Page 95 of One Last Thing Before You Go

I stare blankly at him as he gets out of the car, jogging over to open my door for me.

“You… What? That’s insane. I mean, it’s beautiful, Knox. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s a waste. We’re going to be at the trade show all weekend.”

As soon as I’m out, he pulls me into his arms, kissing the tip of my nose once, my forehead, and my nose again. He shoots me that trickster grin of his and says, “The trade show only lasts a day. Tomorrow. We’re here for three.”

I freeze, gazing up at him in shock before looking back at the beautiful log cabin waiting for us. “You… You planned this for us?” I breathe.

“Yeah,” he whispers, kissing my neck.

“Where’d you find this place, anyway? Your precious Google?”

“No, actually. I found an old pamphlet for this place in one of my dad’s boxes.”

I miss a breath, hoping he doesn’t notice. He said the word dad again. My heart expands in my chest. Watching this man learn to love his father after his passing has been a privilege— and an emotional roller coaster. I don’t point out his slip, though. Don’t want to make him feel self-conscious.

“I wanted to give us time away from that town,” he continues. “Time away together. It was… getting intense being there. With those women in the park and people finding out we’re sleeping together.” I freeze, bracing myself for whatever it is he’s hesitating to say.

“We’re having a great time—or at least I have been—but we’ve also had to contend with small town life and… other things.” He shrugs. “It is what it is. And though I love the support and enthusiasm we’ve received from people who know about us, they seem heavily invested in it. Which is... charming but also kinda annoying at the same time?” He winces.

I grimace and nod, knowing exactly how he feels. “Yeah the other day…” I shake my head. “I’m sorry about that. With the Mommy Mafia.”

“It’s not like it’s your fault.” He scoffs and shakes his head. “But it was so hard to control myself from saying something. I saw how they made you feel. And I hated it.”

My eyes widen in disbelief because I thought I had managed that situation so well. Mortified, I ask, “Really? I-I mean, yeah, I don’t really like them that much.” A part of me can acknowledge, however, that it may also be that I will never even qualify to be part of their group.

Maybe that’s what’s truly irritating about them.

“I figured. Regardless, I felt like we needed space. Which is why I booked us for the two extra days away.”

I exhale deeply and lean into his chest, pressing my ear to his heart. “Thank you.” I feel myself relax in his arms, breathing in his scent.

Knox’s lips press to the top of my head before he whispers, “Anything. Anything for you. Always. I don’t think you realize the lengths I would go to make you happy.”

His words linger in my head, my heart, as he checks us in, holding my hand throughout the entire process. I watch him talk through scheduled spa treatments and dinner reservations with the B&B manager, in awe with everything he organized. I’m in a trance, so distracted by the realization that I’m falling deeper for this guy I’ll never be able to permanently keep that I barely notice someone calling my name.

“Lottie?” My blood runs cold because I recognize that voice. “Lottie Veracruz.”

I wonder whether I can still make a run for it, or whether I am well and truly fucked. Because standing just a few feet away from me, looking more glamorous than I remember, is none other than my former assistant.

“Madison Shelton.”

Once small and mousy, my favorite former employee stands strong and confident before me, not just looking like she’s ready to take on the world, but like she already has.

“Oh my god. It is you.” She runs up, pulling me into her arms.

“I… Hey.” I quickly assess myself, feeling 100% confident in that I look like utter shit. I’m bloated, just got here after a three-hour road trip, and have probably gained around twenty pounds since the last time I saw her over four years ago. “Wow, you look—I mean, I haven’t seen you in—” “A while,” is the best I can say.

“Right.” Her smile is broad and eager, her hazel eyes bright as she takes me in, and I know right then that she’s managed to stay true to who she is—a nearly impossible feat in the fashion world. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you!”

And damn, did I miss her, too. Something I didn’t even realize until this very second.

Madison was a breath of fresh, naive air, filled with enthusiasm and dreams of a simpler industry; someone unharmed yet by the dangers of not knowing how to “play the game.” It’s for that reason and that reason alone that I let her pull me into another hug. And this time, I return it.

“It’s so good to see you.”

“What are you doing here? Romantic getaway with Finn?” She smiles.

“Uh, no actually. Finn and I… We’re not—I mean, we…” I scratch my forehead and sigh.