He smacks me on my shoulder. “Thinking of all the tiny details. Now go give that speech so you can take home that future bride-to-be I saw you making out with.”
“Marriage isn’t on the radar, but yeah, we’re something more than what began,” I clarify.
A cheeky grin is glued on his face. “Well, I’ll be damned, totally didn’t see that coming when you decided to sleep with her.” He’s completely sarcastic.
I shake my head then decide to let him wallow in his correct prediction.
On my way to the fireplace, in passing I snatch a glass of champagne from the tray a waiter is holding. Arriving at the lit fireplace, I quickly run through the simple fact that despite what everyone may think, I absolutely… did fuck all to prepare for this speech about to happen in three seconds.
An old man who must be a friend of the old owner is sitting on the sofa in my vicinity. “Do you mind, sir, if you clink your glass with the fork on your snack plate? I need everyone’s attention.”
“Of course, young man.” It seems to brighten his day that he gets to do the honors.
The sound of glass being used as a bell begins to cause the noise in the room to subside. Then everyone’s eyes are on me.
Clearing my throat, I gather a few thoughts, about to wing this. “Thank you for giving me a moment to say a few words. I just wanted to first of all welcome you to the Dizzy Duck Inn, a staple in Lake Spark for many years. When I heard that the former owner, Mr. Nix, who is here with us tonight, was planning on selling, it caught my attention. After all, what is a pro-hockey player to do once he retires?” It earns me a few chuckles from the room. “Having visited Lake Spark several times due to the sports complex here, and well, the population being overrun by professional athletes, then it seemed fate stepped in.”
My eyes catch Lexi’s in the back of the room, watching me intently, and it gives me the courage to come up with more words. “The inn was already a little gem, but it was time to freshen it up for a new chapter.” I tip my champagne glass up to the bricks above the fireplace. “Which is probably why some of us might be mourning the farewell of Caesar the moose’s head that was hanging up there. I promise, he is living a better life somewhere… in a closet… or the bottom of the lake. Not quite sure, but he is happy.” More laughs from the room. “Anyhow, I hope you all got a chance to walk around and see for yourself; the inn is ready to welcome guests. It wasn’t possible without a few key people. For one, my partner in the inn who prefers to stay anonymous yet reaps the benefits of partly owning an inn.” The room enjoys this, more laughter. “Any contractor who came in to use a hammer, because I cannot.” I glance to my kids. “My children who are creative in everything they do, whether it gets them grounded or not.” Lori and Harry softly smile and the shade of pride on their faces nearly makes a tear form in my eyes.
But then my eyes swing to Lexi whose smile hasn’t faded, and it gives me the strength to rid any potential waterworks. “Then there is Lexi, the mastermind behind all of this. It was her doing that you’re sitting in a perfectly designed lobby or walking into suites fit for a king.”Or me as her king.“She walked in here ready to conquer, not afraid and diving right into everything. This is truly what will make the Dizzy Duck the hotel that everyone wants to put their name on the waiting list for.”
Summer nearby watches her friend with pride, tipping her glass in her direction as her husband, Zac, has an arm around her waist.
“Lexi tends to blow into your life, ready to change it… Thank you.” I don’t mean the inn, which is why her lips twitch, because she understands my undertone.
I hold up my glass. “Okay, that’s enough speech time. If everyone can hold up your glass and say cheers.” The room erupts with the sounds of cheers, clinking a few glasses of people in the vicinity, before the room quiets down as everyone sips from their glass.
With the room revving up again with soft music in the background, I walk to my kids and instantly receive a hug.
“Can we go now?” Harry asks.
“Let me think about that,” I pretend. “Uh, no,” I flat-out answer, and he grumbles.
My eyes land on Lori who appears content. “This place is kind of cool now.”
“I would hope so.”
“Does this mean Lexi is leaving since everything is done?”
I’m quick to assure her, “Nah, something tells me that she will be sticking around.” Because I love her.
Perfect coincidence, Lexi arrives and plants her hand on my shoulder to rub once. “What’s going on, gang?”
I wink at Lori. “Nothing. Just chatting about corn muffins.”
“Well, that was a great speech,” Lexi praises.
Without thought, I kiss her cheek as a thanks.
“May we have a picture of you two?” one of the photographers asks, who’s been working the room all day. We’ve already had the essential owner and designer photo in front of the inn this morning.
What’s one more. “Yeah, sure.”
I pull Lexi to my side, and we look at one another. I tuck her even closer and her hands fist my blazer as she looks up at me and I look down. Clearly, we have affection for one another.
“You know, it never crossed my mind that you were my semi-boss. Should that concern me?” she jokes so only I can hear.
“Nah, but I will continue to boss you around anyhow,” I reply. She giggles, and it vibrates through my body.
