Chapter 22 #2
“What events?” I ask, hoping it isn’t the main one my family does. If she knows Paige, she may know my parents.
“Mostly for Children’s Hospital of Colorado. I don’t think Paige was super involved with the events for the hospital, but I usually saw her in passing.”
“Oh, I believe her husband works for Children’s, or their parent hospital company. So it explains why she was there. She doesn’t really like kids, though, so I’m betting her husband made her go,” I blurt out.
The woman lets out a loud laugh. “I take it you and your sister don’t get along too well?”
“No, not really. We’re very different people,” I answer honestly. “And her husband is a jerk.”
“Oh, thank God,” the woman admits, letting out a long exhale. “I worried I’d put my foot in it. I’m Arianna, by the way.”
“Hi, I’m Audrey.”
“How did you hear about Everlasting?” she asks, as she types something on her computer.
“A friend had great things to say about it. I think her husband used to play hockey with someone who worked here?”
Arianna beams. “That’s my brother, Luca! Our family owns the hotel. Which of his old teammates?”
“Jax Mitchell?”
“Ahh. You’re friends with his amazing wife Becca, then.”
“Sort of. We were introduced by a mutual friend … actually, no longer mutual. We were introduced by someone no longer part of my life because he’s a lying, cheating asshole and I hope his life on the football field is paved with only green LEGOS,” I state, not realizing my voice has risen remarkably quickly.
“Okay,” Arianna says hesitantly. “And you’re here to avoid him?”
I nod sullenly.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. Well, yes. No. Not now. Maybe later. I don’t know?” I say, my tone as confused as me.
Arianna laughs. “I get it. Men are complicated. Give me your number, and we can touch base once you’re settled. I can give you the lay of the land and tell you which places to avoid in town.”
I rattle off my number, surprised at how quickly Arianna has gone from a nobody to a potential friend. “Okay.”
“Check your phone. Did the text go through?” she asks.
“My phone is off. I didn’t want to talk to … anyone,” I admit.
“Right. Well, I’m here until six, so if you need anything, call down.”
“Are you always at the concierge desk?” I inquire.
Arianna smiles. “No. I’m hardly ever up here, but the concierge we’ve had for years needed the day off. I said I’d fill in. I oversee the spa and hot springs, but in all honesty, I’m mostly home with my kids.”
“How many kids?”
“Four.”
“Four!” I shout incredulously. Jesus, I need to work on my volume level.
“The last one was a buy one, get one free sale, so I said fine. What’s one more when you’re already outnumbered anyway?”
“Buy one, get one free?” I stare at her, confused, until it makes sense. “Oh. Twins.”
Arianna giggles. “Yeah. I have three girls, and one boy.”
“Sounds like your house is full.”
“It is,” she answers cheerfully. “Full of toys, noise, and chaos.”
I sigh. “And love, laughter, and family.”
Arianna tilts her head to the side as she studies me. “Oh, girl. We’re definitely having drinks this week. You’ll fit right in with my sisters and sisters-in-law.”
I’m not sure about that. Groups of women tend to avoid me.
Once in my room, I unpack, then sit quietly on the bed. I pull out my phone, hesitantly turning it on. As soon as it connects, I get a handful of texts from Chelsea, a text from an unknown number that I assume is Arianna, but nothing else. But before I can respond to Chelsea, she calls me.
“Hey.”
“Why are you in Eternity Springs?” she demands.
“How did you — I know you track my location, but I literally just turned on my phone.”
“There’s a setting where I can ask for a notification once you’ve moved. I figured you had your phone turned off, but didn’t know why. Your zoo of animals is fine, by the way.”
“Oh. Well, that’s at least good.”
“Now explain why you’re running.”
“Running is a harsh word, Chelsea.”
“Not in this instance. What did he do? I know this has to involve Jamie.”
I sigh, try to control my breathing, and then blurt out the entire story to her. Chelsea is quiet for a moment, before she growls, “I will fucking kill him.”
I can’t help the loud, sputtering laugh that bursts from my lungs. “I don’t think it’s that serious, Chels.”
“I think it is that serious. This is the first man you’ve been interested in in I don’t know how long. He almost systematically got you to lower all your defenses. You’ve planned the entire event, and he’s had you watching his cats. It’s all bullshit, and he deserves to pay.”
“I don’t want revenge. I want to move on with my life, and forget he ever existed.” Heated emotion simmers at the base of my throat, making my eyes water, and my nose run. I hate this. I don’t like showing emotion.
“When are you coming back?” Chelsea asks.
“I reserved a room up here for a week. I don’t intend to stay that long, I don’t think. And I certainly don’t expect you to keep Flash that entire time.”
“Oh, shut it. You know it’s fine. Flash loves me more than you anyway.
Are we closing the clinic, or should I call that weird guy?
” The weird guy, otherwise known as Doctor Noah Pratt, is a travel veterinarian.
He roams around the Front Range of Colorado, filling in where needed.
His personality is well past quirky, but he’s efficient, inexpensive, and almost always available on short notice.
“Call Doctor Pratt, but also go through the appointments this week and reschedule any you think will be upset if they don’t see me.
And can you watch Flash and the pigs? I’ll probably come home earlier than a week.
I just needed to get away from Denver, and away from …
Jamie.” My voice cracks on his name, like even acknowledging his existence hurts my heart.
“Got it. Do me a favor and let me know if you’re coming home early. That way I can be ready,” Chelsea says, her demeanor odd.
“Why?”
“No reason. Uh oh, the pigs are squealing. I guess it’s veggie time. Gotta go! Text me later. Or call me. Whatever. I’ll be here!” Chelsea ends the call, and I’m left wondering what trouble she’ll get into without me there to reel her in.