Advice from a Jilted Bride

by Rayne, Piper

  “No, but according to the doctor,” Brooklyn eyes Colton, “we’re not to walk him on the leash until he’s comfortable.”

  “Not a doctor.”

  Juno puts her hand on his shoulder. “You will be in a few years.” Then she eyes Brooklyn. “I was going to say you’re not going to treat him like a baby.”

  “We should get going.” Colton pets the puppy. “Cute guy.”

  “Bye guys.” Juno waves, still not giving me a fleeting look.

  “What’s up with your sister? She seems…”

  Brooklyn waves me off. “It’s her problem.” She starts walking, so I follow, stuffing the leash inside my pocket.

  “What?”

  “She just thinks you could be using me.” She shrugs.

  “I’m not.”

  “I know.”

  I love the fact Brooklyn’s so willing to defend me, but I hate the fact her sister thinks the worst of me. “I’ll talk to her.”

  “Don’t bother. She’ll get over it.”

  We walk in silence and when Brooklyn’s arms get tired, I take the puppy. As we pass by the shops, other Lake Starlight residents smile and say hello to both of us.

  “Things are getting serious, I see. You adopted a dog together?” Jack, Austin’s best friend, says as we pass his hardware store.

  “Hey, guys. What a cutie?” Holly’s mom, Karen, stops us outside Lard Have Mercy as she puts up a flyer for bingo night at the VFW hall outside the window. “Holly wanted me to take one, but I told her I just can’t right now, so I’m happy you both took one.” She pets his head and smiles, heading back inside.

  As we walk around the town, it dawns on me how many of these people I know and who know me now. I don’t even think the barista at the corner coffee shop in New York would recognize me. Hell, the security person at the Whitmore Hotels building made me show two forms of ID when I left my badge at my condo and I pass that guy every day. I gave him tickets to Hamilton for Christmas. Do you know how hard those things are to get?

  We sit down on the bench by the lake and set the furry guy between us.

  “He’s really calm. Like scary calm,” Brooklyn says.

  “He’s probably just trying to absorb everything.”

  “What do you think of Gizmo like from that old movie The Gremlins?”

  “I’ve never seen the movie.”

  Her mouth hangs open. “No way. My dad made us watch it every Christmas. After Christmas morning though. My mom said that it was too scary to watch before a man in a red suit was sneaking into your house and leaving presents. But it was a tradition for those of us old enough to watch it.” She sighs. “Kingston and the twins never got to experience it with our parents because the rule was you had to be eleven. Austin kept the tradition alive for them, but it wasn’t the same. Anyway, I begged my parents for a Gizmo,” She picks up the puppy and changes her voice into baby talk. “And you look just like Gizmo.”

  “Done then.”

  “No arguments?”

  How can I argue? He’s hers.

  She kisses me and lays her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”

  We stare out at the lake with the mountains in the background and I’m amazed how beautiful this place is and how much I’m enjoying my time here.

  Just as the chill is starting to set in and I’m about to suggest that we head back to the car my phone buzzes in my pocket. Brooklyn sits up and I dig my phone out.

  “My dad,” I mumble before sliding my thumb across. “Hey, Dad.”

  “We’re leaving New York in the morning and your mother and I will be arriving first thing. We want a suite and you better have everything I need by then. I know you’ve been dragging your feet but it’s drawing to a close now. And I told you to strip the word ‘hey’ from your vocabulary.”

  I look over to Brooklyn, not about to make her upset by fighting with my father.

  “Fine. I’ll make the arrangements.”

  “Good.”

  “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I hang up my phone and stuff it in my pocket. “My parents are coming.”

  Forty-Six

  Brooklyn

  And here we go again.

  Wyatt dropped me and Gizmo off after the call with his dad last night. Said he had to go to Glacier Point to finish up some paperwork and make sure there’s a suite available. Neither one of us wanted to leave Gizmo alone since he just got here, so I stayed behind.

  I swear every time something comes up with his dad it puts him in a tailspin, and he doesn’t resemble the man I love to spend every minute of my free time with.

  I’m not looking forward to going into work today and saying hello to his dad in my housekeeping uniform. I can already picture the look of disgust on Mr. Whitmore’s face.

  I round the revolving doors and enter through the lobby.

  “Good morning, Brooklyn,” Mac says, flagging me down to come over to his concierge station. “Wyatt’s dad is here.”

  “I know.”

  He face-palms himself. “Of course, you do. Hey, congrats on the dog, big steps.”

  “Thanks.” As I walk away, I glance back wondering how he knows. Surely Wyatt’s been too busy to say anything that doesn’t revolve around his father coming.

  “Buzz Wheel,” Mac says. “Someone snapped a picture of you two on Main Street.”

  I nod. Of course. What used to be a nightly ritual has slowly fallen off. I suppose being left at the altar might have that effect, but I need to get back to reading it because I want to know what they’re saying about Wyatt and me.

  “Brooklyn!” I stare up at the elaborate staircase that winds its way down into the center of the lobby. There stands Eva Whitmore. She waves frantically and puts up her finger. “Stay right there.”

  “Whoa, the mother,” Mac says.

  Eva walks down the stairs and she’s dressed in a lovely navy pantsuit with heels. Her hair is styled to perfection in a sleek bob that ends right at her shoulders. “How are you, sweetie?”

  She wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I’m good.”

  I stare at Mac over her shoulder as he watches with wonderment.

  “Hi, Mrs. Whitmore.”

  She breaks apart and smiles. “Eva.”

  “Okay.”

  “Say it.”

  This can’t be happening right now. “Eva.”

  Her smile widens. “Great.” She claps her hands and leans in. “I told Wyatt I wanted you to have the day off so you could take me around this cute little town of yours. We drove down Main Street and it’s adorable. If it was snowing, it’d be like being inside a snow globe.” Her excitement escalates the more she talks. “But you know Wyatt, he said you’d never go for that.”

  “He’s right. Everyone is relying on me, but I’m off tomorrow.”

  “Perfect.” She smiles. “And I saw a little bottle of lavender oil next to my bed. That’s yours?”

  I shrug. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why? I’m going to use it when I take a nap later. I can’t wait.”

  “I know, but Mr. Whitmore—”

  “Stop with all the formalities. Abe won’t even notice those things, believe me. While I’m here though, my friend was wondering about what you gave Wyatt that worked so well for his headaches?”

  I smile politely and lean closer to her. “I work here. I can’t call you both Eva and Abe while I’m under this roof.”

  Her hand runs down my arm and back up. “Understandably so.” She looks around for the first time seeing all the eyes on us pretending they’re doing something else while watching our interaction. “How about we have lunch? Wyatt is with Abe the entire day. Feel free to bring another employee if you want.”

  “That’s sweet but…”

  “Please? We can just have it at the restaurant in the hotel here. Our time was cut short at the wedding. I saw your brother is doing well.”

  “You did?”

  “He was on the news, but when I searched up Lake Starligh
t, I found this sweet little blog. Um… I don’t remember the name.”

  You’ve got to be kidding me. “Lake Starlight Buzz Wheel?”

  “Yes.” She points at me like ‘Bingo’ and smiles.

  I close my eyes for a second and inhale a breath to try and achieve a Zen state.

  “It mentioned his rehab and every time I check there, there’s usually at least one mention about someone from your family. I saw your other brother is opening a restaurant. And I loved seeing Wyatt so happy last night when I checked.”

  My heart pounds in my chest. How on Earth did she find that blog?

  “I better go clock in. But how about twelve thirty?” I step away, needing to get to work and not having the time to fight her any longer.

  “Of course, don’t want to get you in trouble with the boss.” She winks and waves as I circle on my boots and beeline it through the ‘Employees Only’ door.

  Once I’m secure in the locker room, I grab my uniform to head to a changing room when I overhear heated conversation on the other side of the wall. I can’t make out any actual words, but Wyatt’s voice is the louder one. I grimace. I guess things aren’t going well with his dad.

  After changing I head up to the housekeeping department, thinking of how uncomfortable it will be for Molly to serve me with Mrs. Whitmore at the table. And do I really want her walking through downtown Lake Starlight where people will tell her my entire life story? No, I do not.

  Reagan’s already pushing her cart out of the department area when I reach the floor.

  “I heard the in-laws are in town,” she says.

  I shake my head. “And guess what? We have a lunch date.”

  “I told you, I’m not into threesomes. Plus, Devon might have a problem if we don’t invite him.”

  Thank you, Reagan.

  “Mrs. Whitmore wants me to have lunch with her and you’re coming along so people don’t judge me and stare.”

  She shakes her head. “Don’t you remember your oath?”

  “Nope.” I slide by her and start filling my own cart. “Oh.” I peek out the door. “Don’t put any of my stuff in the rooms. I don’t want Mr. Whitmore to be upset.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Sure thing.”

  I mentally note to doublecheck because Reagan probably doesn’t give a shit what Mr. Whitmore thinks.

  * * *

  Twelve twenty-five comes and I finish my last room. I have to wait for all the others with late check-outs to leave, so it will be an exhausting afternoon.

  Reagan rolls her cart in and washes her hands. “I’m ready, sweetie. Do you think she’ll like me?”

  “What’s not to like?”

  We laugh and leave the room, walking down the hallway. Right before we step into the elevator, our walkie-talkies go off.

  “Housekeeping to Banquet Room B please,” Neil says over the radio.

  Reagan and I both look at each other. We’re not stupid. It’s the same protocol that took place when we were told the hotel sold.

  “Do you know anything?” she asks.

  “No.” I chew on the inside of my cheek.

  The elevator stops on the main level and other departments are filing into Banquet Room B, leaving what I’m guessing is a skeleton crew.

  “I’ll be right there. I just want to tell Mrs. Whitmore we can’t make it.”

  “I’ll save you a seat.” She clings on to my hand giving it one big squeeze.

  Dread weighs me down as I make my way to the restaurant.

  Mrs. Whitmore is chatting with Devon, with a row of six wine glasses in front of her.

  “That’s the Pinot.” Devon points smiling over to me.

  I hurriedly weave through the tables. “Mrs. Whitmore, I have to be in a meeting that just got called so I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to join you.”

  Her smile falters. “Oh, okay. No worries. I’m trying the wine selection.” She giggles. “Dinner tonight though,” she points her finger at me.

  “Definitely.”

  I hear Devon’s phone go off. He scrambles to discreetly silence it.

  “Don’t worry about me. I won’t tell the boss.” Eva laughs.

  Devon reads the text and shoots me a non-verbal warning like ‘go.’

  “Okay, gotta go. See you tonight.” I holler through the empty restaurant waving my hand.

  I jog to the room and slide through the door. Wyatt’s up front and he eyes me coming in late. As quietly as I can, I find Reagan and whisper excuse me to everyone until I’m seated beside her.

  “Okay, let’s get this started. We’re going to talk to everyone in two rounds so once you leave this room, you’ll be heading back to work and those that are there will report here.” He glances to his dad who nods. “First, I’d like to introduce the owner of Whitmore Hotels, my father, Abe Whitmore.”

  His dad stands up, but his eyes meet mine first, a smug look on his face.

  Wyatt steps away from the microphone leaving room for his dad. The few inches Wyatt has over his father is more obvious when they’re that close. But other than that, they share many of the same facial features.

  “Hello, everyone. We’ll make this fast since we have a hotel to manage. As you all are aware, I sent Wyatt here to get the full scope of how the hotel operates. We’ve dissected everything from numbers to employee attendance, to the systems in place and projected revenue. Unfortunately, it’s just not feasible to get this hotel back in the black without major renovations that I’m not confident will turn it around. Wyatt has convinced me that closing in a week would put many of you in a bad situation, so we’ve settled on a month.”

  Grumbles and whispers spread like wildfire through the room.

  “Did you know?” Reagan asks me.

  I shake my head, my eyes on Wyatt—the man who has yet to look up at me. He’s not meeting anyone’s gaze. Did he know this entire time that the plan was to close Glacier Point?

  Abe holds up his hands. “There is some good news.”

  The room quiets down, waiting to hear the silver lining.

  “Whitmore Hotels has purchased the resort in Sunrise Bay and will be opening that one under the name Koko Kayuh Resort and Spa. With the expansion, we’ll need a bigger staff, so in two weeks interviews will be held up there.” He steps back from the podium. No one asks questions or responds to the news. The resort in Sunrise Bay has always been our biggest competition, but Lake Starlight is a far better town.

  “Wyatt do you have anything to add?” his dad asks him over his shoulder.

  Wyatt stands, still not making eye contact. He approaches the microphone and my heart aches for him if he really didn’t have any idea. “That’s it. We would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone while changing shifts. We hope you all come out in two weeks for the interviews. Thank you.”

  He steps back, his dad whispering in his ear.

  “Did you know, Brooklyn?” Lyle from the kitchen staff asks.

  “No.” I shake my head.

  “Yeah right. She’s probably got the head housekeeping job at Koko Kayuh Resort and Spa,” Alisha chimes in.

  “Leave her alone. She’s just as surprised as all of us,” Reagan sticks up for me.

  “Let me know how it feels when you’re broke and she’s enjoying spa days at the new place,” someone else says.

  Alisha and Lyle sneer at me and walk out of the room.

  I glance over my shoulder, finding Wyatt concentrating on whatever his dad is saying.

  Leaving quietly with Reagan, I wonder where this leaves us then. Did I just lose a job and a boyfriend all at once?

  Forty-Seven

  Wyatt

  After the second meeting, I’m thankful to leave my dad with my mom at the restaurant and seek out Brooklyn.

  She’s on the sixth floor in the penthouses when I find her shifting from one room to the other.

  “Hey.” I come up behind her and kiss her neck.

  The one thing about her working in housekeeping is that her hai
r is always up in a ponytail, her bare neck teasing me.

  She pushes the cart and slides away from me.

  “I checked. No one’s around.”

  She stops the cart outside the next room and opens up the door, ignoring me. I figured she wouldn’t be happy but she’s yet to hear the good news and I can’t wait to see how happy she’ll be when I tell her.

  I follow her in, and she heads to the bathroom.

  “Did you know?” she asks, picking up the dirty towels.

  “You mean before this morning?”

  “Yeah.”

  “No. I knew my dad would think my suggestions to bring Glacier Point back weren’t enough, but I thought he’d give it some more time. I thought it’d enable me to be here longer which was a win-win for both of us.”

  She cocks her eyebrow at me. I’ve made a point not to talk to Brooklyn about the numbers and finances of Glacier Point. Mr. Clayton tried. He really did. But before Whitmore Hotels stepped in the damage was done and we lost any chance of a quick return to profit.

  “I swear.” I put my hands up in a placating gesture.

  She turns to face the sink. “There’s really no other choice but to close the doors?”

  “My dad doesn’t think so.”

  “What about you?” She swivels back around, scooping up the washcloths. “Do you agree with him?”

  I run a hand through my hair and sit down on the edge of the luxury jacuzzi. “It’s not my call.”

  “If it were?” She whips around again training her vision on me like she wishes she had the capacity to shoot lasers out of her eyes.

  “I think it would take time. I’m not sure how long though. But I have no say in this. My money isn’t in the game.”

  She walks out of the room discarding the dirty towels on the cart and piles shampoo, conditioner, and body wash into her arms.