Since taking over management of the Everwood Inn five weeks ago, Astrid had worked hard to prepare for an onslaught of business. It was a guess, but it was an educated guess, and she assured Pru and Simon that the money they were investing in linens, a new computer for the concierge area, and new software to manage online reservations and payroll would all be worth it.
Now, a mere three weeks after theOrchidfeature released, they were booked solid for the next three months.
Astrid had also spent a lot of time in the kitchen. While the array of muffins, cakes, and scones she and Jordan had brought with them during their initial meeting with Pru and Simon had convinced the Everwoods she could handle the baking, cooking was a very different thing, so they’d also hired a chef—a young Black woman named Rhea who’d studied at a culinary school in Seattle—and Astrid was excited about the partnership. She knew she could learn a lot from Rhea, who was both organized and talented. Astrid had never tasted anything in her life as delicious as the woman’s spinach and rosemary frittatas.
As for housekeeping, they’d kept on Sarah, who’d been working at the Everwood for about a decade before the reno and was thrilled about all the changes.
“This place is completely gorgeous,” Claire said as she and Delilah joined Astrid and Iris, their own glasses sparkling in the light. “We’re totally going to book a night here, aren’t we, babe?”
“Hmm,” Delilah said, nodding as she swallowed a mouthful of champagne. “Honestly, the idea of Astrid bringing me some pillows is too good to pass up.”
Astrid smacked Delilah’s arm, but she was smiling. She’d happily bring Delilah a pillow. She’d turn down her bed too, leave a mint on the cool sheets. She’d do it all and love every second of it. She adored being here, in the Everwood’s cozy hallways and rooms. She didn’t think she could love a place more. Even when the job got tedious—working on budgets or placing orders for the little soaps and a variety of shampoos for different hair types they stocked in each bathroom—she knew this was where she belonged right now.
The Everwood made her happy, plain and simple.
She spotted her mother in the crowd, elegant as always in an ivory pantsuit. About a month ago, Astrid had finally called her mother to talk. She didn’t go to Wisteria House, but asked Isabel to meet her at Wake Up—neutral ground—where she proceeded to tell her mother how she felt, everything that led up to her quitting Bright Designs.
And her mother listened.
At certain moments throughout the conversation, Isabel had looked horrified. She’d also looked sad, confused, and hopeful. She hadn’t said much in response, but Astrid simply needed her mother to hear her, and she believed Isabel had. Two weeks later, they met again for coffee, where they talked about Astrid’s new job and how Isabel was putting Bright Designs up for sale.
It was slow, sometimes uncomfortable work, but Astrid was willing to do it. More surprisingly, she knew Isabel was too, and that was all that mattered right now.
From across the room, she caught Jordan’s eye. Her girlfriend winked at her, sending Astrid’s stomach fluttering like a preteen. She smiled and bit her bottom lip, and apparently that was enough to cause Jordan to make her excuses to Natasha and head toward Astrid.
“You two are gross,” Iris said, witnessing the whole exchange.
“Oh, you love it,” Astrid said.
“Love what?” Jordan said when she arrived. She wrapped an arm around Astrid’s waist and gave her a quick kiss.
“Us,” Astrid said, leaning into Jordan. “We’re breathtakingly gorgeous together, you know.”
“Oh, are we?” Jordan said, smiling at her.
Astrid nodded, her grin impossible to prevent.
“Gag,” Iris said.
“You’re just saying that because you’re not dating anyone right now,” Claire said. “Are you jealous?”
“I most certainly am not,” Iris said, taking a sip of her drink and staring out at the crowd. “I’ve given up dating, thanks very much.”
Astrid glanced at Claire and Delilah. Iris had been oddly silent on the romance front ever since Jillian’s betrayal a couple months ago.
“Taking a break is totally fine,” Delilah said.
Iris didn’t say anything in response. Instead, she spotted Simon across the vestibule at the buffet table set up in the dining room. She squeezed Jordan’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to Astrid’s cheek, then made her way over to him. They’d been spending a lot of time together lately, Iris and Simon, though she swore they were just friends. Plus, Simon had started dating Emery fromInnside Americaa few weeks ago, right after they’d come with Natasha for the finalOrchidshoot.
“We’re going to walk around a bit,” Claire said, tangling her fingers with Delilah’s and giving Astrid a kiss on the cheek.
Astrid nodded, then pulled Jordan into a somewhat shadowy corner by the fireplace.
“Alone at last,” she said, kissing her girlfriend’s neck. Then she looked around the bustling room. “Sort of.”
Jordan tugged Astrid closer. “Just a few more hours, and then I’ll have my wicked way with you.”
“Well, Iamwearing my lucky dress.”
