“And you’re part of our group, Evie,” Maisie assured her. “I know Harlow is so bummed that she’s not here because she’s dying to meet you!”
“I was really hoping to meet her too. But I was thrilled to finally meet Lexi in person. We’ve been texting a lot ever since Milo’s hiking accident, and I felt like I already knew her before I even got here.”
“Lexi’s awesome and her little baby bump isn’t so little anymore. We’re all so excited about her pregnancy, and that baby will be here before we know it. It feels like it’s happening so fast.”
“I don’t think Lexi feels that way,” Evie joked. “I know last night she was having a hard time getting up out of the Adirondack chair and looked ready to be done.”
“That was Connor’s fault for letting her sit in it. She had trouble the last time too, and he promised to get her a more comfortable chair and then never did.”
“To be fair, I think I heard him mention how they hadn’t planned on doing the firepit thing again anytime soon.”
“We all used to do it, and it was such a great way to end the day, you know? It was our time to unwind, especially when the resort was getting ready to open. We’d all have dinner together, but there was something about the time sitting around the fire where we felt like we could all really relax.”
“I know I was relaxed when I went back to my cabin. Plus…you know…chocolate.”
“Exactly. You’ll have to try the chocolate mousse. It’s to die for. Trust me.”
“Ooh…I will. Maybe we can have that tonight?” she asked hopefully.
“I will definitely add it to the menu. Good call.”
“Part of me wants to ask if I should bring anything, but that’s kind of silly,” Evie said with a laugh. “I mean…it’s not like I’m at home or anything. Plus, everything’s already here.”
“I know. It’s easy to get spoiled. We have the suite and a full kitchen, and we cook for ourselves occasionally, but most nights we’re fairly content ordering room service or getting takeout.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I work late a lot with Milo, and he typically orders in for us, but now that he’s going to be here and I’ll be back in Seattle…” She sighed. Going home had somehow lost some of its appeal.
“There’s going to be a period of adjustment, I’m sure. The time difference alone is going to be difficult to deal with. He’s not expecting you to work on East Coast hours, is he?”
“He mentioned it, but I told him we’d have to test that out. Realistically, I still should be in the office at eight with everyone else, but there’s no way I’m going to put in twelve-hour days. No matter how much of a bonus or raise he wants to offer.”
“Has he?” Maisie asked.
Evie felt a little awkward talking about it to someone she barely knew, but considering Maisie was becoming a friend, she figured it was okay. “He has, but…I already work a lot and don’t have much of a social life. Do I really want to lose what little I have because I’m so tired from working?”
“Ugh…that would be a hard pass for me. I understand why he would ask, but it’s really not fair to you.”
“Then he asked if I’d consider moving here part time.”
“Really? That would be amazing!”
Actually, she hadn’t told anyone about that part yet. In theory, it would be very convenient for her job, but with the way things were going with her and Slater, she didn’t want him to get the impression that she was trying to stay close to him. Even though she knew he was going to move on sooner rather than later, she didn’t want to look needy. She’s already accepted them seeing each other maybe once or twice a year, but if she moved here, it might happen more. He might not be living and working here, but he was still one of the owners.
“So, what do you think?” Maisie asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s a lot to think about. I’d really have to see how things go once I’m back in Seattle.”
“That makes sense.” She smiled. “So, um…can I ask you something personal?”
“Sure.”
Leaning forward a bit, Maisie glanced around as if making sure no one was around. “Is there anything going on between you and Slater?”
“What?!” She nearly choked on her own saliva, coughing wildly for a few seconds. “Why…why would you even ask that?”
“Just a feeling I got. The two of you were exchanging some pretty heated glances over the fire last night, and Axel and I just thought…”
“Oh, God…Axel thinks it too?” she groaned as she lowered her head to the desk and silently prayed a hole would open up in the floor and swallow her.
