It felt right to be here with him. It didn’t feel like we had just met. To think I thought I’d be planning my wedding to Garrett right now, but instead, I was wrapped up in someone else’s arms. Someone completelybetterin every way imaginable.
Maybe I shouldn’t be falling this fast, but he was making it impossible to catch myself.
ChapterTwenty-Four
“This looks amazing!”I exclaimed in awe, taking in the new lounge.
After two nights at Giles’s house, I decided it was finally time to get back to the lodge and back to work. He had tried to protest, but when I called Bev behind his back and begged her to pick me up, he finally relented and drove me here himself. I was still hobbling around and getting used to the uncomfortable crutches, but at least there was a seat behind the front desk I could use.
When Bev saw the two of us walking in together, Giles hovering next to me to ensure I didn’t slip, she immediately greeted us with an “I knew it.”
“You did not,” Giles insisted.
“I did too.”
“I didn’t even know.”
Bev howled with laughter at that. “Yeah, right.”
He ducked his head before changing the subject. “So, this lounge, huh? It looks pretty good.”
“And Erin came by yesterday to do some work in the kitchen. She’s got a great, easy menu we’ll be able to pull off. Tasty but nothing fancy.” Bev surveyed the lounge with pride. “Also, what name are we going with? I was thinking about having Johnny make a sign for over the door.”
“The Lounge?” Giles suggested.
“What about Marie’s?” I nervously snuck a glance at Giles’s face after suggesting we name the restaurant after his late mother.
Instead of tensing next to me, he threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into him, kissing me lightly on the side of my head. “That’s perfect.”
“It is perfect. Good idea, Mattie. Your mom would have loved this place.” Bev patted Giles on the back.
“Thanksgiving is only two days away. Are we ready to host all of those people?” I asked.
“I think we’ll be able to manage. We got a few local kids that agreed to work here on the weekends when we open for real.”
We continued to discuss the details. I tried my best to remain on task and not distracted, but it was tough when Giles was rubbing my shoulders and forcing me to lean into him. When we were in the bubble of his house, he had been very affectionate with me, but I wasn’t sure how it would translate out here. In his family’s lodge—the whole reason he said starting something between the two of us wasn’t a good idea. Apparently, he had changed his tune because here he was clearly showing anyone that took the time to look that there was something here.
And I couldn’t have been happier about it.
* * *
Hours later,nighttime had descended on the lodge. I was seated on one of the armchairs by the roaring fire. Erin, Johnny, and Giles were surrounding the small table, and we were laughing hysterically over a game of Pictionary that had taken a turn.
“That in no way resembles ‘taking a dog for a walk,’” said Erin through tears.
“What are you talking about?” I insisted. “There’s the leash, and there’s the dog.” I pointed at each with my marker.
“That’ssupposed to be a dog?” Johnny held up the picture and turned it sideways.
“Leave her alone.” Giles smirked. “Games are not Mattie’s strong suit.”
I threw the marker at his head and laughed when it made contact. “Hey, I resent that. Just because you’re perfect at everything doesn’t mean I’m bad.”
“We should probably call it a night,” Johnny said, stretching his arms over his head and yawning.
Involuntarily, I found myself yawning as well. “Agreed. This is the most activity I’ve had since the accident.”
We cleaned up the area we were seated at and said goodnight to Johnny and Erin.
