My gaze tracked over the crowd as I leaned against the balcony railing and took a sip. “Even the old man can’t be pissed about this one.”
Nash eyed me carefully. “Do you honestly care what he thinks?”
“A part of me always will. He’s my dad, even if he hasn’t acted like it much lately.”
Nash grunted in agreement.
“I’m quitting.”
His brows lifted. “Seriously?”
“Told my mom today. I’ll tell him tomorrow once the dust from the event has settled.”
“What brought that on? You’ve been entrenched in the family business for as long as I can remember. Never even considered working elsewhere.”
“Your sister showed me what family can be,” I admitted.
A smile spread across Nash’s face. “You’re a goner.”
“I think I always have been.”
A little of that smile slipped. “If you quit the company, what are you going to do for work? It’s not like there are a bunch of hotel conglomerates in Cedar Ridge.”
“I’d never make Gigi leave. She loves it here. Her family’s here.”
“But what about you? She’s not the only one who deserves to be happy where she is.”
I’d always loved what I did. All the moving pieces, the constant new challenges, but a job was only one piece of the puzzle of life. And that piece paled in comparison to a life with Grae. “I’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll consult. I’ve thought about going into the vacation rental game. Cabins and lodges on the mountain. Maybe organize retreats out of them, as well.”
“There’s always a market for that if you can find the real estate to buy. It’s getting harder and harder.”
“I have my ways.”
Nash chuckled. “I don’t doubt that.”
I slid my hand into my pocket, feeling for the charm. “I need to tell you something.”
Nash shifted, leaning a hip against the balcony railing. “Okay.”
“I’m going to ask Grae to marry me.”
I waited for shock or maybe even anger, but Nash simply stared at me.
“Was there a question in there?” he asked, taking a sip of his beer.
My lips twitched. “I was expecting some sort of reaction. Want to punch me?”
Nash shook his head and grinned. “You’re one of my closest friends. You’re a good man. And you love my sister like crazy. Why would I be anything but thrilled?”
My chest burned. “Thanks, man.”
He pulled me in for a back-slapping hug. “You’ve always been a part of our family. This will just make it official.”
My throat constricted, and I swallowed to clear it. “Means the world. Gonna talk to your mom and dad. Tell them my plans.”
A devilish grin spread across Nash’s face. “But not ask permission?”
“Nothing on this planet could stop me from asking Grae to be my wife.”
