Chapter 2 #2
Beside him, she shifted slightly. “That’s probably my fault.
I think I kind of mentioned it to him because I recognized the name.
Anyway, Milo’s got a way of sort of probing into your personal life, but not in a malicious way.
I think he genuinely wants to know what makes us all tick, you know?
He gets the whole people can suck aspect—he’s told me so many stories about the ways he was bullied when he was growing up—but I think as an adult, he really enjoys delving into why we do the things we do. ”
“Yeah, well, he knows why I do what I do in this situation.” Pausing, he shook his head because he knew he sounded way harsher than she deserved. “I value Milo’s opinion. In everything. So when he frowned and had that look of disapproval, it bugged me.”
“I know that look. I got it this week too.”
That was surprising. “Really? Why?”
“Because apparently someone has a big mouth and told him about what happened with Tucker on Friday,” she said with a hint of both sass and snark.
“Oh.”
“Like I wasn’t humiliated enough, you had to tell my boss? What the hell, Slater? I thought we were friends.”
Shit.
“It wasn’t to humiliate you. I swear. I was kind of angling for him to maybe do something to Tucker, that’s all.”
Her head dropped back as she whined his name. “Why would you do that?”
“Because that guy is the worst, Evie, and he deserves something bad to happen to him.”
When she looked at him again, he could tell she was still annoyed. “Milo isn’t going to fire anyone just because they’re a jerk.”
“That’s what he said too, but I had to at least put the idea out there.”
She stared at him hard for several moments before he saw her lips start to twitch. “I kind of hate that I really wish he would have.”
“Me too,” he said, grinning. “But hopefully the universe will take care of him for you. Without Milo getting his hands dirty.”
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to Tucker. Not really.”
He gave her a look that said just how much he didn’t believe her.
“I think I’m more bothered by what he thought of me rather than what he did to me.”
Ah…that’s what she was getting at.
“I know I can sit here and tell you not to let it get to you, but it’s easier said than done. Still, you have to realize how awesome you are. There’s nothing wrong with you. He’s the one with issues.”
“Yeah, well, Tucker and the last six guys I’ve dated disagree.”
Six? Yikes.
“I’m the buddy. The girl that guys don’t mind hanging out with until they find someone they actually want to be with. It’s like I’m some kind of relationship repellent.”
“Or maybe you just haven’t met the right guy.”
This time she was the one looking with disbelief.
“Evie, look around you. Hell, look back at the cabin. Milo and Nora are perfect examples of getting it all wrong until they met and then it was…you know…right. You’re being too hard on yourself, and you shouldn’t be.”
“I just hate people thinking poorly of me.”
Reaching over, he gave her hand a quick, friendly squeeze.
“Well, no one here thinks poorly of you. We all think you’re great.
And I guarantee when we get to the resort and you meet everyone, they’re all going to feel the same way.
Maybe you just need a change of scenery to change your mindset a bit.
Or, at the very least, to just feel better about yourself. ”
“Maybe.”
They sat in companionable silence for several minutes before there was a knock on the cockpit door.
“I guess that means they’re done?” she whispered with a giggle, and Slater couldn’t help but laugh with her.
“God, I hope so!”
Standing, Evie opened the door, and he heard her laughing with Nora, and it made him feel better. Listening to her sounding so down on herself just made him want to turn the plane around so he could go and beat the crap out of Tucker. If Milo had just listened to him…
“We’re going to have something to eat,” Evie said, interrupting his thoughts. “Want me to make you a sandwich?”
Glancing over his shoulder, he nodded. “That would be great. Thanks.”
“Hey, what are friends for, right?”
And as she walked out, the strangest thought popped into his head: Why did it suddenly feel so wrong for Evie to say they were friends?
“Oh my goodness! This is amazing! And you’re all really okay with me staying here for a month?” Evie looked around the rustic cabin and found it to be absolutely charming.
“If you’d prefer a room up at the lodge, I can take care of that for you,” Milo said. “I just thought you might prefer really experiencing the resort this way.”
“Are you kidding? I love this so much more than staying in a hotel room. Although I’m sure the ones up at the lodge are lovely, this is just ridiculously cozy.”
He smiled and visibly relaxed. “I really appreciate you being willing to come here and help me with the new office, Evie. I know it meant taking time away from your life, and I know you have your brother’s wedding coming up, so…”
“Milo, we talked about this. I’m happy to help. I still don’t think you’re going to need me for an entire month, but I’m here to do whatever I can.”
“Thanks. And for what it’s worth, I know what you’re saying. I hope it won’t take an entire month to get things set up and for me to be comfortable, but if we get done sooner, maybe you’ll still hang out and take a mini vacation. You’ve earned it.”
Aww…
“I might just take you up on it,” she told him. “So…what do I need to know about this place? Do I need to go shopping or get anything?”
“The cabin is fully stocked, housekeeping will come in daily if you want, or at least three times a week. Lexi—who you’ll meet at breakfast tomorrow—even purchased some groceries for you.
I told her some things you liked, but if there’s anything you want, you can go into town and…
you know…get it. You can use Nora’s car or mine or even Slater’s.
But you and I can drive to the office together in the mornings, and you can explore the town and shop or do whatever. ”
“The town looked really small when we drove through it. And the nearest city is about…an hour away?”
He nodded. “It is. I know it’s a big difference from living and working in the middle of Seattle, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it.
And the town has really revitalized since the resort reopened.
There are some great little shops and restaurants, but there are also plenty of things to see and do right here. ”
“Oh, Slater’s apparently got a list of things he swears I need to experience,” she said with a small laugh. “I’m not planning on jumping in right away, but I’m looking forward to checking some of them out.”
“Slater’s always on the move,” Milo said absently before shrugging. “Sometimes I wish he’d just find his peace.”
Evie thought about the conversation she and Slater had earlier.
“Does that really bother you? The way he lives?” she asked carefully.
“I worry about him. He’s got his demons, and they keep him from maybe being truly happy.”
“You don’t know that for sure. Maybe he enjoys being on the move. Not everyone’s cut out for settling down and buying the house with the white picket fence,” she reasoned. “We don’t all follow the same path. No matter how much we may want to.”
He studied her for a moment. “Are you still upset about Tucker?”
Ugh…I stepped right into that one.
The thing with her boss was that he had a lot of patience and could wait her out, no matter how long it took. But rather than playing that game, she decided to simply be honest.
“I’m honestly more upset with myself,” she admitted. “I think I knew that something wasn’t…right with our relationship, but I didn’t examine it too closely because I didn’t want to. And now I’m embarrassed and upset because I’m obsessing over the way he thought of me.”
“To be fair, no one enjoys knowing when other people think negatively of us. Whether their thoughts are true is irrelevant. We all want people to like us.”
“I know,” she said miserably. “And to have someone else witness it didn’t feel great either.”
He shrugged. “It was just Slater, and he’s not judging you for it. He wanted me to fire Tucker, though.”
“He told me.”
“Evie, you know I think the world of you…”
She held up her hand to stop him. “You don’t have anything to worry about, okay? You’re far too honorable to do something like that, and I never expected you to step in. It had nothing to do with business. It was personal. I’m just sorry it happened in the office.”
They stood there for a moment, and she just wanted them to change the subject.
“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” It was almost nine at night, and as much as she still had a bunch of energy, she knew it was getting late.
“We’re going to meet everyone up at the lodge for breakfast,” he said.
“Actually, we’re going to meet everyone up at Axel and Maisie’s suite.
It’s got the most room and it’s sort of become tradition since the resort reopened.
So we’ll eat with everyone, and then Nora’s going to take you on a tour of the property while I deal with some resort business.
Then, after lunch, we’ll head over to the new office. ”
“Sounds like a plan! I can’t wait to see it all in the daylight.”
“Yeah, I feel bad that I made us leave Seattle so late in the day. If we had left earlier, you could have seen how amazing the views are.”
“Not to worry. I’m going to be here for a month, so there will be plenty of time for that.”
That seemed to make him relax a bit. “Is there anything you need before I go?”
Glancing around, she shook her head. “I think I have everything I need to get me through the night. I’ll just plan on seeing you in the morning.”
“Perfect. We’re supposed to meet everyone around nine.”
Laughing softly, she said, “Wow! I even get to sleep in a bit!”
“Things will be a little more relaxed while we’re here. At least…that’s what I’m thinking.”
“We’ll just take it one day at a time.” They walked to the door, and she followed him out onto the porch. “Go and have a good night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”