Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,39

better than to push her. She would only pull back farther. The trip to New York might just be what he needed to get her back all the way and nudge her in the direction he’d been hoping for.

“When do we leave?” he asked, mentally trying to move a few things on his schedule around. He’d have to confirm that his foreman had everything he needed for the work around the campgrounds.

There was work being done on three new cabins, as well as fixing a few minor things on Zoey and Dylan’s home, which they’d already moved into since returning home from their honeymoon. Not to mention that he was overseeing the construction of the new housing subdivision he was working on with Owen.

When Owen had come to him about starting up the development of over fifteen hundred homes, he’d jumped at the chance. Hammock Cove was going to draw a lot of opportunity to his small hometown of Pelican Point.

Besides, he couldn’t pass up the chance to work with the Costas. His part of the new subdivision was almost complete. He’d designed and overseen the construction of the club house, pools, and sports complex attached to the property. The homes were the next phase and construction would begin on those in the spring.

“We’ll leave tomorrow,” Aubrey supplied, shaking him from mentally moving his schedule around.

“I’ll get you a flight,” Hannah broke in. “And find a place for the two of you to stay.” She typed something on her phone.

He felt bad now that he hadn’t paid more attention to the plans they had been brewing up. What exactly was he being dragged into?

He figured they had plenty of time to discuss everything during their trip.

“Done.” Hannah glanced up at them with a smile.

“You booked us tickets and found us a place to stay that quickly?” Aubrey asked with a frown.

Hannah chuckled. “It’s easy when you have a fiancé that owns his own private jet and you know someone who owns a home in the city that’s empty for the next month. Owen’s going to text the both of you the details of your trip.” She shrugged and set down the iPad. “He’s arranging your flight right now.” She leaned back. “Now, since dinner is cancelled for us, can we talk weddings?”

Aiden set his empty beer down and stood up. “This is where I exit. I need food.” He glanced down at Aubrey. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said before leaving the friends and making his way to the kitchen to see if there was anything left over after the dinner hour.

He enjoyed living on the campgrounds. Even though his trailer was technically on the edge of the property, he still had access to all the amenities, including the world-renowned chef Isaac Andrews. If it weren’t for being on his feet all day and working so hard, he’d probably be a hundred pounds overweight thanks to the great meals he had access to each day.

“Hey.” He stepped into the kitchen and glanced around. “Isaac around?”

“Nope,” Betty answered him with a smile. “But he did leave you a plate.” She motioned to the covered container under the heater. “Told me if you didn’t stop by, I’d better send out a search party for you.” She laughed and went back to cleaning.

“Thanks.” He smiled. Okay, so he was making it a habit to swing by the kitchen for dinner a little too often. Then again, at this rate, he hardly ever left the two sites he was working on.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a few days off. Maybe heading to New York was going to be a well-deserved break.

Taking the meal with him, he made his way towards his truck and was slightly surprised to see Aubrey leaning against it.

“Hey,” he said, shifting the food.

“Hey,” she sighed. “You don’t have to go with me. I don’t know why Elle suggested you tag along.”

“No, they’re right. It would be better if I went.” He set the food inside his truck and then turned to her. “Unless you don’t want me to go?”

She remained quiet for a moment. “It’s just… we don’t have to pretend we’re an item. I don’t even know why that should be a thing with my father.”

He noticed she was playing with the diamond heart he’d given her when she said that. He smiled as his eyebrows shot up at her last words.

“I guess I’d zoned out on that part.” He smiled slightly as her