Page 119 of Before and After

“Me too.”

I glanced at my watch. “I need to leave for Ollie’s school thing soon. I’m just waiting for Allie so we can drive over.”

My friend’s grin widened. “Caden Castro, family man.”

“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.”

A contemplative look crossed his rugged face. “Maybe I will.”

Gunnar had moved into a suite in the hotel, and was acquainting himself with Windward. I knew that had included visiting Tessa’s aunt’s shop in town several times.

It appeared he was waging a full-on, romantic assault on the beautiful widow.

Enzo popped his head through the door. “Caden, I have a message from Allie. She’s been held up. A plumbing leak’s ruined a room on level five and the hotel’s fully booked. Her team needs to get it cleaned before the next guests arrive. She said to tell you to go ahead, and she’ll meet you at the school.”

“Thanks, Enzo.”

The concierge nodded.

“Go,” Gunnar said.

With a wave, I exited the security room. Allie would discover the gift that I’d left for her in her locker. I’m sure she was going to give me an earful about it.

I drove to the school, I navigated the slushy road, and passed by the Windward Police Department building. My thoughts turned to Blake Moreland. The ESG had turned on each other, tripping over themselves to make deals. They’d all do some time, but Moreland would be spending a very long time as a guest of the State.

After I parked at the school, I headed to Ollie’s classroom. As I neared, I heard the hubbub of young, excited voices. In the room, several parents were standing around the walls, along with a few grandparents. I nodded at the teacher, and scanned the kids on the mat. Unsurprisingly, they were all having trouble sitting still. Ollie spotted me, and bounced and waved.

“All right, let’s get started,” the young teacher said. “Lucy, you can start.”

A tiny girl with dark hair walked over to a couple who were clearly her parents. She introduced them, then started talking about her sisters, her cat, and their house.

“Made it.” An out-of-breath Allie appeared at my side. I hugged her and she waved to Ollie.

“Work drama sorted?”

“Yes, but I have a bone to pick with my sometimes-bossy hot guy.”

I raised a brow.

“Imagine my surprise when I rushed to get my keys so I could drive here, and I couldn’t find them.” Her gaze narrowed. “Or my SUV.”

“It was a piece of—” I looked at the nearby kids “—crap.”

“It was fine. Then I got an even bigger surprise when I found keys to a shiny, new Jeep in my locker.”

“Mmm.”

“Caden, you can’t buy me new car without talking to me about it.”

“I already did.”

“We’re a couple, a team, we talk about things like this.”

“When it comes to you having a safe vehicle to drive in the winter, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s about your safety, it’s about Ollie’s safety.”

I saw the fight go out of her. I knew she’d do anything for Ollie.

“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll let this slide.” She took my hand and squeezed it. “Thanks for the new car.”