“Enough already,” I grumbled. “What are you two doing today?”
Nash inclined his head toward the station. “I’m on duty.”
“I’ve got a puppy training class at our place and then two private clients,” Maddie answered. “What about you?”
I slid out my phone, trying to remind myself what was on my docket today. An email from my father glared at me from my inbox.
I want your first assessment report on resort operations by the end of the week.
No,How are you?Or,Love, Dad. Of course not. That wasn’t how Harrison Shaw operated. I couldn’t remember the last time my father had hugged me. I didn’t think he’d even touched me other than to shake my hand at business meetings since Clara died.
“Everything okay?”
Nash’s voice brought me out of my spiral. “Yeah, just a lot going on at the resort. Gala season.”
It wasn’t a lie. I had at least a dozen emails about that, as well.
Nash frowned. “Everything good with the fam?”
I chuckled. “Is it ever?”
“If you need to talk, blow off steam, whatever, you know I’m always here.”
A burn lit in my chest. “I know, man. Thanks.” But I couldn’t get myself to open up to him. Not like I used to. Even though I knew he loved me like a brother, I couldn’t break down the walls I’d built.
“Your mom sent us invitations to the gala,” Maddie said. “It was so thoughtful of her.”
My brows rose at that. It was a good sign, her being invested in something again. “She’s excited you’re back and that we’re all in each other’s lives again.”
A mischievous smile stretched across Maddie’s face. “And that you’re dating Grae…”
“That, too.” Guilt pricked at me. How would she feel when Grae and I broke up? I hoped it would be enough for her to see me back in the dating game. She’d think I was normal for a while. Maybe I could find some woman in New York willing to pose as a girlfriend a couple of years from now, too.
The idea made my stomach sour. Because no one would ever hold a candle to Grae.
12
GRAE
Noel’s chairsqueaked as he leaned back. I could feel his eyes on me, probing. I kept my gaze on the printout of my guest list for my next hike. Each roster gave me ages, health risks, experience, and where they were from. I liked to memorize that before heading out.
Today’s afternoon hike wasn’t a long one, just two miles to a beautiful waterfall and then back to the trailhead. None of the people on the list should have any issues unless they’d lied like my last group.
Noel’s gaze kept boring into me.
“Yes?” I asked without looking up.
“How’s the pipe?”
My brows pulled together for the briefest moment before I remembered yesterday’s cover story. “Oh, it’s fine now. Everything was just a mess.”
Eddie flicked a paperclip at me from his desk. “And how’s lover boy?”
I sent him a withering stare. “I don’t know. How’s your right hand?”
Noel choked on a laugh.
Eddie just grinned. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
