Uncertain, I padded over, propping my elbows on the countertop. “What’s up?” Her cheeks were rosy but her eyes looked clear. I’d sobered up too during the last Hallmark movie.
“I want to talk to you about Nolan.”
My stomach bottomed out. “Nolan?”I knew she had an agenda about tonight.I’d been lulled into a false sense of security all evening, thinking I’d get through it unscathed. But now it was time to walk the plank.
Cressida must have sensed my dread, because she waved away my concern. “Summit’s Edge was my idea. Nolan didn’t tell me the specifics, but he wasn’t barking orders on the phone when I saw him in his office earlier, so I’d say he had a nice time with you.”
This is so freaking weird.
“And I know he told you about our arrangement,” she continued, “but I don’t know if he told you exactly whywe are in this situation.”
“He said your families would disown you,” I responded carefully, unsure where she was going with this.
“That’s part of it,” Cressida said. “The short of it is, they have something on me that would be damaging if the media got ahold of it. I’m slowly approaching the point where I no longer give a fuck about my parents selling the story to the highest bidder, but if they weren’t threatening me with this arranged marriage, they’d have their claws in Cora instead. And she hasmuchmore damaging things in her past—and present—they could lord over her. Things that could get her on the radar of some very dangerous people.”
In answer to the question that must have been on my face, Cressida shook her head. “Cora doesn’t know about the arrangement, and I’d appreciate it remaining that way. Nolan would never tell you any of this because he respects my privacy, but you’re owed the truth.”
Floored by yet another astounding reveal, I could only formulate a one-word answer. “Why?”
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ve known Nolan most of my life and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.” With a loaded glance, she asked, “Do you understand?”
I blinked. “Are you giving me permission to…date your future husband?” I couldn’t help the snort that escaped me. It was absurd. All of it was absurd.
“I’m saying that if you want to get to know him in whatever way you want to know him, you should feel comfortable doing so. Nolan Keller is a good man—maybe the best man I know. I trusted him with my life, and he saved me. Twice. I owe him everything.Everything.And he deserves happiness too. With you, if that’s what you want.” I searched her face, waiting for her to sayjust kidding, but I saw nothing but earnestness. “Is it?”
“I…” Getting to know Nolan, being free to touch and speak knowing for sure that Cressida was supportive, it sounded nice.Morethan nice. But our relationship would always remain secret to preserve their public image. And no matter what happened between us, Cressida would always be his wife. And I wasn’t sure if that was something I was willing to accept.
The alternative was cutting it off before it ever began, and I wasn’t sure I was willing to accept that either.
“Judging by the deafening silence, I’d say you have some thinking to do,” Cressida said. “If you ever want to talk, I’m always here. I know athing or two about complicated love lives. But I know Frankie is your go-to girl, so you can tell her about this. Nolan is staunchly against an NDA, and I trust you—and her. Goodnight, Val.”
With that, she left me standing alone in the kitchen, spiraling.
I cannot believe I just got permission to do whatever I want with Nolan Keller.
What is my life becoming?
I went to wake up Frankie.
Chapter 21
NOLAN
IleftthehousebeforeVal woke up. Why? Because I was afraid of what I’d do if she walked into the kitchen barefoot, sleepy-eyed, clad in sweatpants with her hair in a messy bun, looking sexy as fuck. Even just thinking of it now, the need for her burned through my veins like liquid fire.
Since getting snowed in together at Summit’s Edge a few nights ago, I’d been holding onto my restraint by a thin thread. Val needed time, and I would give it to her. But my mind had other ideas. The vision of her, brazen and beautiful in that California king, had me laying awake for hours night after night, wondering if she was touching herself and thinking of me down the hall in her own room.
Because I certainly was.
The pinging cash register pulled me back to the present moment and I grabbed my coffee, nodding at the barista, then took a seat at a high-top table in the lodge’s café. An idea popped into my head, and I pondered it for less than two seconds before texting Val.
Cancel your plans for us today. We’re going into town. Meet me at the café in an hour.
A few minutes later, I received a reply.
There’d better be coffee and bagels.
I smirked and pocketed my phone as a woman in her forties with a pile of curly red hair slid into the seat across from me. “Tess Mackey?” I asked.
