Although he seemed to remember thinking that more than a couple of times before, and here they were. But…Connor and Lexi’s baby was due in a little over two months, and she wasn’t planning on coming back to work at the resort. Connor was opening a restaurant in town. They’d be spending their nights at home as a family.
Walker and Harlow’s resort near West Stockbridge was nearing completion, and they were going to spend the first few months being hands-on with the day-to-day operations. At least, that’s what they’d been saying, but Walker was still doing consulting work for the luxury resort chain he had been working for, and Harlow was making real estate deals practically wherever she went. But basically, they were going to be spending less and less time here.
Taking a sip of his wine, he glanced over at Milo and Nora. Yeah, they were going to be hanging out here through the fall, with Milo going back to Seattle every once in a while, but never for long. And once they were married, it was anyone’s guess if they were going to keep the logistics the same.
“I think we’re going to have to start looking at houses at some point,” Maisie was saying. “The owner’s suite is fine for just us, and I know we can use the second bedroom as a nursery, but eventually, we’re going to need space of our own with a yard.”
“We definitely want to get a dog,” Axel added. “I don’t know about puppy training with a baby, but it would be cool as hell for them to grow up together.”
Slater couldn’t help but smile because that was such a great image—Axel, Maisie, a baby, and a dog in a place of their own. Axel deserved to have all those things.
Do I? he wondered.
Evie reached over and rested her hand on his thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. When he looked over at her, she looked completely relaxed and serene. He draped his arm along the back of her chair, and he swore they could communicate without words.
I wish we were alone at the cabin.
Me too. But it’s nice to be here with everyone.
It would be nicer if time would speed up so we could leave.
Patience. We’ll be there soon enough.
Leaning over, he kissed her cheek before settling in for an evening with his friends. Connor began placing giant casserole dishes on the table, with Walker and Harlow helping.
“I know it’s not overly fancy or creative, but I went old-school Italian tonight,” he announced. “Lasagna, meatballs, sausage, salad, and garlic bread. Buon appetito!”
Slater served Evie and then himself, and it didn’t take long for him to forget about watching the time because things were good right where they were.
They got back to the cabin later than usual, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was exhausted. Between work, packing, rambunctious sex, and then an amazing Italian dinner complete with cookies and gelato for dessert, Evie was ready to fall asleep.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Slater said as he closed the door behind them.
She let out a happy sigh. “This was a good night. No…a great one. The perfect way to end my stay here at the Lakeview Harbor Resort.”
Toeing off her shoes, she kicked them aside and stretched. When she faced Slater, she saw he was still standing by the door, watching her.
“How about a penny for yours?” she teased as she sat down.
He didn’t move right away, but she could tell there was definitely something on his mind. She just couldn’t tell how serious it was.
When he finally stepped toward her, his expression bordered on somber, and she hated that they were going to end the night like that.
“Slater…”
Shaking his head, he sat down beside her. “I hated that you apologized for your feelings earlier,” he said carefully. “But more than that, I’m sorry if I made you feel you had to.”
Relief washed over her. “Is that all?” she asked with a small laugh. “That really didn’t have anything to do with you. That’s kind of what I do no matter who I’m with. I’m not big on public displays of emotion. No one in my family is. Unless it’s joy and happiness. That I can do in abundance and with no apologies. But anything negative, I try to keep to myself.”
Reaching for her hand, he took it in his. “You’re doing it again.”
“I’m not…”
“And that’s wrong, Evie. You’re allowed to have emotions. You’re allowed to have negative thoughts and feelings and express them. I hate seeing you shrink away like you’re not entitled.” Pausing, he let out a soft sigh. “But you know what I hate most of all?”
She shook her head.
“I hate that I’ve been doing the same thing. I don’t…” He paused and took a moment to organize his thought. “I don’t say the things that I’m feeling because they’re things I’ve never felt or said before. And when you started crying earlier, there were plenty of things that I should have said, but I was too much of a coward to say them.”
