Chapter 22
VAL
“Speaking of the men in your life,” Frankie said as she wiped the bar in front of me and freshened up my coffee.
“We weren’t.”
“But now we are.”
I scoffed as Frankie called down the bar. “Hugh, can you get another case of vodka from the liquor closet? Gonna need it for that Christmas Eve rush tonight.” She returned her attention to me, eyes bright with mischief. “So how’s it going with juggling your two men?”
My gulp of coffee went down the wrong pipe and I sputtered. Austin. Oh no. I’d been so tied up in knots over Nolan that I’d completely forgotten about letting Austin down easy. It was a conversation I’d been dreading. But leave it to Frankie to give me a swift and bracing reality check.
After a few wheezing breaths, I said, “I already know what you’re going to say, and Austin’s not having a threesome with us, so sorry to burst your salacious bubble. I think he went back home for Christmas, so the next time I see him, I’ll tell him I just want to be friends.”
“Pfft,” Frankie said, pouting as she straightened her Santa hat. “You’re no fun. Have you figured out Nolan’s Christmas surprise yet?”
“I’ve been too busy planning the Christmas farmers market to even think about it. But that man is a lockbox anyway. Can’t pry anything out of him.”
After showing Nolan around town, a newfound confidence had sprouted in a long-vacant part of my heart.
When it came to running a farming cooperative, I knew what I was doing.
I was already doing it, albeit on a really small scale.
And I was freaking good at it. It was time to stop treading lightly and making the careful choice.
As I was learning with Nolan, sometimes throwing out my lists and spreadsheets could reap some handsome rewards.
While the end of my relationship with Nolan was a foregone conclusion, I actually had a shot at obtaining my own farming cooperative. And I owed it to myself to go for it.
“I’m proud of you, you know,” Frankie said, taking her pocketknife to a liquor box and stocking the shelves. “One step closer to your dreams.”
For once, the thought of my future filled me with excitement instead of the crushing weight of undone tasks. “Thanks.”
“Hey, if you want some extra cash, you could work the bar tonight with me and Hugh,” Frankie offered.
It was barely noon on Christmas Eve and the bar was packed to the gills with VIPs and athletes fresh off the slopes—and paparazzi lurking in the lobby. The regional competition was good for business, but very not good for my personal life. I took another sip of coffee, shuddering.
Frankie noticed. “And it would keep your idle hands busy instead of doing the devil’s work with your boss while there are so many interested eyeballs around to see you,” she whispered. When I didn’t respond, her jaw dropped. “Or maybe you’ve already done the dirty deed and haven’t told me?”
“As if I could keep something like that from you,” I said with a snort. “We have to be careful, and…”
“And what?”
I chewed my lip, considering. At Summit’s Edge, Nolan said he’d give me whatever I wanted, but did that mean his heart too? Or was he only interested in sex? Am I only interested in sex?
“And I’m not sure what I want from Nolan. If I even want anything.”
“Besides his dick.”
“Francesca Daiyu Kang.”
“What? It’s true.”
Ignoring my burning cheeks, I said, “I’m way too frazzled to consider taking a step like that. We’ve been keeping things private, but it’s hard to act natural in public.”
“The last time Nolan had something ‘private’ set up, you got snowed in together and he came all over you, so—”
“That’s not—”
“So whatever his Christmas surprise is, make sure you wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.”
When she winked, I wanted to throttle her.
“Hey, you two,” a voice like an easy summer breeze said over my shoulder.
Crap on a freaking cracker.
“Hey, Austin,” I said with a tight smile that I hoped didn’t make me look like a serial killer. “Thought you were away for the holiday?”
“Got back early to avoid that big incoming snowstorm,” he said, nodding in thanks as Frankie poured him a coffee, then she left us alone. Damn her.
I’d successfully dodged Austin’s attempts to go on more intimate dates, but the guy deserved the truth. It wasn’t nice to string him along, and I needed to push through my anxiety and tell him that. “Austin, there’s something I need to talk to you about…”
His face fell for a moment, then took up a knowing smile.
“I sort of have feelings for someone else, even though it’s a little complicated,” I said, “I hope we can stay friends. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t have a ton of those.”
Austin, proof of the amazing and wonderful guy he was, gave me an easy shrug.
“No sweat, Val. I mean it. I know guys will say that and then get all broody about getting ‘friend zoned,’ which is a bullshit term in its entirety. Of course I’m still your friend.
I hope you work through whatever it is you’re going through.
I’m always here to talk about it, if you want. ”
Emotions blurred through me in a confusing mess. Good freaking gracious, what a nice guy. “You don’t know how much that means to me. Thank you.” I hadn’t realized how much this was weighing on me, and it felt great to know he didn’t hold it against me.
“No need. That’s what friends are for. Gotta go check in with Tess. Catch you later.” With a wink, he headed out.
To be replaced immediately by an eavesdropping Frankie. “So that went well.”
Patting my jean jacket lapels, I asked, “Do you have a wire on me or just supersonic bat-like hearing?”
“I do still have my ‘Harriet the Spy’ kit from when I was a kid—”
“Val!”
I spun in my chair, my jaw hitting the floor. “Juanito?”
My little brother barreled across the room and crashed into me with a hug. I caught him, dumbfounded. Diego followed in his wake, a secret smile playing across his face.
“Surprise,” said Diego, wrapping an arm around me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, still catching my breath, tears welling in my eyes. When I distracted myself with work, it was easy to push off the constant ache of how much I missed them. But now, the floodgates were open.
“Mr. Keller invited us for the weekend,” said Diego.
“Yeah, we’re in the Presidential Suite!” Juanito bounced beside me. “And he said I can have as much hot chocolate and s’mores as I want.”
My heart thundered in my chest. “Cyrus or Arthur?” But then I caught sight of Frankie’s grin, and I knew. Of course.
“It was Nolan,” said Diego. My heart beat so fast, I thought it would burst out of my chest.
Frankie smirked as she handed Juanito a cup of hot chocolate. “Here you go, kiddo. On the house.”
“Thank you!” Juanito slurped his cocoa with gusto.
“Want to help me tear apart this box? I’ll let you play with my knife.” Frankie ushered Juanito behind the bar and distracted him so I could talk to Diego.
“Nolan invited you to come here? For free?” I asked.
Diego scratched the dark stubble on his chin.
He looked like he needed a vacation. “Yeah. He said Keller Resorts does a yearly employee raffle for a free weekend at any of the locations.” I frowned.
This was the first I’d ever heard of it.
“He said you won, but he wanted to surprise you because he knew you’d give the weekend away to someone else. ”
My eyes narrowed further. Nolan spun a good story, but I wasn’t buying it. I packed away the details to discuss with him later. Because, oh boy, were we going to discuss it later. While I kissed him senseless and maybe ripped off all his clothes. This man, the things he does for me.
“I’m really happy you’re here,” I said. “I’m sorry it’s been so long. I know I should call more, at least so Juanito doesn’t feel like I abandoned him.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Diego said, snapping his fingers. “Juanito is the recipient of the West Foundation grant for kids like him. It’s enough to cover his meds every month. You can start saving your money again, mana.”
Something warm glowed in my center. It felt scarily close to hope. Hope for the life I had so diligently been working toward for years. “Where’d you find the grant?”
Diego frowned. “The letter said you were the one who applied for it.”
The warm feeling burst into the fire of a thousand suns. Even after my refusal, Nolan had made sure Juanito was taken care of. “Oh. Right. It was a while ago, so I must have forgotten. Hey, why don’t you guys get settled and we’ll meet up in a bit? Gotta take care of a few things.”
“Sure,” said Diego. “See you soon.”
Five minutes later, I pounded on the door to Nolan’s office. I barely waited to hear his “come in” before I barged inside and shut the door. He looked positively smoldering in a charcoal gray suit, his hair perfectly tousled. Pausing with his hand on a folder, he lifted an eyebrow.
“Val—?”
I crossed the room in quick steps, climbing into his lap and fastening my lips to his.
It took him all of two seconds to catch up, his hands going straight to my ass as he kissed me back with fervor.
To his credit, he didn’t ask any questions, just slid his tongue against mine and matched my energy.
Overcome with happiness, my inhibitions and anxiety vanished. We were safe in his office, and I wanted more—just a little bit.
“When’s your next work call?” I asked against his lips.
“Ten minutes. Would skip it, but it’s with the board.”