AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. A small hotel, two stories, done to complement the architecture of the town, two buildings instead of one, and limited rooms. They’ll face each other, have an elegant dining room open to the public, a gift shop, gym and pool, all open to the public with memberships.”
“That’s…incredible. If the locals can take advantage of the place too, they’ll be more likely to welcome it.”
“And it’s not some monstrosity that will block the view. I thought it was pretty good, if I do say so.”
“You’re incredible, Rick,” I whispered in awe of the man.
“Yeah?” His hand went to my knee, but he seemed to remember himself and gave it a squeeze before snatching it away and getting up from the sofa. “I…should get to sleep. Long day of writing up speeches and explanations.”
“Good night,” I bade him, and he stopped to glance over his shoulder at me.
“Good night, Kanan, and thank you, you know, for watching the kids and…everything.”
I went to bed that night thinking of him and letting myself openly fantasize about him. I felt stupid at times, thinking of him that way, but I could no longer help it.
If it only ever was me, thinking of him in the quiet moments to myself, then so be it. He’d so far made me happier than I ever expected to be.
Joel invited me to dinner one Saturday, and I accepted happily. Rick was going on a college tour of Loyola with Chandler, and Colby was going along with his family.
The guesthouse was so quiet, but then again, it always was. It felt quieter, with the family gone. It felt empty. So much for my nagging worry that it was the house and grandeur of the place that I was falling for.
It also wasn’t just the man that was missing. I missed the kids too. Quickly, they’d strung up my heart and held it captive. They were good, sweet kids, all a product of being raised by their amazing dad.
I must have shown my sadness at missing them. Joel saw it the moment I got out of my car. “What’s the long face fer?”
“Long face, huh? I’m just a little blue today. Nothing major. How are you and your guys?”
“Oh, we’re just gettin’ ta where we ain’t complainin’ ‘bout ache an’ pains,” he said with a blushing face.
“Julio and his partners? It’s been two weeks.”
“Them an’ a few others,” Joel corrected nonchalantly. “Good times, but takes a bit o’ time ta heal up proper.”
I laughed and hugged him for the second time. “Missed you, Joel.”
“Missed ya too! I love Damon an’ Burke, like all the way, but they talk ‘bout the same ol’ thin’s. Gets on yer nerves.”
He said all of that in a tiny whisper, then looked around to assure he wasn’t overheard.
“Don’t worry about it, they’re not here and I’d never tell.”
“Oh, I know it. Let’s go see Xen.”
“Xen? You’re silent buddy? He’s here?”
“Yessir, he sure is. Him and a friend o’ his.”
“Let’s go say hello.”
Cutting across the long field, we made it faster than if we’d taken the road and Xen met us outside, waving frantically. Joel let me give Xen a fast hug before he started to talk to his friend. “Xen, you ‘member Kan, right?”
He nodded in an exaggerated way, like Joel was being silly for asking.
“Right, who could forget ‘im? Anyhow, where’s Clover?”
Xen hitched a thumb over his shoulder and then waved us into the house.
“They got the place to theirse’ves. Ever’body vamoosed after the weekend ‘cept him. He was meetin’ up with Clover,” Joel explained as we entered the house.
