Page 24 of A Wilder Wedding

This was my ever after.

But there didn’t seem to be anything happy about it.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Naomi

“Thank you so much for being here. I hope you enjoyed your stay.” I smiled at the older couple as they waved their goodbyes and practically skipped towards the valet.

I let out a soft sigh, that feeling of accomplishment settling in.

Despite the fact that I was ready to give my notice and leave, I loved this job. I loved working with these people, and I loved making people’s days.

I loved working with the Wilders, and figuring out new and innovative ways to make sure people knew that they were welcome here.

And I liked making sure that the Wilder Retreat became and remained a success.

I was a critical part of that, but I was also replaceable.

So after my shift, I would head to Eli’s office and have the meeting I had been postponing for far too long.

I was still a little sore from the attack, and the Wilders and Trace never let me out of their sight these days, since they hadn’t found the man who attacked me, however, I was okay.

Heartbroken and shattered, but resilient.

Which had taken far too long for me to realize I needed to be.

I hated this so much. I wanted to stay. Even though I knew I needed to grow, I wanted to remain. But I had glorious references, and I knew the Wilders would help me no matter what. And I would find a job that wanted me and cared for me just as much as the Wilders.

I held back a snort at that, walking back into the lobby to make sure everybody had what they needed. I wasn’t sure I would ever find something exactly like I had with the Wilders. That would be too difficult. Especially when they had become my family.

It would hurt to leave, but I needed this. For my career, and for my heart.

I was not running away. Maybe if I kept telling myself that, I would believe that, but I was not running away.

Damn it.

“Naomi, you’re here.”

I turned and smiled at Aurora, the woman looking radiant as always.

It might have had something to do with her wedding in two days, or it could have just been the fact that Aurora always looked happy lately. I didn’t think it was only because of Ridge. She had grown so much since she made the decision to move out here. She’d started over and found a new life and a family she adored.

And while our situations were vastly different, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that she had changed. Had moved on.

I knew I needed to do something similar, although our paths were so different it wasn’t even funny. I didn’t want to leave them. I wanted things to work out.

“Are you okay?” Aurora asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Sorry, I’m fine. Just going through my checklist for the day. How are you?”

“I’m great. I wanted to thank you again for the cake help. Ridge is excited about cake.”

I laughed at that, shaking my head. “I can’t wait for the wedding. And the cake.”

“It’s going to be so much fun. And I love that Ridge and I aren’t having anyone stand up for us.” She blushed. “Not that it wouldn’t be amazing to have fifty people on either side of us, but I like that it’s just us making our promises to each other, in front of our family and friends.”

I felt as if my face would crack from how hard I was smiling. Because while I was so happy for her, so enraptured in the fact that she was finally getting her happy ever after, I was jealous.

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