19. Lainey
NINETEEN
LAINEY
I stare at the gleaming facade of Le Chateau, the fanciest restaurant in Cooper Hills. The kind of place with a months-long waiting list and a wine menu thicker than most novels.
The kind of place I have no business being, especially after the night I've had.
Every muscle aches as I climb the marble steps, a pleasant soreness that brings heat to my cheeks when I remember how it got there. Marcus's hands, his mouth, the way he took me apart and put me back together...
I shiver despite the warm sun, tugging self-consciously at my outfit.
The only reason I dragged myself here is because I promised Derrick. He sounded so insistent on the phone, I didn't have the heart to bail. I just hope this mystery lunch won't take long. All I want is a hot bath and ten hours of uninterrupted sleep, preferably with Marcus wrapped around me.
When I get inside, the ma?tre d' leads me to a private dining room in the back. I'm surprised to find Derrick already there, looking uncomfortable in a crisp navy suit. He keeps tugging at his collar like it's choking him.
"Hey, kiddo,” he says, rising to give me an awkward hug. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course." I eye him curiously. "What's with the suit? Are you on a date or something?"
Derrick clears his throat, glancing over his shoulder. "Actually, there are some people I want you to meet."
He gestures to a couple seated at the table who I hadn't even noticed. The woman looks to be in her early forties, with salon-perfect hair and a string of pearls at her throat. The man beside her seems a bit older, distinguished with a neat goatee.
They both give me polite smiles that don't quite reach their eyes.
"Jessica, Adam, I'd like you to meet my sister, Lainey. Lainey, this is Adam and Jessica Van Buren."
I paste on a smile, shaking their manicured hands. They radiate the kind of polished wealth that screams "Cooper Hills old money."
"Lovely to meet you, Lainey," Jessica says, her smile not quite reaching her cool blue eyes. "Derrick's told us so much about you and your charming little diner."
Charming little diner. I bristle at the condescension dripping from her tone.
Derrick clears his throat. "Jessica is a member of the Walker family.”
Jessica laughs lightly. "Well, by marriage at least. My stepsister Sophia is Colt Walker's wife."
I nod politely, but I could care less who she’s related to.
The snooty-looking host leads us to our table, and I take my seat gingerly, feeling more out of place by the second. Jessica orders wine for the table, something with a lot of syllables and an even bigger price tag.
The small talk stretches on through the appetizers, I pick at my salad, my stomach twisting with unease. The conversation flows around me, but I can't focus on anything besides the growing knot of dread in my stomach.
Something about this whole situation feels off, staged. Like I'm being set up for something I won't like.
I take a large gulp of the overpriced wine, hoping it will calm my nerves. But it just makes my head swim.
Finally, as our entrees arrive, Adam leans forward and gets to the point.
"So Lainey, Derrick tells us you've been running the diner on your own since your father passed. That must be quite a challenge for someone so young."
I bristle at his patronizing tone. "It's a lot of work, but I'm managing just fine, thanks."
Jessica makes a sympathetic noise. "It must be so difficult, shouldering all that debt on your own."
My head snaps up, but Derrick is suddenly very interested in his steak.
"I'm sure you're doing your best, dear," Jessica continues. "But the fact is, that property is worth far more than a small-town diner can bring in. It has so much untapped potential."
Adam nods. "Potential that we'd like to help you realize, Lainey. We want to make you an offer. Two million for the land and the business, debt included. A chance for a clean slate."
The number kickstarts my heart, but not in a good way.
Two million is a fraction of what that land is worth, and they know it. They're trying to take advantage of my situation, the debt that Derrick's mistakes have saddled us with.
I take a long sip of water, trying to steady my nerves.
"I appreciate your interest," I say slowly, placing my glass down with a clink. "But the diner isn't for sale. It's my family legacy, and I intend to keep it that way."
The temperature at the table drops by several degrees.
Jessica and Adam exchange a look, something cold and calculating in their eyes.
"Hang on a second, Lainey," Derrick cuts in, his voice strained. "The Van Burens are offering us an incredible opportunity here."
Red-hot anger licks up my spine, chasing away the last of my nerves. How dare he try to ambush
"If you'll excuse me," I say tightly, standing so quickly my chair screeches against the floor. "I need a minute."
I don't wait for a response, just stride toward the restrooms on shaking legs, blood roaring in my ears. I barely make it around the corner before Derrick catches up to me, his fingers closing around my elbow.
"What the hell, Lainey?" he hisses. "Do you have any idea how many strings I had to pull to set this up?"
I wrench my arm from his grip, vibrating with fury.
“I don’t care how long it took you to set this up. What makes you think I would ever sell our family’s diner for a fraction of what it's worth?"
Derrick's expression softens.
"Lainey, I know you're sentimental about the diner. Believe me, I get it. It's where we grew up, where Dad built his dream from the ground up. But just think about what you could do with two million dollars. You could travel, go back to school, start a whole new life. Isn't there something you've always wanted to do, something you've put on hold to keep the diner going?"
I shake my head, my throat tight.
"The diner is what I want, Derrick. It's what I've always wanted. It's not just a building or a business. It's our family's heart and soul. Dad's legacy. How can you even think about selling it?"
Derrick runs a hand through his hair, frustration etched in every line of his face.
"Because I need this, Lainey. I really, really need this deal to happen."
A sick feeling settles in my gut as the pieces click into place. The desperation in Derrick's eyes, the way he's pushing so hard for me to sell.
"You're in debt again, aren’t you?”
Derrick's silence is all the confirmation I need. I let out a shaky breath, anger and disappointment warring in my chest.
"Lainey, please," Derrick pleads, desperation etched into every line of his handsome face. "You don't understand. Enzo is closing in. He wants his money, and he wants it now. I don't have a choice."
I stare at my brother in disbelief, my heart hammering against my ribs. The bustling sounds of the restaurant fade into the background as his words sink in.
"Are you serious right now? After everything we've been through, after all the sacrifices I've made to keep the diner afloat, you've gotten yourself mixed up with Enzo again?"
Derrick flinches at the sharpness in my tone, but I can't bring myself to feel guilty. Not when the future of our family legacy hangs in the balance.
"It's not like that," he insists, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "I had a sure thing, Lainey. An investment that was going to pay off big time. But then the deal fell through, and now I'm in too deep."
I shake my head, anger and disappointment swirling in my gut like a toxic cocktail.
"Wake up, Derrick! Can't you see that Enzo is using you? He wants you to be in debt. He thrives on having power over people, on pulling their strings like some twisted puppet master."
Derrick's jaw clenches, a muscle ticking beneath his skin.
"You don't know him like I do. He's not all bad. He's just a businessman."
A harsh laugh escapes my lips. "Oh, I know exactly what kind of businessman he is. The kind who preys on people's weaknesses, who exploits their desperation for his own gain."
I step closer, my voice dropping to a fierce whisper.
"What do you think is going to happen when Enzo finds out you're talking to the Van Burens? That you're trying to sell the diner out from under him? Do you really believe he's just going to let that slide?"
Derrick's eyes widen, a flicker of fear crossing his face before he masks it with bravado.
"He won't find out. The Van Burens know how to keep things quiet."
I roll my eyes.
"Enzo Castellano has eyes and ears everywhere. He probably knew about this meeting before you even set it up."
Derrick's shoulders slump, the fight draining out of him like air from a punctured tire.
"Lainey, please," Derrick begs, his voice cracking with desperation. "I don't have any other options. If I don't pay Enzo back, I don't even want to think about what he'll do."
I stare at my brother, taking in the dark circles under his eyes. As angry as I am, a part of me aches for him.
But I can't let that sway me. Not this time.
"I'm sorry, Derrick," I say softly, my voice firm despite the emotions swirling inside me. "But I'm not selling the diner. Not to the Van Burens, not to Enzo, not to anyone."
Derrick's eyes flash with anger.
"Wow," he says. "I really thought you, of all people, would have my back on this."
I laugh, the sound harsh and humorless in the charged air between us.
"I've always had your back, Derrick. I've spent years cleaning up your messes. But I'm done enabling you. It's time for you to figure this out on your own."
I don't wait for his response.
I just turn on my heel and walk away, head high even as my hands tremble and my heart thunders in my ears. I walk out of the restaurant, out into the bright mountain sunlight, and I don't stop until I reach my truck.
Only then, keys clutched in my white-knuckled grip, do I let myself feel the full weight of what just happened.
But even as the doubts swirl in my head, I think of this morning. Of waking up safe and protected in Marcus's arms. Of the way he looked at me, touched me, like I was something precious. Something cherished.
Something worth fighting for.
I think of my diner, my parents' dream, the only piece of them I have left.
I think of everything I stand to lose, and everything I've already lost.
And I know that I can't give up. Not now, not ever.
I've spent my whole life putting everyone else first - Derrick, Axel, and the endless parade of customers who need me to be strong and unshakeable.
But last night with Marcus lit a fire in me. It showed me that I'm more than just sweet, dependable Lainey, always eager to please.
I'm strong. I'm brave.
And I'm done letting anyone use my heart against me.
The weeks fly past in a blur of early mornings at the diner and late nights with Marcus, and before long, it’s the day of Lorena Castellano’s wedding.
As Ruby and I pull up to the Fit Mountain Resort, I’m struck by how the glass facade towers against the mountain backdrop.Even after all these years, it’s still crazy how much the Walker brothers transformed the mountain.
I've heard stories over the years about Callum Walker, the mountain man who dared to dream big. They say he came back to Cooper Hills with nothing but determination and a vision - to turn this sleepy mountain town into a world-class resort destination. But everyone in town thought he was crazy.
Everyone except Penny.
Legend has it that on the night Callum was about to give up, Penny showed up at his door to deliver his pizza during a storm. He took one at her and was a goner.
Within months, they were married. And then, with Penny’s love and the help of Callum’s brothers, the Fit Mountain Resort was born.
I remember how Ruby and I used to swoon over Callum and Penny's love story as teens. Penny was a poor girl in her twenties, just like us, working two jobs to make ends meet. And she went from delivering pizzas to becoming the heart and soul of a mountain empire.
But even after all these years of hearing the story, it's still crazy to see the resort up close. The sheer scale of it takes my breath away.
We circle around to the valet stand, Ruby handing over her keys with only mild trepidation. The uniformed attendant whisks her beat-up Civic away, looking slightly bemused among the sea of luxury vehicles.
As we head inside, I'm hit by a wave of climate-controlled air and the soft tinkling of piano music. The lobby is a masterpiece of modern mountain chic - all gleaming wood and stone, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
“Wow," Ruby whispers, her eyes wide. "It's like we stepped into another world."
She's not wrong. Everything gleams with wealth and careful curation, from the artfully arranged wildflower bouquets to the crystal chandeliers dripping from the vaulted ceilings.
The pre-wedding reception is in full swing. Guests in designer suits and cocktail dresses mingle, champagne flutes in hand. Waiters weave through the crowd with trays of hors d'oeuvres. A string quartet plays in the corner, their music nearly drowned out by the hum of conversation.
I scan the room for Marcus, but there's no sign of his tall frame or salt-and-pepper hair. My stomach does a little flip. After weeks of stolen moments, the thought of seeing him in public, surrounded by half the town, sets my nerves on edge.
"Earth to Lainey," Ruby says, nudging me. "You with me?"
I blink, realizing I've been standing frozen in place. "Sorry, just... taking it all in."
Ruby's gaze sharpens. "Uh-huh. You mean looking for your man?”
Before I can stammer out a denial, she grabs my arm.
“Hey, isn't that Axel over there?"
I follow her gaze to find Axel deep in conversation with a couple near the doorway. He looks every inch the rising star in his perfectly tailored suit, his usually messy hair styled with careful precision. When he spots us, his face breaks into a grin.
“There are my favorite Cooper Heights ladies,” Axel calls out, waving us over. “Come here. I want you to meet some people.”
As we approach, I recognize the man instantly.
Brody Clayton, a local rodeo star, stands tall in a perfectly cut charcoal suit that emphasizes his athletic build, his usual cowboy confidence translated seamlessly into formal wear. His wife Savannah is stunning in a deep emerald dress that flows like water, her dark hair swept up in an elegant twist.
“Ruby, Lainey, meet Brody and Savannah Clayton,” Axel says. “Though I guess everyone knows Brody from his record-breaking season.”
“The rodeo coverage barely does it justice,” Ruby says. “That final ride at the championship was insane.”
Brody’s laugh is warm and genuine.
“Pure luck and a very angry bull. Though the press made it sound much more impressive.”
“He says that about all his wins,” Savannah adds, sharing a fond look with her husband.
“Savannah is the editor of Fit Mountain Monthly ,” Axel explains. “They’re doing a big spread on the wedding, showcasing all the local talent involved. Highland Rye is getting featured, too.”
"The band has this incredible cross-mountain appeal," Savannah explains, her voice warm with enthusiasm. "They blend that raw Cooper Heights energy with polished Cooper Hills production. It's exactly the kind of local success story we love to highlight."
"Cross-mountain appeal, huh?" Ruby elbows Axel playfully. "Fancy way of saying you clean up nice for the rich folks."
Axel laughs, running a hand through his carefully styled hair.
"Hey, I'm just a simple Heights boy at heart. The Hills crowd just happens to have excellent taste in music."
"So, how long have you two known Axel?" Savannah asks, her keen eyes moving between Ruby and me. "I'd love to get some quotes from old friends for the article."
Ruby grins. "Oh, we go way back. I've been keeping his ego in check since high school."
"Someone has to," I add, nudging Axel playfully.
“Don’t let them fool you,” Axel grins. "These two are my best friends. And they’ve been my biggest supporters from day one. Even when I was just a scrawny kid with a beat-up guitar, playing terrible covers at Lainey’s family diner."
Ruby's eyes light up with mischief. "Oh, those early days were something else. Remember that time you tried to play 'Wonderwall' and your guitar string snapped mid-chorus?"
I can't help but laugh at the memory. "The look on your face when it hit you in the eye..."
"Hey now," Axel protests, but he's grinning too. "I'll have you know that black eye made me look very rock and roll."
"If by 'rock and roll' you mean 'like you lost a fight with a doorknob,'" Ruby quips.
Brody and Savannah are laughing now too, clearly charmed by our easy banter.
"I love it." Savannah jots something down in the small notebook she’s pulled from her clutch. "Nothing keeps a rising star grounded like old friends who remember the awkward phases."
"Oh, we're experts at keeping Axel humble," Ruby assures her. "It's a full-time job, but someone's got to do it."
"But seriously," I add, wanting to give Axel his due. "Even back then, you could see how talented he was. It didn't matter if it was a crowd of two or two hundred. Axel has always had a gift for making everyone feel connected.”
"It's true," Ruby chimes in, her usual snark giving way to sincerity. "You had that spark, even back then. We all knew you were going places."
Savannah scribbles furiously in her notebook, clearly delighted by this glimpse behind the rising star facade. "This is gold," she murmurs.
She opens her mouth, likely to ask another question, when a melodic chime echoes through the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a smooth voice announces over the sound system, "the ceremony will begin in five minutes. Please make your way to your seats."
The crowd around us begins to move, a sea of designer dresses and tailored suits flowing toward the ceremony space.
"We should get going," Brody says, offering his arm to Savannah. "It was great meeting you all. Axel, we'll catch up more at the reception?"
"Sounds good," Axel nods to Brody and Savannah as they depart. Then he turns to me and Ruby, offering his arms with an exaggerated flourish.
"Shall we, my lovely plus-twos?"
Ruby rolls her eyes but links her arm through his.
"I suppose we can allow you to escort us, Mr. Big Shot."
I take his other arm, laughing.
"As long as you promise not to trip over your own feet like at prom."
"Hey now," Axel protests good-naturedly. "I thought we agreed never to speak of that again."
We make our way into the ceremony space, a stunning glass-walled room with breathtaking mountain views. Rows of white chairs face an altar adorned with cascading flowers in shades of blush and ivory.
As we join the flow of guests heading into the ceremony space, I catch sight of Marcus stationed at the main entrance. He stands powerful and alert in his black suit, every inch the security professional.
When his eyes land on my arm linked through Axel’s, his entire body goes rigid. The muscle in his jaw flexes as his gaze tracks our movement, and the possessive heat in his stare burns straight through me.
The way his hands flex at his sides tells me exactly what he’s thinking. How much he hates seeing me on Axel’s arm, even innocently. How badly he wants to stake his claim. The ceremony hasn’t even started, but I already know this evening is far from over.