”

  “I totally will,” she says with a nod. “So, Christian, are you enjoying Cunningham Falls?”

  “So far,” he says with a nod. “I came up to learn to ski for a movie, and it’s been really fun. The town is beautiful, and I have a stunning tour guide, as well, so I can’t complain.”

  The compliment sends my heart beating a mile a minute. He’s sweet, and although he’s not super affectionate in public—for good reason—he’s very attentive and charming, and the man can’t keep his hands off me when we’re in private.

  Let’s be honest, I can’t complain either.

  Lunch is fun, and just when Jacob and Grace have said goodbye, and Christian and I are heading out, I get a text from Max.

  Where are you? I’m at the tree house.

  I hurry and call him, rolling my eyes.

  “Everything okay?” Christian asks.

  “Yeah, it’s my brother.”

  “Yello,” Max answers, sounding happy-go-lucky. “Where are you?”

  “I’m on my way there, but don’t go in any of the units. They’re all rented out.”

  “Oh, cool. Good for you. Are you almost here?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there in five minutes. See you soon.” I hang up as the valet brings my car around. “Can I give you a ride, Mr. Wolfe?”

  “Sure.” We get inside, and I drive off toward the tree houses. “Why did you drive down?”

  “I was actually in town and picked up Grace there,” I reply. “I didn’t know Max was back in town.”

  We pull up next to my brother’s SUV and climb out. It’s snowing like crazy, and the wind has started to pick up.

  “Hey,
” I say and hug Max. “Let’s go in, the weather is getting nuts.”

  “I thought you said they’re rented?” he asks, eyeing Christian.

  “They are, but this is Christian. He’s renting the Tamarack. I’ve been staying with him.”

  I ignore Max’s scowl and walk into the tree house. Christian sheds his ski gear in the entryway while Max follows me into the kitchen.

  “Are you guys in here?” I hear Brad ask from the doorway. “Oh, hey, Christian.”

  “Hi, Brad. Jenna and Max are inside.”

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Max demands, shooting daggers at me from his position on the other side of the kitchen island.

  “A pipe burst at my house,” I reply and set to work making myself a cup of decaf. “Want some coffee?”

  “No, I don’t want any fucking coffee. I want to know what in the hell is going on.”

  I turn to my brother and prop my hands on my hips. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”

  “Why are you staying with a guest? My house is empty. Hell, Brad has an extra bedroom.”

  Christian walks into the room and smiles at Max. “We haven’t met. I’m Christian Wolfe. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Max looks at Christian’s outstretched hand and then glares at me without accepting it.

  “You’re fucking around with a guest?”

  “Oh, Jesus, Max. Calm the hell down.”

  “I’m gone for a week, and all hell breaks loose.”

  I can’t help the snort-laugh that comes out of me. “You’re being really dramatic. All hell has not broken loose unless you count the fact that my house got flooded. Then, yes, that was hell.”

  “And you’re screwing around—”

  “So, here’s the thing,” Christian says calmly, but his voice, and his eyes are hard. “I get that you don’t know me from Adam and that it’s a surprise to you that she’s staying here with me, but Jenna isn’t a child.”

  “She’s my sister,” Max replies, then pins Brad with a stare. “Did you know about this?”

  “She is a grown woman, man. And I like him.” Brad shrugs, and Max’s jaw drops.

  “Why are you so weird about this?” I demand as I put sugar and cream into my coffee. “I hate to break the news to you, but I wasn’t a virgin when I met Christian.”