Chapter 17
seventeen
. . .
Presley
“I can’t believe this is really happening,” Lola said when we met Brax at his office and signed the agreement for the building that the spa would be going into. “I can’t believe you’re actually buying the whole building.”
My father and I had discussed it, and we’d decided to go in as partners on the building and purchase it instead of renting the space. It was a wise investment, and I had 100 percent faith in my best friend.
“Who better to invest in than you?” I signed the contract, and Brax was going to take the contract over to my father at the ranch to sign the other docs.
“Damn. I hope I can pull this off.” Lola had a wicked grin on her face. “It would help if I had a partner.”
“You do have a partner. I’m here, aren’t I? I’m just not going to be working the day-to-day side of the business. But I’m involved. I’m invested. I believe,” I sang out.
Brax laughed and pushed to his feet as we said our goodbyes and left with the keys in hand.
“You sure have been in a good mood lately. Acting all happy and light.”
“As opposed to what?” I laughed as we walked the short distance to the new building.
“Well, come on. You know you’ve had that whole Wednesday Addams vibe going these last few years. Dressing in black and not smiling a whole lot.” She smirked because she was full of shit. But I was willing to admit that I felt lighter than I had in a very long time.
Plus, I was having all the orgasms a girl could ask for these last two weeks. I just wasn’t telling her about it. I kind of liked having this secret with Cage. Something that was just for me and him.
This morning he’d dropped to his knees in one of the empty stalls in the barn and buried his head between my legs until I could barely contain my cries. Hell, the horses had started making noises as if they knew what was going on.
“Well, my divorce went through. Isn’t that reason enough to be happy?” The judge had approved our wishes to dissolve our marriage, as we’d both signed and agreed to the terms.
“It doesn’t explain the fact that you’re glowing. You have that whole I’m having multiple orgasms a day look. Are you going to tell me I’m wrong?”
“I’m going to tell you that it’s been good to be back here. My dad is making progress. I’m seeing old friends.” I shrugged as we paused in front of the building, and I handed her the keys.
“Old friends, huh? It sure seems like Cage is over at that barn of yours an awful lot. And Gracie’s taking riding lessons a couple of days a week. Are you still going to tell me that nothing is going on?”
Cage, Gracie, and I had fallen into a routine, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was the reason I had a permanent smile on my face.
I’d get up and work for a few hours in the morning, then join my father for breakfast, just in time to meet Cage in the barn. He came by almost daily now to check on the horses. We’d go for rides and sneak in a little time together under the trees out in the middle of nowhere, where it was just us.
I most definitely have that I’m having multiple orgasms a day glow.
And I was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
My father had made so much progress that Baxter and Louie were blown away. It was inspiring to see how hard he was working, and the fact that it was paying off was a bonus.
Most afternoons, Gracie would come by for a riding lesson, and the three of us even had dinner together a few nights this week.
“I’m just saying that I’m happy, Lo.”
“I know you are. It looks good on you,” she said as she pushed open the door.
“Don’t bring any of this up when we go to dinner tonight, okay?”
“You think Brinkley Reynolds isn’t going to sniff this shit out? I’m not even observant, and I know something’s going on.” She laughed as we both walked through the space and brainstormed ideas.
“I can handle Brinkley. Just don’t add fuel to the fire. What are your plans for design? Have you thought about it?”
“Well, my bestie is an investor in the business, and she’s also a talented painter. I thought maybe she could paint a mural in the meditation room.”
“Really? You don’t want to do swanky wallpaper?”
“I don’t. I want it to be earthy and cool and vibey.” She chuckled.
“All right. I’d be happy to paint a mural when the time comes.
” When was the last time that I’d painted?
It had always been therapeutic to me to paint, but I’d stopped after Wes and I got married.
He’d been very particular about the art in our home, and he knew painting was a hobby of mine, but it wasn’t something I’d ever shared with him.
“Great. I’ll send you some photos of what I have in mind. Hopefully, we can get construction going sooner rather than later.” She glanced down at her phone. “Oh, we’re going to be late. It’s already time to meet the girls for dinner.”
It was the first afternoon in two weeks that I hadn’t seen Cage and Gracie, and he’d already pouted about it this morning, which made me laugh.
We’d kept things very private, only meeting at the barn, but we’d have dinner at his house, and we’d even started venturing out with the three of us.
We’d been to Reynolds’ a few times, but Gracie was with us, and Cage explained that we’d just finished riding, so Hugh and Lila hadn’t questioned it.
Brinkley would be another story.
After some inappropriate yet completely typical conversation with Mrs. Runither, she led us to our table in the back.
“I love bringing Lincoln here because he gets so awkward with how touchy Mrs. Runither is.” Brinkley had a wicked smirk on her face.
“Well, Finn loves it. He eggs her on,” Reese said as she opened the menu. “And have I mentioned that this baby has an appetite because I’m always starving.”
We all laughed, and Georgia told us how Maddox refused to come to Cottonwood Café because he felt like he was being violated. She shook her head with a big smile on her face. Lila told us that Hugh always wraps his arms around her when they walk in, so it sort of wards old Mrs. Runither off.
“Damn. You all have these hot men, and I’m still single. How is that fair?” Lola asked.
“Maddox’s brother is single,” Georgia said with her eyes wide. “You would love Wyle.”
Lola put her hands up. “I’ve heard about him from Madison and Felicia, who told me he’s charming and gorgeous and completely unattainable. I’ve had plenty of that, thank you. I’m over the good-looking playboys. Been there. Done that.”
“Well, if he met the right woman, I think he’d settle down,” Georgia said. We paused to place our orders quickly and then jumped right back into the conversation.
“I totally agree. He just hasn’t met the right woman,” Lila said.
“Any time you start a sentence with If he met the right woman, it’s a huge red flag for me. That’s just asking for a lot of heartache.”
“Speaking of unattainable men… You and my brother seem to be spending a lot of time together,” Brinkley said, her gaze finding mine.
“Yeah. It’s been nice catching up after all these years. He’s helping a ton at the barn right now, but I think my dad found someone who can start in a few weeks.”
I cleared my throat and reached for my glass of wine, trying to act completely at ease while Lola squeezed my hand beneath the table.
“Interesting.” Brinkley reached for her glass.
“I stopped by to see Gracie on my way over here, and she went on and on about how much she loves riding with you every day. And apparently, she loves it when she and her daddy have dinner with you, which is almost every night.” She raised a brow as a wide grin spread across her face.
The server set our food down, and I thanked her before looking up to see everyone gaping at me, waiting for an answer.
“I love riding with her, too. And it’s been nice to spend time with her and Cage.
I know you all have questions, but can you give me a pass on this one?
I don’t want to analyze it. I just want to just enjoy the time I have with them. ”
Georgia’s eyes watered, Lola smiled like she was proud that I hadn’t denied it, Reese had her hands on her heart like I’d just said I was pregnant with twins, Lila was nodding in agreement, and Brinkley’s gaze completely softened.
“I love that you didn’t make up some crazy story.
You’re clearly a gifted lawyer. And that’s a fair request. Listen, we all want you to enjoy the time you have here because I haven’t seen my brother this happy in a long time.
So, even if it’s just for a few weeks, I’ll take it.
” Brinkley picked up a chicken finger and took a bite.
That was easy. I didn’t have to admit to anything, yet I’d found a way not to answer the questions.
“Can’t you be a lawyer in Cottonwood Cove?” Georgia asked as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
“Trust me, I’ve tried to talk her into it.
But she’s really good at what she does for a living, and all those rich fuckers depend on her in New York.
Plus, that whole magazine article has gone viral, so she’s like the face of the modern woman back there right now.
” Lola bit off the top of a french fry. “But when she gets tired of the rat race, she can come run the spa with me.”
“I cannot wait for you to open the doors. And you’re right down the street from my office,” Reese said. “We can have lunch all the time.”
“Consider it done.”
“Hey, my office isn’t too far. Don’t forget to text me when you meet up.” Georgia threw her hands in the air.
“I’ll meet you guys when we’re here in town. And, Presley, I’m in the city now half the year, so you’ll have to come over and see the house,” Brinkley said. Her husband was a famous quarterback for the New York Thunderbirds.
“I’d love that.”
My phone vibrated, and I looked down to see a text from Cage.
Cowboy
Hey. How’s dinner?
Good. Miss me?
Cowboy
I do. Gracie’s asleep. What if I sneak you in for a few hours?
You don’t think you need a break from me for a night?
Cowboy
I don’t need a break. I need you naked in my bed.
I’ll text you when I’m leaving here.
I tucked my phone back into my purse and looked up to see Lola watching me.
“It was Phillip. They have a new potential client they want me to try to close,” I said.
It wasn’t a complete lie. I did have an appointment tomorrow with a huge production company at a major network.
They were looking for new representation after a change in ownership.
And Phillip thought I should take the lead on the account and convince them to sign with us.
I’d heard about it this morning, not tonight, but at least it wasn’t a complete lie.
“That’s exciting,” Georgia, Reese, and Lila said at the same time, but Brinkley and Lola shared a look that I didn’t miss.
“It is.” I smiled, but my mind was already wondering when I could get out of here and sneak over to see Cage.
I felt like I was in high school again.
And it was nice to be excited about something. Even if I should be excited about leading the meeting with A.R.C. Network, and not the fact that my ex-boyfriend couldn’t go a few hours without seeing me, it still felt damn good.
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as we spent the next two hours talking about Brinkley’s wedding plans, Lola sharing her ideas for the spa, Georgia telling us about a new author they signed at the publishing company, Lila sharing that she and Hugh were ready to start trying for a baby, and Reese getting excited about the idea of them raising their kids together.
Lola ordered several desserts, and we all shared them and laughed some more until we made our way outside.
We said our goodbyes and hugged one another, and then Lola and I started walking together. Reese was the designated driver, and she took the girls home. She’d offered us a ride, but we both wanted to walk off our dinner. And I wasn’t planning to go home, but I wasn’t about to tell anyone that.
We stopped in front of Lola’s little cottage, and I hugged her goodbye. She’d had a few glasses of wine, and she was getting all sappy.
“I’m happy for you,” she said, squeezing my hands. “And I’m not going to ask any questions about why we passed your house and you kept walking with me. Have fun.”
I didn’t think she was paying attention, but I wasn’t going to deny it.
“Love you. I’ll call you in the morning.”
I waved goodbye and walked two more blocks before turning down Cage’s street. I went to the back door and knocked lightly. It opened so fast it startled me, and he reached for my arm and pulled me inside.
“It’s about time, woman.” Then his mouth was on mine.