Page 62 of Stick Move

She smiles and nods. “Yes.”

“Then I’m sure he will.” I love how much he adores his daughter and is always thinking about her, even when he has to have his head in the game. Is he currently thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about him? I really hope so. I lift my hand and glance at the ring still on my hand. I should probably take it off, or at least put new tape on it—there’s no one here we’re trying to fool. But I like the look of it there.

We walk through the living room, and my gaze goes to the little project Camryn and I began yesterday, after a quick visit to her grandparents’ house to get what I needed. I can’t wait for Noah to get home and see what we’ve done. It’s not my place to do anything in his home, but I think he’s going to like this.

We head outside, and the crowd is different here in September. Fewer families—as the kids are back in school—and more elderly couples, and bus tours. We make our way to the main lodge and it suddenly occurs to me that I haven’t set foot in the place in a while. Noah hired an amazing manager and from what Noah tells me, the place is running smoothly.

Do you miss your job, Brighton?

Honest to God, I thought I’d be a wreck not working every day, but I think I’ve gotten used to this change in lifestyle. Is it possible that my priorities have changed? Not only is it possible, but it’s also true. They have changed, and I like everything about what I’m doing. My only worry is that it will all be taken away from me one day. But from the way Noah is with me, to the way he looks at me and takes me to his bed, I’m pretty confident he feels the exact same way about me as I feel about him.

With an extra little bounce in my step we head to the main sliding doors, I’m about to wave my arms in the air to get them to open for me, but the minute I stand in front of them, they swiftly slide open. I grin. I’m sure it’s because maintenance fixed them. But I like to think that with my new purpose—my love for a man who sees my value—that the sensors also realize that I’m not shallow, or a failure. That’s all silly thinking, of course, but for the first time in a long time I feel secure, like I have a place in this world.

Inside, I wave to the staff at the front counter, and see my replacement in the office behind them. I walk by my father’s office, and nod to the new manager and while I feel a moment of sadness that my father is not in that chair, I’m also grateful for all the things Noah did to keep this place going.

We head to the restaurant, which isn’t too busy and as I guide Camryn to my favorite seat by the window, the kitchen door opens and closes. My gaze lands on none other than my ex as he jokes with one of the servers. My heart jumps at the sight of him, but the hurt that he walked away from me when he thought I had no value isn’t there anymore.

I move quickly, not wanting him to see me. Not that I think he’ll want to have a conversation, but I just want to make sure of it. “How about right here?” I say to Camryn, moving to the far corner by the window.

She slides into her seat and I sit across from her, my fingers a bit shaky as I set my beach bag beside me in the booth. “Are you hungry?” I ask, as I spot the server coming our way, the same one who was chatting with Allan. Staff changes frequently here, the summer students who pick up extra shifts have now gone back to college.

“Hi there,” she greets us with a smile as she places a menu in front of Camryn and me. “I’m Stacey and I’ll be your server today.” I take in Stacey’s uniform and can’t help but think it might have shrunk in the dryer, as her breasts are spilling from the top. She narrows her eyes. “You’re Brighton, right? Your dad used to run this place.”

“Yes,” I answer quietly and open my menu.

She frowns. “Sorry about what happened.”

Jeez, I guess even the new staff know all about my dad’s gambling and how I had to sell. “Thanks.” I turn my focus to Camryn who’s studying the menu even though she can’t read it. “Camryn, do you still want chicken nuggets?”

She nods. “And soda.”

I grin at her, because her father very rarely allows her to have soda. “How about a glass of milk?”

She frowns. “I had milk this morning.”

“Fine, one small soda. That’ll be our little secret.” I’m kidding, of course. I’m not going to keep secrets about Camryn from her father. She chuckles and closes her menu.

“Nice ring,” Stacey says, pointing to my diamond with her pen. “I heard you and Noah Jones have a thing.” She waves her hand in front of her face. “He’s one hot NHL player.”

I glare at her, and if I still ran the place, I’d be talking to her about her inappropriate comments, let alone making them in front of Noah’s daughter.

“I’ll have the nuggets and soda too,” I say firmly, closing my menu and handing it over.

“Back in a jiff.”

I shake my head, and turn my attention to Camryn. “What did she say about daddy?”

I give her a big smile. “Oh, she thinks he’s a good player.” I refocus her attention and ask, “What do you want to do when you grow up, Jellybean?”

She claps her hands together. “I want to take care of puppies.”

I chuckle, as I know how excited she is to get Mabel in a couple of weeks. “Well, you could be a veterinarian, or you could simply be a breeder.”

“I want to have a big farm…” She widens her arms, “…and have all the puppies like Ms. Becky had.”

I don’t correct her and tell her the breeder is actually Betsy. “That’s wonderful.” My mind goes back to the farm where the pups were born and once again melancholy takes hold. I miss my time at my grandparents’ place.

Stacey comes back with our drinks and I politely thank her. “Food will be out in a second.”

---