Page 116 of Before and After

“Two kidsjust spilled two giant cups of soda in the restaurant. Wade, can you take point on that?”

“You betcha, Allie.” The young man grabbed his gear and headed out.

Swiveling, I tapped on my tablet. It was a busy day at the Langston Windward.

Winter season had started and snow was falling. Once we got a good amount of powder, the hotel would be bursting at the seams with skiers and snowboarders. I wrinkled my nose. They’d be tracking slush and mud inside in no time. It was a lot of extra work for my team.

I grinned. But we could handle it.

I didn’t miss New York at all. While I still missed my brother fiercely, I was glad I’d come home to Windward. My life before was now just a faded memory. My life after, a vibrant tapestry of love and happiness.

And now I had an amazing man in my life, my happiness levels were off the charts.

Ollie was blooming with a man in the house. The condo wasn’t really big enough for the three of us, and Caden and I had talked about house hunting in the spring.

Caden was blooming too. He smiled a lot more and he slept more too. He still had nights when he couldn’t sleep. My lips curled. Luckily, I had a few tricks for helping him clear his mind.

“She’s daydreaming again.”

Sierra’s voice made me look up. She, Jazz, and Tessa were grinning at me from the doorway to Tessa’s office.

“I don’t daydream.”

“These days, you daydream all the time,” Tessa said. “We all know you were thinking about your Broody.”

“I thought he’d seem less scary now that he’s in love.” Sierra shook her head. “But he’s just as dark and scowly.”

Not with me he wasn’t. “That’s how I like him.”

I’d gotten him to call his mom and sisters. We’d done a video call last weekend. It would take time, but his family were keen to rebuild their relationships. They loved him, they just hadn’t known how to help him when he’d first come home. His mother hadn’t hidden her joy to hear that he’d fallen in love.

We’d had one disastrous call with my mother. I’d introduced her to Caden, and she’d been surprised but polite. Then she’d started in on me about the clothes I was wearing and my terrible cooking. She’d accused me of not taking good enough care of Ollie.

Caden had snapped. In his coldest, calmest voice, he’d told her that I was an exceptional, loving mother, a hard worker, and the most beautiful woman he’d seen, whatever I was wearing. He also pointed out that I was here, with Ollie every day, while his grandmother and grandfather were conspicuously absent. Thathad shut my mother up fast. I’d been so giddy, that I’d kissed him, then and there.

I didn’t think my mom would call again for a while, and I was okay with that.

“When’s Caden back?” Jazz asked.

“This afternoon.” He’d been gone for two days in Denver doing something at the Langston Denver. At least he hadn’t gone far or for very long. I knew he’d have a trip to the Maldives soon to assess a new Langston acquisition.

Sierra gave a gusty sigh. “You three are in love with your hot guys, getting breakfast in bed and regular orgasms. Meanwhile, I need to order new vibrator. I’ve worn mine out.”

I slipped an arm around her. “The right hot guy for you will turn up.”

Sierra sighed. “It’s lucky we have a busy winter season ahead. I think I’ll be doing lots of skiing, and binging on sugar-packed baked goods.”

My friend had a serious sweet tooth. I had no idea how she managed to stay so trim.

“This one isperfectlyfine,” a sharp female voice snapped, echoing off the walls. “These are the best uniforms on the market.”

The three of us swiveled at Piper’s tart voice.

We watched her and Everett come into view.

Everett was striding down the hall, wearing jeans and a blue flannel shirt. Piper—wearing a snug black skirt and Louboutins with sky-high heels—was trotting after him. She held a khaki work shirt in her hands.

“Murray, you’ll wear this. You’ve turned down all the other options.” She tossed the shirt.