Page 7 of Wedding Season
Mariella knew that was what love could do to a person, but she and Alex certainly weren’t headed in that direction. “You and Gabe had a falling-out as teenagers. Alex had to leave his life behind because of the scene I made at his wedding. It’s hardly the same thing.”
“It’s a connection, and that’s a start.” Angi clearly wasn’t convinced that Mariella and Alex were akin to oil and water. “I can’t help but wonder if that’s what has you so riled up over him.”
“I’m not riled up.”
Emma made a face. “I hate to be the one to point this out but your eyebrow is twitching.”
Mariella lifted two fingers to the offending brow and willed her face to cooperate. “I’m leaving now because you two annoy the snot out of me.”
Angi grinned. “Can I offer you a tissue?”
“Can I offer you my foot up your—”
“Enough you two.” Emma choked out a laugh. “Mariella, if you don’t want your name mentioned during the spring bridal events, we’ll respect that. I’ll even take your bio off the events page of the website, although I’m proud to have you as a partner.”
Mariella’s snit of temper disappeared. She loved her little retail boutique and had enough in savings from her former career that money wasn’t a driving factor in her job. But working with Emma and Angi at the inn was one of her proudest accomplishments. They’d built it together, and she didn’t want to give it up.
“I think it’s a good idea, but I’m still committed to doing my part. Once Alex gets bored running his little athleisure operation or realizes he misses the big city or his stepfather calls him back to take over the family business, things will get back to normal around here.”
“What if he doesn’t leave?” Angi asked. “And don’t start that nonsense about you being the one to walk away.”
“I won’t for now.” Mariella shrugged and fought the urge to nibble on her fingernails. She’d given up nail-biting as a nervous habit years ago and wouldn’t give any man the satisfaction of making her feel weak and anxious. “I’m just going to lay low and do everything I can to make sure Alex Ralsten and I don’t cross paths.”
ALEXSATAThis desk the following afternoon as Fit Collective employees filed out on the way home or to wherever they were headed at the end of the day.
The company’s new headquarters was situated on the east side of Magnolia. The surrounding area was mostly rural, and Alex had plans to develop a series of walking paths in the forest that bordered the property. He’d worked with a designer to create a space that would promote both productivity and a sense of community.
There were common work spaces for each of the departments as well as comfortable seating and nooks for employees who wanted a relaxed atmosphere.
To be honest, he knew very little about women’s fashion, particularly high-end athletic garb, but he’d been waiting years for the chance to run a company the way he believed would lead to long-term success and productivity.
As the stepson of a successful hotelier, Alex had been expected to join the ranks of his mom’s husband’s company. She wanted him to prove his loyalty to the man who’d married a divorced, disgraced aging socialite.
Although Peter Stark hadn’t been as much of a jackass as Alex’s real father, he’d only been interested in his wife’s son from her first marriage until their own son had been born.
Sure, Alex could have continued to work as part of the hotel chain’s upper management staff with the implicit understanding the power and control would always belong to either his father or his younger brother, Jonathan. Alex could develop as many plans for innovation and improvements as he wanted, but none of it would truly make a difference. His place in the world had been mapped out for him the moment his half brother drew a first breath.
He’d fallen in love with starlet Amber Turner when they’d met at a fundraiser at the New York City Opera. She’d been wild, untamed and enough of a rebellion from his mother’s expectations to pique his interest. They’d had their goals for a family and future in common—a solid foundation to build on, or at least that’s what he’d thought. At that point, he’d still believed that if he proved himself often enough, his stepdad might give him a real chance at contributing to the business.
Amber was often away on movie sets, but at the start of their second year of dating, she’d been hired for a series filmed in New York City. Suddenly, they were together like a regular couple, which was both good and bad as far as Alex was concerned. Also both positive and negative in that his mother had accepted Amber into the family. In the age of social media, her worldwide popularity trumped pedigree, even for Genevieve Ralsten Stark, the snobbiest of the Upper East Side snobs once her second marriage had reinstalled her on her well-heeled pedestal.
Alex had caved to the pressure of putting a ring on Amber’s finger despite a few lingering doubts, figuring that in his early thirties, he was due for his trip to the altar with the woman he loved. Maybe he’d also been due to have his life turned upside down.
“I’m heading out unless you need anything else.”
He blinked away his familiar ruminations on life as Heather Garrison, the young assistant he’d hired at the recommendation of Mary Ellen from the bakery, appeared in the doorway.
“All fine here,” he answered although he hadn’t truly felt fine in a long time. “It’s supposed to be a gorgeous weekend. Don’t spend too much time studying.”
“I have a huge project to turn in next week for statistics.” Heather mock cringed then tucked a strand of long blond hair behind one ear. “Gosh, I hate statistics.”
He smiled. “Understandable.”
“But I’m going to work on my laptop outside. That counts, right?”
He liked Heather and appreciated her drive and determination. She was only eighteen but already halfway through her undergraduate degree. Something about a combination of homeschooling and taking college-level classes for the past couple of years. He couldn’t imagine being so focused and mature at such a young age. Was it weird to be jealous of a teenager because she had her life more figured out than he did?
“If it works for you. Good luck. I’ll see you on Monday.”
