Chapter 7 #3
“She mentioned a place yesterday, but I didn’t really like it.
” She shrugged. “But it’s just a matter of time.
Right now, you and I are in this little bubble, but even if the move doesn’t change anything, the resort opening is certainly going to.
The first three months are going to be a lot of trial and error and an all-hands-on-deck type of situation.
We’re not going to be able to guarantee coordinating lunch breaks. ”
“What’s going on, Lexi?”
“What do you mean?”
“I feel like you’re trying to prepare me for something, and I’m not sure why, but it feels like you’re trying to break up with me.”
Her eyes went wide. “What? That’s totally not what I’m doing. I swear,” she quickly assured him. “I’m just saying that today is just a precursor to what’s coming, and we need to learn to be okay with it.”
“Oh. Okay. It just felt like…”
“I know,” she said softly, caressing his jaw. “I don’t know when we’re going to get any time alone, to be honest, and I hate it.”
He looked ready to say something and then changed his mind.
“What were you going to say?”
“Nothing,” he said gruffly. “I don’t know when we’re going to get time alone either and, like you, I hate it. I don’t even have any suggestions. Between the wedding, the kids, and work, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day.”
“Exactly. Maybe one night next week we can ask Ruth to babysit so we can at least have a night out. And it doesn’t have to be a sexy night, just a time where we’re out alone.”
He kissed her. “I like the sound of that. I’ll talk to her about it when she brings the kids home later.”
Now she pulled back. “Home?” she repeated with a small laugh.
“It is for now.”
“True.” She paused and then remembered she had something to ask him. “What happened with dance classes? Last Annabeth mentioned, you had to go shopping for shoes and leotards. When do classes start?”
Taking a step back, he raked a hand through his hair. “Next week, and I still do. I just don’t know when. I don’t want to ask Ruth to do it, but she’d probably know what to look for. I know nothing about this sort of thing.”
“How about I take her shopping tomorrow after work? You know you’re going to be busy with the wedding stuff and I’m not needed for any of it, so I can take her into town and get her everything she needs.”
“You’d do that? Really?”
“Of course I would. I adore Annabeth, and I’m so excited that she’s going to take dance classes. If I can take one thing off your incredibly long to-do list, then I’m happy to help.”
She was back in his arms and being kissed senseless. When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers. “What did I ever do to deserve you? How did I ever get so lucky to have you back in my life?”
“Connor…”
He silenced her with another kiss, but before they could take it any deeper, they heard voices coming their way.
“Time to get back to work,” he murmured. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
She gave him one more quick kiss. “Yes, you will. I’ll bring Annabeth with us.”
The look of pure, humble appreciation was written all over his face. “Thank you.”
Lexi watched him walk away and felt like a little piece of her heart went with him.
I’ve got it bad…
“Hey, Lex!” Slater called out. “You got time to sit with Nora and show her the program we’re using? I need to head down to the docks. The plane is being delivered today, and they’re flying it in! I’m so freaking excited!”
He jumped up, high fiving the air. He was like a big kid, but he was such a great guy, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
“Have fun!”
He jogged off, and she figured Nora was already in her office, so she made her way back there, putting her focus back on work where it needed to be.
“Okay, now that no one’s around, how are you doing?
Really. I can see that you’re smiling and you look happy, but I want to make sure that’s not just for show,” Kelsey began as they found a quiet spot to talk out by the firepit.
Connor had set up an ice cream bar, so everyone was inside taking advantage of it.
“You’re sweet, and it’s not for show. I’m genuinely happy. So much that it kind of freaks me out.”
“That’s understandable. It’s been a long time since you’ve been in a good place—both mentally and physically.” She paused. “And Connor?”
“I know I said I wanted nothing to do with him, but apparently the heart wants what it wants,” she said with a serene smile.
“Things have been really good. We just don’t get to have any real time alone because of the kids.
” She shook her head. “That sounds terrible, right? Like I’m a terrible mom for complaining? ”
“Lex, you’re not complaining. You’re stating a fact. And I imagine it’s frustrating when you’d like a grown-up night out once in a while.”
“We’re going to try to work on that after the wedding and the opening of the resort.
There’s just so much going on in the next few weeks that it’s just crazy.
But a good kind of crazy.” Reaching over, she playfully smacked Kelsey’s hand.
“Enough about me, how are you? You must be so excited that your wedding is finally here!”
Her friend’s smile said it all—she was totally and blissfully in love.
“I am. I feel like once the weekend is over, we can focus on the rest of our lives. We’ve been fixated on the wedding, even though it’s small, and we hardly talk about anything else.
Well, except for the honeymoon. I’m very excited to get away for a week. ”
“I can’t believe you opted to go on a road trip instead of to an all-inclusive resort,” she mused.
“To be fair, all our stops were the places I was originally thinking of moving to. Jayce thought it would be fun for us to experience them. You know, in case we decide to move.”
“I thought you loved Raleigh! And Jayce’s business is there.”
“Oh, I do, but we’ve talked about it and we just want to satisfy our curiosity. So we’re spending two days in Charleston, two days in Savannah, and then the rest of the time in Orlando.” She grinned. “And I’m planning on sending the kids some goodies from Disney World.”
“You don’t need to do that. It’s your honeymoon. Focus on the two of you.”
“Are you kidding? Jonah is my godson, and he needs some fun theme park mail.”
It was pointless to argue, so she didn’t.
“Did everything go okay with your meeting with the event staff today? We didn’t really get to talk about it over dinner.”
“It went great. Connor’s fantastic at what he does, and it’s kind of mind-blowing how we did all of this long distance while the resort was under construction, and now everything’s coming together. I love the little garden down by the lake, and I already know I want to take pictures there.”
Lexi nodded, loving that she knew what Jayce had planned.
“And the ceremony is going to be…?”
“Weather permitting, it’s going to be down by the gazebo on the north side of the lodge.
Connor has a backup option where we do the ceremony in front of the fireplace in the lobby and then move everyone into the restaurant for the reception.
Obviously, I’ve got my fingers crossed for sunshine, but I’m totally fine if we have to move inside. ”
“You’ve got to be the most relaxed bride I’ve ever seen. Good for you!”
“Thanks. I think it’s because I just know this is what I want. It’s a small, intimate celebration with mostly Jayce’s family, and some of our closest friends. And I get to spend the rest of my life with the greatest guy in the entire world.” She sighed happily.
“Hey, Kelsey? They’re getting ready to put the ice cream away,” Jayce called out from the back stairs. “Why don’t you come in and have some?”
“Because I have a dress I need to look fabulous in!” she replied with a laugh.
“One little bowl of ice cream isn’t going to hurt,” Lexi whispered. “Besides, I think I’d like some too.”
They got to their feet and walked arm-in-arm toward the back stairs. “Or maybe you let Jayce and me hang out with Annabeth and Jonah for a little while so we can see which characters and movies they love while you and Connor sneak out for a little while. What do you think?”
The idea had merit.
“I’ll have to make sure Connor’s okay with it. I don’t know how involved he is with the cleanup tonight, so…”
But when they got up to the kitchen, she saw the full staff there working and knew they could probably get away for thirty minutes with no one missing them.
“Are you sure?” she whispered to Kelsey. “I hate asking you to babysit.”
“You didn’t ask. I volunteered. Now go.” She gave Lexi a playful shove in Connor’s direction.
Laughing, she practically stumbled toward him, but he caught her. “Hey,” he said with a laugh of his own. “You okay?”
“I’m actually more than okay,” she said sweetly, causing him to arch a brow at her. “How would you like to sneak away with me for half an hour?”
His eyes went a little wide. “How…?”
“Kelsey and Jayce are going to keep an eye on the kids for research purposes.”
He glanced in their friends’ direction. “Are they…?”
“No, they’re not pregnant. They want to get the kids stuff from Disney and want to talk to them and see what they like. But Kelsey said we should take advantage of the time. I don’t think we can make it all the way to the cabins and back, but my office…?”
“Slater always interrupts us there,” he murmured, looking around. “But I have an idea.” Taking her hand, they casually made their way across the room, through the kitchen and outer room, and out the door.
“Connor, there’s not enough time to go…”
“We’re not going to the cabins,” he assured her, leading her down the stairs and around toward the back of the lodge.
The path wasn’t very well lit, and when they came to a door, he glanced at her over his shoulder.
“This is an old supply room. We’ve cleaned it up so it’s not quite so dingy and dirty, but it offers a ton of privacy.
” Unlocking the door with his free hand, he opened it and stepped inside, flipping a switch.
It barely lit the space, but that was okay with her.
It felt like when they used to sneak off when they were kids. He led her across the room, pointing out what to avoid and reminding her to keep close. There was an alcove in the back with a couple of mattresses wrapped in plastic.
“Left over from when Walker’s grandparents owned the place. They’re brand new.” He tugged one away from the wall and let it fall on the floor. “I know it’s nothing fancy, but…”
She was way more excited and turned on than she thought she’d be. Reaching for his belt, she tugged him toward her. “The clock is ticking, Connor,” she whispered against his lips. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to take me on the floor?”
His expression heated as his hand fisted in her hair. “I want to take you on the floor, against the wall, on a bed…anywhere I can have you,” he said before claiming her lips in a kiss that bordered on brutal.
They tore at each other’s clothes as they made their way onto the mattress. It was fast and frantic and so damn good. Every time he moved against her, she wanted more. Begged for it.
And he always obliged.
When they rejoined their friends thirty minutes later, no one commented on their disheveled state, but Kelsey gave her a thumbs-up, making her blush.
When she went to join them and her son, she felt more than a little self-conscious. Then Kelsey leaned in and said, “You’re welcome,” before she and Jayce got up and wished everyone a good night.
Tears stung her eyes once again watching her friends. They were so lucky. They got to go up to their room together, sleep together, wake up together. And what did she have? Sneaking away to supply closets for quickies.
Though it was totally worth it.
She just wished things could be a teeny tiny bit different.
Maybe someday…