Page 68 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“No?” He arches a brow. “He isn’t pushing you out because it looks bad to share your bed?”

I chew my lip, which Lennon takes as an answer. “Thought so,” he mutters.

“He’s not pushing me out.” I rush to correct him. “But dating an employee does look bad for him.”

“So, you’re the one who pays the price.” He crosses his arms and leans back in his chair.

“By choice,” I insist. “Carter’s dad told him to choose between me and running the resort, but he refused. I won’t let him give up his dream and the only way to ensure that doesn’t happen is for me to go.”

“Typical entitled prick, thinking his career should come first. Why should you sacrifice your goals for his?”

“He’s not asking me to do this. My goals benefit only me while his benefit the whole town. Of course, I’ll sacrifice them if it means he can bring security to everyone else.”

“You really believe that?” His indiscreet snort tells me he doesn’t.

“I know that. I’ve seen the plans. He spent the first year here researching the best way to expand and increase revenue without altering the character of the valley. If he doesn’t succeed the resort will go back on the market and the only buyers will be big conglomerates whose primary focus is the bottom line. No one wants that, so yeah, I’ll give up the spa job for the good of the town. It’s not like I wanted to stay there permanently, anyway.”

Lennon taps a finger on his forearm as he considers my words. “I hear you,” he admits, “but I still don’t like it. Carter put you in this position, he should do something to prevent you from having to play martyr.”

“He offered. I declined.”

“What?” His eyes grow wide. “Details.”

“Carter offered to set me up with the ski team.” I knead the back of my neck to release some of the gathering tension. “I told him not to.”

“Why?” Lennon sets his arms on the desk and leans forward. “That’s your dream job.”

“I don’t want handouts or special favors.”

“Not even when you’re being displaced through no fault of your own?”

“It is my fault, at least partially.” I blink to stave off the tears I feel building in my eyes.Dammit, I thought I could get through this without the waterworks.“And I want to earn my dream job, not have it handed to me because of risks I knowingly took.”

“I can respect that,” Lennon says softly. “I just hate that he’s letting you pay theprice.”

“He isn’t though.” I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my lip when I think of how adamant he was about fighting our situation. “He wants to plead our case to the board and convince them that our relationship won’t interfere, even though it could cost him the resort if they disagree.”

“So, you’re taking matters into your own hands.” Lennon leans back in his chair with a heavy sigh, eyes grave with concern. “Are you leaving the spa, or him?”

My partial smile fades as a jolt of pain spears my chest. “I figure if I’m not in the picture at all there’s no reason for the board to question his ability to run the resort.”

“Shit.” Lennon hands me a box of tissues as a few stray tears run down my face. “It goes against my nature to believe people who say they’re going to take care of you—in my experience that’s just a line—but in this instance, I think that’s exactly what Carter intends to do. I get leaving the spa, but leavinghim? Someone you obviously have feelings for?”

“If I stay with him, he’ll fight for me before he tries to save the resort, and that puts the whole town at risk.”

“That’s a little dramatic,” Lennon snorts.

“Is it? More than half the town works for the mountain in some capacity. The only reason Ally has a boutique is because of the tourists who come through here. Maddox’s job only exists because of Carter’s long-term plans for the resort. Even Murphy’s can’t survive on locals alone. Everyone I know and love could suffer if the resort doesn’t thrive. I can’t have that on my conscience.” I wipe my nose before it can drip. “So, do you have an opening for a server?”

“No.”

“No?” I gasp, too stunned to form any other words.

“Serving isn’t your dream job, and I won’t let you settle for it.” Lennon’s chair tips over as he abruptly stands. “The ski team can’t be the only option for a physical therapist, let’s come up with some others. What about a hospital?”

“Uh, okay. Yeah,” I stutter. “There’s one the next town over. It’s a long commute, but I suppose it’s doable.”

“Alright, good. Give me another option. Opening your own practice?” He paces back and forth.

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