She rolled her eyes. “Spa day!”
37
CADEN
Jalen madehis way across the great room as I went over last-minute details with Erika. The space had come together beautifully. It was a blend of rustic beauty and the elegance our hotels were known for, with a dose of authenticity courtesy of the snapshots of Clara.
“You were right about the place settings,” she said with a smile. “It feels like we’ve brought a touch of the outdoors in but elevated it. And the photographs really make the décor meaningful.”
“Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into this. None of this would’ve come together without you.”
She beamed. “Thank you, Caden. This is the fun part.”
Jalen cleared his throat, and I turned to face him. “How are the girls doing at the spa?”
He grinned. “I like them. I have half a mind to blow off my responsibilities for the day and join them.”
I chuckled. “I should warn you. They have a thing for watchingLittle Womenon repeat, and they’ll do bodily harm if you interrupt Beth’s death scene.”
Jalen let out an exaggerated gasp, his hand flying to his chest. “I would never. That’s sacrilege.”
“Then you guys will get along just fine.” My hand dipped into my pocket, fingers touching the charm that had become my talisman. “There haven’t been any issues?”
He shook his head. “The two police officers have been joining in on the fun—one waiting outside Grae’s treatment room and the other in the spa lobby. I’ve got the ladies set up in a suite upstairs where they can get ready. I’ll send up food and drinks once they’re done at the spa. And the items you requested will be waiting.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you for everything.”
A beaming smile spread across Jalen’s face. “I know you didn’t ask, but I love her for you.”
That burning sensation was back in my chest, but it held a pleasure I couldn’t deny. “I’m damned lucky.”
“That you are.” Jalen shifted on his feet, uneasiness entering his expression.
My stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”
“For you? Nothing.”
“For someone else?” I surmised.
Jalen pressed his lips together and nodded. “You know how I mentioned I’d cultivated a few different sources around the hotel?”
“Your network has always been vast.”
He flicked imaginary locks over his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Jalen…”
He nodded quickly. “Your brother’s morning event was a disaster.”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
Gabe had overseen a welcome brunch for our VIP gala guests. It was a time for them to hobnob before the main event and ease into the festivities.
“I heard from one of the waitresses working the brunch that he got the numbers completely wrong. There wasn’t enough food, and they had to pull booze from the restaurant upstairs. Gabe was late and looked completely hungover. People were not happy.”
My gut churned. What the hell was going on with my brother? He’d overindulged occasionally in the past but never like this. It was as if he were unraveling before my eyes, and I didn’t have the first clue why.
“Does my father know?” Even calling him that felt wrong. Harrison Shaw hadn’t done anythingfatherlyin more years than I could count.
