With a sigh, I grab my phone and for the first time, power it on to see all the voicemails and unanswered text messages from Lisa.
There’s no point delaying the inevitable much longer.
I know from her messages, Lisa is pissed. Even though Jaxon had let her know the situation with the storm, a deadline was a deadline, and I’d missed mine.
I press the number to call her and hold my breath.
“Tell me you have the article done.”
“Hi, Lisa.” I try to sound more relaxed than I am. I’m pretty sure I’m failing. “I’m fine. The storm was crazy, but?—”
“Yeah. Yeah. Obviously, that’s great. I’m glad you’re fine, but I have a big blank spot where your article is supposed to go.”
“It’s a website—can’t you just move things around?” It’s not like it was an old-school newspaper press.
“Chloe, that’s not how this works,” Lisa says. “I need writers I can count on, and right now, I don’t think you’re one of them.”
“No. No.” Panic wells up inside me. I need this job. “I’m definitely one of your writers. I’ll get the article done right away.”
“I need it tonight, Chloe. Eight at the latest.”
Eight?
I glanced at the time. That didn’t give me long. I was going to have to skip dinner. “Okay,” I agree. “Eight. It’ll be in your inbox.”
The lodge is beautiful, and I already know I’ll write a great review. But I’d really rather be having dinner in the dining room, preferably with Ryder, and then writing my own book. Or better yet, doing more research for it.
I’m still thinking of what more research with Ryder will look like when I walk down to the dining room. I see him right away,across the room with his back turned. My pulse races and my panties are already wet. My reaction to this man is insane.
There’s no way I can walk away from the lodge—and him. Not when the connection is so strong. I just wish I knew if he felt the same.
As if he senses me, Ryder turns at that moment. He has a huge grin on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. For a split second, I think that smile is for me, but then I see her.
A gorgeous blonde with huge boobs straining against a very low-cut shirt. She’s leaning in and clearly flirting with Ryder, who, from where I’m standing, looks to have been flirting right back.
I freeze only a few feet away from him, my appetite gone. All I want to do is run and hide in my room.
“Chloe.”
I can’t listen to anything he has to say. It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m just a stupid girl who thought I’d finally found my happily ever after. I was wrong.
With a shake of my head, I turn and run.
Ryder
Shit.
I know it looks bad. Really bad. But it’s not what she thinks.
It can’t possibly be, because it’s so clear in my head. Chloe is the only woman for me.
“Chloe!”
Jaxon and Briggs will probably want to kick my ass for making a scene in the dining room, but I don’t give a fuck. I need to get to my girl.
Without a backward glance at the guest I was chatting with, I take off through the dining room and catch up to Chloe in front of the stone fireplace.
“Stop.” I grab her arm and pull her to a stop before she can run off again. “It’s not what you think.”
