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ANDI
Being back at the lodge isn’t what I planned. Once I graduate from college, I have big dreams of getting a job at a Hollywood studio and convincing Nolan Archer I’m not a little girl anymore.
The only problem? He’s my dad’s oldest friend. He was there when my mother gave birth to me, and he was there when she attempted to run off and almost got us both killed. As I got older, Nolan was always there. He even offered to kick Tom Sullivan’s ass for cheating on me in my freshman year of high school.
Somewhere between being a little girl and becoming a woman, the lines blurred, and I saw Nolan differently. No longer just my dad’s friend, he’s the man I measure every other man against. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with. The man I fantasize about almost nightly. The man who, unfortunately, still sees me as nothing more than a little girl.
“What has you in such a funk, sweetheart? I thought you would be more excited than this,” my dad says as he throws his large arm over my shoulder before ushering me into the lodge’s restaurant.
“I am excited.” I plaster a forced smile on my face. “Thanks so much for convincing Nolan to give Ivy a shot with this movie. I know she’ll do an amazing job.”
“I didn’t put in a word for just Ivy. Nolan said he needed a few costume designers. It’s only natural that he’d help my little girl out as well. I’m cutting him an amazing deal on this place as it is.”
I squeal in delight and throw my arms around his neck, giving him a squeeze. “Thanks, Pops!”
My dad probably thinks I’m excited about having a job in the film industry, but I’m excited to be spending every day with Nolan.
“Now that’s more like it,” he chuckles as he pulls back from my embrace. “Nolan and the crew won’t be here until tomorrow. Why don’t you have a few drinks and relax before you have to work? I hear Nolan is a real slave driver.”
“Nolan is nothing but a softie.” I roll my eyes as I head toward the bar. “I can handle him without any problems.”
“Just remember, even though he’s your dad’s oldest friend, he’s still your boss. I doubt he’ll go easy on you just because he’s known you since you were in diapers.”
The reminder makes me want to cringe. “Don’t worry about me, Dad. I’ve got this covered.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you do. I don’t know what Nolan is going to do with both you and Ivy around.” With a shake of his head, he turns and heads out of the restaurant.
As I take a seat at the bar, I contemplate how to get Nolan to see me as more than just a little girl.
“What can I get for you, Andi?” my friend Charlie, the restaurant’s bartender, asks.
“The usual. I don’t want anything hard tonight. I have to work in the morning.”
“Work? Does your dad have you serving or something this winter?” Charlie jokes as he pours me a Shirley Temple with extra cherries.
I know it’s cliché, but I love these things. I’ve been drinking them for as long as I can remember. They made me feel a little more grown up, especially when I was surrounded by my father and his friends.
“No. Didn’t he tell you? Nolan Archer is filming his next big movie here for the next couple of months. Ivy and I will be working on it.”
“No shit! That’s amazing! Congratulations, babe!” Charlie gives me a wink before turning to help another guest on the other side of the bar.
I grab a cherry out of my glass and pop it into my mouth as I look around the bar.
“I’ve been coming here for years, and I’ve never seen you. Let me guess. Came for a little adventure?”
I whip my head around and lock eyes with Nolan.
“W-w-what are you doing here?” I stutter, almost dropping the cherry from my mouth.
His deep chuckle vibrates through my entire body. “I’m here to film my upcoming movie. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m not supposed to be here until tomorrow. My friend owns the place. I wanted a night of peace before the wolves descend.”
Dumbfounded, I blink a few times. Does he really not know who the hell I am?
“Must be awful,” I deadpan. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
I give him an exaggerated wink before pulling the end of the cherry stem between my lips. Nolan’s eyes zoom in on it. What a dirty old man!
“You’re wondering if I can tie it with my tongue, aren’t you?”
