30
EVERLY
THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN WAKING up next to the man with whom I’ve agreed to spend the rest of my life. Although I admit, I was a little disappointed when Cash said he was going to the gym early and a long run after that and asked me to meet him at the park across from Main Street at nine.
After lying in bed for a while, I went downstairs to find Johanna and Mike had left the house, too. So, I walked to the local yoga studio and arrived in time for their morning session.
I’ve just finished my class and checked my watch to see that I still have an hour before I’m supposed to meet up with Cash. I head over to Brew Haven for some coffee to pass the time.
As I walk down the street, I notice Harrison coming from the opposite direction. His face is set in a stern expression as he types on his phone. He’s dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt that looks to be covered in white and gray paint.
That’s odd.
Cash didn’t mention Harrison’s plans to visit Aspen Grove this weekend, and he wasn’t at the Staffords’ house for lunch yesterday. As far as I know, he doesn’t own property in town. And even if he did, the CEO of a multibillion-dollar real estate firm doesn’t strike me as someone who would do their own painting or any manual labor.
“Hey, Harrison,” I call out as he gets closer.
He glances up, and his expression softens when he notices me waving at him. “Hi, Everly. What are you doing up so early on a Sunday morning?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” I say as he comes to a stop in front of me. “Cash didn’t tell me you’d be in town this weekend.”
He hesitates for a moment before saying, “Uh, yeah, I got here a couple of hours ago.”
“How long are you here for?”
“My flight leaves this afternoon. I had to handle a few urgent matters here before heading to New York for an early meeting tomorrow.”
I nod, refraining from asking about his peculiar appearance.
It is odd that he’s only in town for a few hours, especially since he doesn’t plan to see his family while he’s here, as far as I know. I’m surprised Johanna doesn’t insist he stay, but then again, maybe she doesn’t know he’s here. Regardless, I’m sure he has his reasons.
“Listen, do you have a few minutes?” he asks. “I’d like to talk with you if you don’t mind.” He nods toward Brew Haven.
“Sure, I was going to order a protein shake for Cash and a coffee for myself. He said he was going on a long run, so I have some time to kill until he gets here.”
Harrison holds the door open for me, and we step inside. After placing our order, and picking up our drinks we grab a table near the front.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I ask, tracing my finger around the edge of my coffee cup.
“How’s work going?” he questions. “We might not be able to talk about the specifics of the pending acquisition, but overall, how do you like working at Townstead International?”
“Honestly, aside from the fact that I work for my dad, I love my job. Things have been challenging lately because he’s been more irritable, probably because of the Stafford Holdings deal. He tends to take it out on me and my step-siblings,” I explain as I sip coffee. “He hasn’t been to London since the day he showed up at Cash’s office, but that hasn’t stopped him from inundating us with impossible amounts of work.”
My dad’s emails and phone calls have become more terse in the past week, and we’ve all been waiting for the inevitable fallout.
“How did Liam and August take the news about the acquisition?” Harrison asks.
“They have reservations about it,” I tell him honestly. “For all they know, your team is planning to fire them or will micromanage every project they’re working on like my dad does. But I assured them you weren’t like that.”
“I appreciate your confidence. All I can say for now is that big changes are coming to Townstead International. Positive changes,” he adds, sensing my apprehension.
I give him a quizzical look. “How long until the deal is signed?”
“Off the record, we’re looking at two weeks.” He runs a hand through his hair. “We’ve had to speed up the timeline because of some unforeseen circumstances.”
“I see.” My gut tells me the fast-tracked timeline has something to do with my father.
At the same time, a wave of relief washes over me. The looming deadline has lost its significance. Yesterday, my marriage had an undisclosed expiration date. Now, it signifies the start of a new chapter in my life.
“Everly, I meant it when I said that Dylan and I will support you and Cash no matter what. You’ll have a place at Townstead International as long as you want it. If I thought I could convince you to work at Stafford Holdings, I’d hire you to work directly for me.”
I shake my head. “I would never leave Liam and August. We’re a team, and I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else.”
“That’s what I thought.” He drums his finger on the tabletop as he glances at me, then back down at his coffee.
I’m surprised at how easy it is to confide in Harrison. He comes off as stern and reserved, but beneath that exterior, he’s empathetic and caring.
“You don’t have to worry about Cash and me,” I say.
He raises a brow. “Oh, and why is that?”
“We’ve decided to stay together,” I share with a beaming smile. “We’re not pretending anymore.”
He sighs in relief, and a pleased look spreads across his face. “Thank god it worked.”
I tilt my head. “You were hoping we’d stay together?”
He nods. “I knew you and Cash would be in Vegas at the same time. During a call with our lawyers, your dad mentioned you were there for business.”
“And?” I ask with a curious stare.
“I sent Cash to take my place at the board meeting, hoping he’d run into you. There was no guarantee he would, but I coordinated the time of the meeting based on your agenda that I got from Richard’s assistant to ensure you’d both end your day at the same time and be at the same hotel.”
“Why did you want us to meet up?”
“Because he’s been hung up on you since high school. He’s worn that bracelet for fourteen years, and his face lit up anytime anyone mentioned your name. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass for the two of you to reconnect.”
“Why not suggest a casual meetup in London like old friends?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I had a contingency plan to bring you two together after the acquisition if the Vegas meetup didn’t happen. I never expected you’d end up getting hitched and turn up to Aspen Grove as a married couple. I wasn’t lying about the complications of getting an annulment in the middle of the acquisition, but we would have managed.”
While I process his confession, he takes a drink of his latte before continuing. “My main priority was your and Cash’s happiness. Even when you were bickering, there was an undeniable spark between you two. You just needed a nudge in the right direction.”
“And encouraging us to stay married was considered a nudge ?” I ask with a raised brow.
“In my world, yes.”
I blink at him, stunned by this revelation. Harrison Stafford is the last person I’d have expected to play Cupid. Seems like, deep down, he’s still the teddy bear big brother he was back in high school.
I recline in my chair. “Damn, Harrison, I never would have pegged you for a matchmaker.”
“That title belongs to my mother,” he grumbles.
“Whatever you say.” I hide my knowing smile behind my cup. “You better watch out.”
“For what?”
“Cash told me all about how Johanna has meddled in your siblings’ relationships. Who’s to say she won’t have a hand in yours?”
“Who’s to say she didn’t have a hand in yours? ” he challenges.
I point at him. “You just admitted that you practically orchestrated my run-in with Cash. Besides, she doesn’t know our marriage isn’t real.”
Even though Cash and I have decided to stay together, I’m not looking forward to coming clean to Johanna and Mike that our marriage was fake from the start.
“Nothing gets past my mom. Ever .” Harrison rolls his coffee cup between his palms. “Just because I was involved, doesn’t mean she didn’t play a role in it.”
I think back to Johanna’s comment about not leaving things up to chance. There’s no way she was talking about Cash and me. Is there?
I shake my head. “Regardless, you’re next.” I can’t help but taunt him.
He smirks, folding his arms across his chest. “If she can find someone who can tolerate a man who spends twenty hours a day running a multibillion-dollar company and is hardly ever home, I give her props.”
“Well, if we can’t find you a wife, maybe we can find you a new personal chef. Cash mentioned that yours is quitting. I spoke to Fallon the other day, the private chef who’s been cooking our meals, and she said she’s interested in applying for the position. She’s moving to New York, but I think she could be persuaded to travel between there and your penthouse at Stafford Holdings headquarters.”
“Thanks.” Harrison nods in appreciation. “Have Cash send her information to my assistant, and she’ll set up a phone interview.”
“Will do.”
We spend the next hour talking about life growing up in a small town, and by the time I remember to check my phone I see that it’s 9:05 a.m. “Oh, shoot, I’m late to meet Cash.”
“No problem. I’ve got to get going anyway.” Harrison stands and takes our empty drink containers to the trash.
On our way out we stop by the pickup station to grab Cash’s protein shake that I had them wait to make.
When we step outside of Brew Haven, Main Street is bustling with residents enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning.
I spot Cash stretching at the park across the street, sweat dripping down his forehead. He’s got on a baseball cap, black shorts, and running shoes, and predictably he’s shirtless.
Harrison rolls his eyes. “He’s such a show-off. In this town, going shirtless is bound to get people talking.”
“Well then, I better go over there and give them something worthwhile to talk about,” I say with a wink. “Did you want to come over and say hi to him?”
“Nah, there’s one more errand I have to run before I take off.”
“Okay, thanks for the chat, Harrison.”
“Anytime, Everly. I’m really glad you’re my sister-my-law.”
“Me too.”
He gives me a small wave before pulling out his phone and walking away, his expression turning serious again as he disappears around the corner.
I cross the street to join Cash, and he looks up as I approach, a megawatt smile on his face. He stands up straight and closes the gap between us, winding his arm around my waist and cradling my head with his hand.
“I missed you.” He grabs my jaw, pressing his mouth to mine in an obscene kiss.
“Mmm,” I moan softly. “You remember we’re in a public place, right?” I glance around at several onlookers giving us the side-eye.
“They’re going to gossip either way.”
“I like your way of thinking, Stafford.” I rise on my toes to give him another kiss. We’re in our own private bubble, two souls ignited by a mutual love for one another, the outside world forgotten.
When Cash finally breaks away, I’m left breathless.
“What do you have there?” He motions to the drink in my hand. Thankfully, I didn’t drop it during our impromptu make-out session.
“It’s for you.” I hand him the green protein shake.
“Thanks, Ev.” He grins and ushers me over to a nearby park bench. “I saw you in front of the coffee shop with Harrison, but didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Did you know he was in town?”
He taps his fingers against his cup, avoiding my gaze.
“I know we said no more secrets, and I’ll tell you this one. Tomorrow.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Is this a trick?”
He shakes his head. “No tricks.” He leans in to kiss my temple. “It’s part of your surprise. You’ll see soon enough, I promise.”
“I can’t wait.”
I’m looking forward to whatever it may be.