"No, Dad. I've just seen you with five women over this last week. I'm just a little surprised." I shrugged.

"I'm not willing to commit to anyone until I find the right woman. It's simple really." He picked his paper back up.

"Right, but are you just taking them to dinner?"

"None of your business." He ignored me and turned a little, making sure I knew that the conversation was officially over.

I picked up my plate and walked to the sink, unable to help myself from making one final remark.

"I'm just saying that if some guy was trying me on for size with a one night stand that you'd be pissed." I walked back to my brother's room, hoping to find him awake, but willing to raise the dead if not.

The second thing I learned was that my little brother was capable of growing tall and muscular with nothing more than Cheeze-Its and gummy worms. He hated me for it, but I'd been cooking over the last week and had forced him to eat a square meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He and my Dad both seemed beyond appreciative by day three.

Other than hanging out and playing video games, the week had been spent drawing new designs and skyping with Jessie. After ignoring Seth for a few days he got the hint and stopped trying to communicate with me. Part of me missed having someone who wanted to spend time with me, who seemed genuinely interested in my day, but it was all a ruse. Seth wanted a blond robot that moaned when he said moan and sat quietly most of the rest of the time.

We'd been in more fights about his caveman mannerisms than I had time to analyze.

I knocked on Parker's door and smiled at the deep grunt I got.

"I'll assume that's a 'come on in'." I walked in and pressed my fingers to my nose. "It smells like sweaty balls in here."

He chuckled and snorted before throwing a pillow at me. "Then get the fuck out! It's like ten in the morning. The sun's not even out."

"That's because we're in the middle of a winter vortex. This sucky-ass place you and Dad stay at every Christmas has to go. Let's start a new tradition. We could go to the Bahamas or Miami. Somewhere warm." I plopped down in a chair next to Parker's bed and tugged a remote from underneath me.

"Christmas isn't supposed to be warm. What's the matter with you?" He sat up, his brown hair a wild mess. "You grow up and all the fun’s been sucked right out of you. Tell me what age it happens at so I can be on the lookout. I refuse to give up on being a kid."

"I'm still a kid, too." I threw a dirty sock at him, smacking him in the face with it.

He chucked it back and flopped back down. "Not even close. You fixed broccoli and Brussel sprouts this week. Definitely adult food."

I laughed, unable to help myself. "I need to get out of here today. It's Saturday. What's there to do?"

"Lots, but it would require you to get out into the snow." He rolled over and I got up, pushing at his back until I shoved him from the bed. He hit the floor with a loud thud before jumping up and running after me.

I hauled ass into the kitchen and ran around my father, shoving him in between us as Parker attacked the other side of him.

"Hey! You guys are too old for this. Cut it out."

I turned my Dad with a tight hold on his pockets, forcing him to become a shield to fend off my brother. "Not happening, Dad. He's after me and you're my only hope."

"Luke...I am your father." My brother gave his best Darth Vader voice, which only opened me up to the worst morning breath in the universe.

"Go brush your teeth, Parker. That's disgusting." My father jerked from us and walked to the sink, turning once to give us a disgusted stare.

"That breath could melt wax, dude." I pushed at his head and he walked back down the hall grumbling.

"What are your plans today, Chloe?" My father spoke with his back to me.

"I'm going into town to look around. I wanted to check out your clothing line and see what other shops in the area are up to. I thought maybe I could make a few suggestions seeing that you paid big bucks for this degree I now have."

"You will have. You don't have it yet. Grades haven't come in for this final semester. I checked." He turned toward me and crossed his arms over his chest. "And I don't need anyone analyzing my products. The line is selling well. Spend your time figuring out which products you plan to sell. Before you get a penny, all of them will have to go through me. I'm not investing in anything I don't think will sell."

"You're investing in me, remember?"

"I'm still reviewing the designs. Conversation over."

"No, it's not. That wasn't part of the deal. Staying here for twenty-five days was all that you required of me. You're not reviewing my designs because you're a winter wear guy. These designs are for warm-weather climates and beach vacations."

"And there are a million of those companies already doing well. Find a niche and become the business woman you're capable of being. You’re limiting yourself and I'm not okay with that."

I lifted my hand and walked back toward my room. "I'm packing up and leaving. You lied, which shouldn't surprise me at all."

"Chloe Ann Burke. Stop right there, young lady."

I paused out of what little bit of respect I had left for him.

My brother slipped his head out of his room, his eyes wide. "You're in for it now. Is your middle name even Ann?"

I rolled my eyes and turned to face my Dad. "What?"

"You're not going anywhere, but part of this deal is us agreeing on what products you're going to sell. I'm not going to lay down an iron hammer, but you are going to have to share them with me. Stop being a child."

"Right." I turned and walked to my room, slamming the door and working quickly to get dressed. A pair of jeans and a cute sweater, and I was out the door.

My father's SUV was gone and Parker was busy playing video games from what I could tell. I texted him that I was heading into town and would be back later.

My Dad was an ass and would change the rules any way he needed to in order to fit his own agenda. I knew that coming. Now I just needed to figure out how to deal with it.

Proving my worth and talent was at the top of the list. He saw me as a child. Jessie was right. I needed to show him the talented designer I'd become. Then he would listen to me.

"First stop...Burke's Outdoor Wear."

* * * *

I was milling through the large ski and sportswear store that my Dad owned when my phone buzzed. It was a number I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Cindy?" I picked up and smiled as I moved toward the snowboards and paused in the middle aisle.

"Hey, Chloe! I was praying this was still your number. How are you?"

"Wow. I'm great. My God, it's been like six years, right?"

"Since before college, but yeah. I've been traveling the world with my family, but we're finally back. I wanted to see where you were. I know your Dad usually made you guys go to Aspen during this time of the year, but wasn't sure."

"I'm here, girl. Hating every minute of it."

"No you're not, but either way, that's great news. You remember Janet and Kinsey, right?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded my head. "Of course I do, silly. We were all best friends in high school. I spoke to Janet around March this last year. Funny how growing up means losing touch with people that you thought would always be in your life.”

"Well, they're in Vail right now, and I've got a layover in Aspen tonight. I just realized that I should call you guys to see if you're up for getting together."