“I guess a cheeseboard will have to be sufficient,” he grumbled, and I flashed him my sweetest smile before going back downstairs to get it made up.
While I sliced cheese and arranged salami, Gabriella muttered about entitled assholes getting what they wanted.
“It’s fine. The sooner I get this up to them, the sooner I can call it a night. I’m wrecked,” I grumbled.
“I can do that if you want,” Gabriella offered, but I shook it off. I was doing it. It was my night to be on call, I’d take care of it.
I’d taken the tray up and delivered it, only to get another lecture about professionalism and the need for the B&B to implement a dress code. I guess she didn’t appreciate my llama pajamas.
“Two more nights to go,” I grumbled to myself as I finished wiping down the counters and packing everything away.
“You sure you’re okay with this, Grace?” Gabriella asked, setting her pen down.
“Absolutely. It’s just going to take some adjusting,” I assured her.
“As long as you’re not having second thoughts.”
“Not at all,” I confirmed, setting my empty mug in the dishwasher. “But unless you need me, I’m going to call it a night.”
“Go ahead. I’m just finishing up and won’t be far behind you,” Gabriella told me.
I rounded the counter and hugged her in one of those awkward side hugs. “Thanks for having me,” I murmured as I kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks for coming home, Grace. We really missed you.”
“Missed you too. Night.” I gave her another hug and made my way into my makeshift bedroom.
I hated staying here. I loved my sisters, and even though I was still getting the hang of it, I loved being part of the B&B. Meeting different people each day. Sitting with them and chatting over their morning coffee or an afternoon cocktail. It wasn’t all mimosas and champagne, though. I’d never done so much laundry in my life. I swear the machine worked twenty-four-seven. Between the sheets and towels, it was a never-ending mountain.
I stepped into my bedroom and clicked on the lamp in the corner. It might as well be a dorm room for all the decorations. Even though Georgia had tried to convince me to take my old room, I didn’t want to. The tiny room off the kitchen was fine. I didn’t spend much time here and didn’t need the extra space. A bed and a place to change was more than enough. Besides most of my stuff was still boxed up at Cole’s place and bringing it here didn’t feel right. So instead, I’d made up the single bed with a quilt I’d found in the cupboard and kept my overnight bag of clothes kicked in the corner.
I shucked off my pajama pants and slipped between the sheets before grabbing my phone.
Grace: This sucks
Cole’s reply was immediate.
Cole: My bed is so big without you
Grace: I’m doing the right thing aren’t I?
I couldn’t help but ask. As much as I loved working with my sisters, I hated the mornings I missed waking up in Cole’s arms. Last night I’d thought about driving out to his place when it was my night off, but I would’ve had to be back in time for breakfast and that just felt like too much effort.
This time Cole didn’t reply. My message showed as read, but he hadn’t replied.
I tried not to read too much into it, but five frustrating minutes later, I plugged my phone into the charger, checked the alarm, and turned off the lamp.
I was tossing and turning when I thought I heard a tapping noise on my window. With a shake of my head, I ignored it and focused on trying to sleep. Tomorrow would undoubtedly be another long day.
The tapping came again.
A moment later my phone rang.
Seeing Cole’s name on the screen, I picked up. “Open the window, Grace,” Cole instructed without saying hello.
“What?”
“The window, Grace,” he repeated.
