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“See you tomorrow, ladybug,” Johanna calls out as we all wave goodbye from the front porch. I hear Waffles and the puppies barking in the back seat as they drive away.
Dinner with the Staffords felt like old times. It was a loud, chaotic, and lively affair. The Stafford siblings still tease each other mercilessly, but the love they share is unmistakable.
Harrison pulled me aside before leaving to return to the city and told me he’d call Cash tomorrow once we’ve discussed how we’ll move forward. He wanted to make sure I knew I could come to him directly if I needed someone to talk to. It means a lot that he didn’t demand Cash and I stay together, but didn’tmiss the subtle warning in his tone that one solution would be far less complicated than the other.
“Well, we better get going,” Cash announces. “It’s getting late and the pilot wants to get a move on if we’re going to leave for London tonight.”
“Don’t be silly.” Johanna waves him off. “It’s late. You and Everly are spending the night. You can fly back tomorrow once you’ve had a good night’s rest.”
I have a sneaking suspicion she has an ulterior motive for suggesting we stay, considering the private jet we took here is the definition of luxurious.
“Thanks for the offer, Mom, but we really need to get back,” Cash tells her.
I’m glad to see him stand his ground—unlike earlier when he couldn’t tell her the truth about our relationship. Not that I’m bitter about it or anything.
“Nonsense,” Johanna pushes back. “You’ve had a long day, and it would be best if you stayed here. Don’t you agree, Mike?”
He glances between his wife and son. “You kids are welcome to spend the night,” he answers diplomatically.
“I don’t think—”
“I insist,” Johanna interrupts. “You’re staying with us, and that’s final.”
Cash lets out a loud sigh as he glances in my direction. “Fine, Mom, you win. We’ll stay.”
This cannot be happening.
My eyes widen. I’m ready to confront him and demand that we leave tonight, but one look at Johanna stops me. She has a warm smile on her face, but there’s a determined glint in her eye. She’s made up her mind.
So, I’m staying at the Staffords’ tonight.
But Cash and I are definitely talking about this once I get him alone.
“Doesn’t this remind you of when you stayed here for the first time?” Presley smirks at Jack.
“It does.” He tugs her close to his side and places a kiss on her temple.
“We fell in love here,” Presley explains when she notices my quizzical expression. “I was living in New York, working as Jack’s assistant. He’s the CEO of Sinclair Group, a large investment firm. After three years of sidestepping our mutual attraction, a disastrous work trip to Aspen Grove ended up with us pretending to date because my family despised my boss.”
I stiffen at her mention of them fake dating. It’s eerily similar to the situation Cash and I are in, except we took it a step too far and got hitched.
“The night we arrived,” she continues, “my mom insisted we stay here in my childhood room with only one bed since we told her we were a couple.”
“Little did we know that Johanna knew all along that we were pretending and that I was Presley’s boss,” Jack chimes in.
Wait, did Presley just say one bed?
I let out a nervous laugh, unsure how else to respond. My mind flashes to memories of Cash’s childhood bedroom, and I panic.
“At least tonight won’t be awkward since you’re married and all.” Presley beams at me.
She has no idea.
“Good night, sweetheart.” Johanna pats Cash on the shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here, Everly.” She gives me a passing kiss on the cheek.
“Me too,” Presley adds. “I’ve always wanted sisters-in-laws, and I’m so happy I now have you and Marlow. Although we’re still waiting for her and Dylan to make it official.”
Guilt washes over me, worried about disappointing her when she finds out the truth.