Page 9 of Falling Inn Love
I know Sasha can hear our conversation, but she doesn’t add to it. All she says is, “Want to help me with the coffee bar? I put out fresh scones for the guests this time of day.”
“Sure, I’d be happy to,” I reply and follow her to the front desk.
The lobby has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with wood stacked next to it. A vanilla-scented candle burns on the mantel, which is tastefully decorated in autumn decor. I wonder what this place looks like decorated for Christmas. Probably breathtaking. Too bad I won’t be here to see it.
I carry the coffee carafes from the dining room to the front room along with the sugar and creamers. I place the scones under the glass dome.
As I wipe down the counters, I notice Evan strolling down the hall wearing a black and grey flannel over a black Henley shirt. His biceps are tight in his shirt and his chest is broad. He stares at me curiously and gives me the once-over. He’s also wearing those fitted jeans and his work boots again. Damn, he probably smells good, too.Ugh. Don’t make it weird, Beth. And for God’s sake, don’t smell him. You need this job!
He has the kind of smile I bet he could get anything with if he asked. “I see you found the coffee bar,” he says. “Thanks for stocking it. Are you ready to get started?”
My cheeks flush with heat and I nervously stand up straighter. “Yes,” I tell him and head in his direction.
“Having you here is going to be a huge help. Thank you for agreeing to stick around,” he says as he makes his way to the computer.
“Thanks for letting me stay,” I say, looking down, taking in the messy desk and piles of things stacked underneath it that looks completely disorganized and chaotic. How he can find anything up here is beyond me.
“This is going to be great for both of us,” he replies, his gaze meeting mine. “If there’s anything you need, just ask. I want this to work out. I know my mom threw all that festival stuff out there, but honestly, the festival isn’t such a bad idea. We haven’t had a fall festival since my dad died. It used to be an annual tradition here, and now I think it’s time to bring it back. Freedom Valley could really use this. We usually start planning far sooner than this, but I think we can pull it off, if you’re willing to help me.”
Damn. I wonder if he feels that. It’s like an electric shock between us. If I’m the only one feeling this, then I really need to get my head examined. He is so hot. And he does smell great, too, just like I’d guessed. A woodsy, spicy scent.
“It does sound really great, and I’d love to help. Who doesn’t love a fall festival? I have some ideas, and I’d love to hear what you’ve done in the past.”
“That’s great. Okay, so now that we have that out of the way, let’s go through the basics of running the front desk. It’s pretty straight-forward.”
Evan spends the next thirty minutes showing me the computer system, which is a dinosaur by the way, and I try hard to stay focused. He keeps side-tracking me with those electric currents that surge between us as we stand so close to each other. I resist the urge to lean against his chest and breathe him in, but let me tell you, the urge is very much there.
Evan seems okay with the guests, but there’s something about his manner that makes me think he feels anxious or unsure. I wonder if it’s me. It’s almost like he’s not confident, which doesn’t make sense because he’s so warm and inviting. It’s like he doesn’t realize how good he is at interacting with the guests and how he makes everyone seem to feel comfortable and at home. It’s actually charming.
A petite blond woman comes in. She’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt that readsSupport Local Farmers. She looks like a hippie with her hair braided on both sides of her face. Gloves stick out of the back of her jeans pocket. A little blond-haired boy follows her in, waving as he takes toys from a basket by the fireplace. He sits on the rug and begins to play.
“Hey, buddy, I heard you’re hanging out with me, today. Kase, this is Beth. Beth, this is Kase. And this is his mom, Mellie.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says as she glances at me curiously. “How long are you visiting?”
“I’m not sure.” I’m hesitant to give a date because everything is so up in the air. So far, I really like it here. It seems like it’s not a bad place to stay for a while and save up some money. But I don’t want to be attracted to Evan, even though I can’t help it. I don’t think I could fight it even if I tried.
“Forever, just like you,” Evan teases as he staples some papers together and adds them to a pile. He looks over at me and says, “Only kidding, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
Every time my gaze meets his, my heart turns over, and the way he flirts with me is really making me want to stay.What’s wrong with me?I’m not supposed to fall for anyone. And is he really flirting with me? It’s been so long since I’ve intentionally flirted with anyone. Is this really happening?
“Be careful, Beth,” Mellie scoffs as she grins. “He might just keep you like he did us.” She walks over and picks up a scone with a napkin.
I exhale. I can’t imagine being needed and wanted again. I have missed that so badly.
She turns to Evan. “Are you sure you’re okay with him in here?”
“Yep.” He hands her a sticky note with room numbers on it. “We need these rooms cleaned in this order if you can. Come back for lunch. Sasha made her chicken salad.”
“Yum! Will do. Bye, buddy. Be good for Evan. Love you, honey.” She kisses her son's head and heads out.
“He’s a good kid. Aren’t ya, buddy?” He walks over to Kase and musses his blond curls before kneeling to play with him.
Watching Evan with Kase only makes him more attractive. My ovaries are screaming. I want to put my walls up and isolate myself in my writing cave of a room with my laptop, but I think I actually really like it here. I feel like I can help them, especially because I’m good at planning stuff like the festival or bigger events. At another time in my life, this is something I would have jumped at the chance to do. But now? It’s been a long time since I put myself out there like that with other people. When I get close to people, I lose them and get hurt.
Still, there’s something about being here. I don’t want to admit this, but this place might be good for me.
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