Chapter 4 Everett
Everett
“I’m not going outside in this snow, Murray.” Piper set her hands on her hips.
Damn her for filling that skirt out the way she did. Today, it was dark gray and hugged every curve. Her blonde hair was up in a complicated twist.
“If you try to walk outside in those shoes, you’d break your neck.”
Her blue eyes narrowed. They were a beautiful shade of blue that reminded me of the columbines that flowered in the summer. Shame they were currently shooting daggers at me.
“Or you’ll freeze to death.” I grabbed her hand. “I won’t make you go outside. I know a place.”
“Murray—” She tried to pull her hand free, but I held tight.
With a huff, she gave up.
She was tall, and with her heels, she was only a few inches shorter than me. I towed her through the lobby. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this pool project, or working so closely with Piper, but I had to admit, Ro had a good idea.
The glass-enclosed pool would be very popular.
“You like to swim?”
Piper blinked. “Actually, I do.”
Instantly, my brain conjured up an image of her in a bikini. A red one. She’d look spectacular.
Get a grip, Murray. I pulled her into the great room.
I loved this room. The huge, stone fireplace was the centerpiece of the space, and large chandeliers added to the grand vibe. It was a casual lounge, where guests could relax, get a casual meal or drink, and sit and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
I pulled her right up to the windows, and something crossed her face. It looked like a flicker of pleasure.
I grinned. “You like the great room.”
She sniffed. “No.”
“Give it up, big city, I can read you like an open book.”
She pulled a face. “Fine, this room does have a certain charm.”
I smiled. “Did that hurt to admit?”
“A little.” She stared out the window.
It was snowing a lot today. There were lots of guests making the most of the slopes and clearly enjoying it.
“So that’s where the pool will go.” I pointed.
She tilted her head. It was the area where we’d had the Halloween party back in the fall.
“It’ll join the main building over there.” I shifted my finger, studying the edge of the hotel building. “And you’ll get to expand your spa.”
“I am happy about that. I was hoping we could offer more services in the spa, so this would be a huge upside.” She tilted her head. “I have to admit, the glassed in pool, and the snow, will be very Instagrammable.”
I couldn’t imagine who would want to take photographs of a pool rather than actually swim in it and enjoy it.
“I need to take a look at the pool pump system, and the heating system, and the engineering for the glass roof.”
“And I need to pick colors for tiles and paint. Plus, make the adjustments to the spa plans.”
I could see that clever mind of hers whirling.
“So, are we going to do this?”
She straightened. “I’m on board with anything that’s good for Langston Hotels and its guests. And that’s profitable. I’m sure we won’t have to spend too much time together to finalize this.”
“We’ll see.” I couldn’t resist poking her. “Maybe you’ll discover you like me.”
The look she shot me told me that she didn’t find that likely.
“I’m actually a nice guy, you know.”
“If you say so.”
Damn, why did I like that uppity tone so much? Those sharp, annoyed glances of hers shouldn’t turn me on.
My watch beeped. “I’ve got to run, big city. I’m finishing early today.”
She lifted her eyebrow. “You’re finishing early?”
“I have dinner plans.” I winked at her.
A strange look crossed her face. “A date?”
“Something like that. See you tomorrow, partner.”
“Partner?” She called out as I strode out of the great room. “We are not partners, Murray!”
“You want a beer, Ev?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Chris.”
I navigated my best friend’s living room, dodging toys and a baby gym. There were nice smells coming from the kitchen.
“Everett.” Chris’ high school sweetheart and wife, Steph, hurried out of the kitchen to give me a hug.
“Nice to see you, Steph. You’re glowing.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m well aware I have the tired-mother-of-two look going on. Not to mention a little of haven’t-lost-the-baby-weight chic.” Her brown hair was up in an untidy bun on the top of her head and while she’d always been short and curvy, I thought the added pounds looked good on her.
“You’re gorgeous, babe.” Chris kissed the side of her head. “You gave me two beautiful baby girls.”
They smiled at each other.
They were still as besotted with each other as the day they’d met in high school. Steph had been a new student who’d transferred in from Texas. We’d all been fifteen at the time. Chris had taken one look at her and been rendered speechless.
“These are for you, Steph.” I handed over the bunch of flowers I’d brought.
“Thank you.” She beamed at me.
“Evy!” came a high-pitched squeal followed by the running of small feet.
Four-year-old Bess hit my legs and I hoisted her up. I blew a raspberry on her neck. That got me wild, happy giggles.
“Where’s your sister?”
Bess pointed. Baby Hazel was in a baby swing, which looked like something that belonged on the space shuttle.
“Pressie,” Bess lisped as she settled on my hip.
“Elisabeth Ann, you don’t ask for presents,” Steph said.
The little girl stuck her lip out, then looked at me and fluttered her eyelashes.
“Another female under the Everett Murray charm,” Steph groused with a smile.
I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out the tiny wooden carving.
With a happy cry, Bess took the small angel I’d carved for her.
“Bess, what do you say?” her dad prompted.
“Thanks, Evy.”
I jiggled her and breathed in her little girl scent of strawberry shampoo.
“How’s work?” Chris asked.
“Good. Busy since the acquisition.”
“I bet. The Windward is getting fancy.”
“Doesn’t come any fancier than a Langston Hotel.” Bess wriggled to get down and I set her on her feet.
“I can’t believe Tessa snagged herself a billionaire,” Steph said with a dreamy smile.
“Ro’s a good guy. They’re happy.”
“But still, you have a bunch of city executives running around.” Chris waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve seen the one that wears the skirts and the heels.”
“Hey.” Steph slapped her husband’s arm. “No eyeballing sexy city girls.”
“I’m just stating a fact. I don’t want a city girl.” He shuddered.
“That would be Piper Ellis.” I sipped my beer. “The COO of Langston Hotels.”
“Big career woman, then,” Steph said. “That could have been me, if I’d ever wanted to leave the paradise that is Windward.”
“And if you hadn’t fallen in love with the most handsome man in the world,” Chris added.
Steph frowned. “I fell in love with Everett?”
I smiled, and watched Chris snag his wife for a kiss.
Bess appeared again, shoving a mucky looking plushie of a…rabbit at me. Maybe it was a cow? I wasn’t sure. I hauled her up again and she snuggled against my chest.
I couldn’t imagine Piper here. I bet she’d shudder at the idea of kids and mucky toys.
Although, she’d dealt with marble boy in the lobby just fine. I’d been shocked as hell when she’d gotten down on his level to talk to him, hadn’t lost her temper, and helped him picked up his marbles.
Still, I couldn’t see her making a home-cooked meal, snuggling on the couch, or just…being.
No, the woman was always on the move. Always with more work to do.
I wanted this. I looked around Chris’ messy living room. I wanted a woman I loved, kids, a home.
I’d learned that life wasn’t all about work.
I just hadn’t found the right woman yet. But I would.
Piper Ellis was definitely not her.
So why couldn’t I stop thinking about her?