I stop in front of the door and wave my key card, pushing it open when I hear the little electronic click. When I step across the threshold, I say, “Oh, I’m not going to tell Margot what she’s missing out on. The room is spectacular, Graham.”
We’d had to make some adjustments to the flight details, but I had simply taken over their hotel reservation, and I am now booked into a suite decorated for a happily in love couple on Valentine’s Day.
Pretty much every cliché is represented. There is an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne, a silver tray of chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petals spread across the white duvet in the bedroom, and a basket full of bath products, including bubbles for the gigantic Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.
Additionally, there are two fluffy white robes and slippers, an extensive room-service menu laid out on the coffee table, and vases of roses everywhere.
“Is it nice?” Graham asks.
“You did a great job,” I tell him. “I won’t tell her a thing about it, so you can do the same thing next year.”
“Well, enjoy it all. I don’t want it to go to waste,” he says. “Even if you’re doing it alone.”
I feel a little prick of sadness.
Alone.
I have spent Valentine’s Day alone before, though it’s been a little while.
But I’m not sad about being alone. I’m sad because I’m thinking of Everett and how much I would like to be spending this holiday with him. Maybe it’s because he’s been a part of the last few major holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I was sad on New Year’s Eve without him, too. I don’t like this new pattern.
But it was my decision, and he has been wonderful about respecting that and supporting that decision.
Maybe in time, I will get over missing him. In time, we can be friends and coworkers. Or maybe in time I will feel like I’ve done an excellent job for IES, but I’m ready to move onto something else.
If Everett wasn’t my boss, I would happily date him.
If I was working for another company, I could do that.
And stupidly, I’ve been thinking about that more and more.
But I don’t want to leave this job yet. Not only because I shouldn’t be making professional decisions based on my heart, but because I really love the plans IES has for this next year. It’s a challenge to work with ten different farms and ensure they share our vision and stay passionate about the project, but it’s doable. We can all have everything we’re hoping for. We just need to keep our eyes on the prize.
I hate that I’m waffling a little already because I met some guy.
Sure, he’s an amazing guy, but hell, I thought Stephen, my ex-boyfriend, was amazing at one time. I don’t think I fully trust my own judgment on that. Better to bank on the business I fully understand and trust.
“Give Margot my love,” I tell Graham. “And relax. She’s going to be fine. You were there for her, and now you’re going to help her get back on her feet. Today is really just another day. You guys can celebrate Valentine’s Day there in Sapphire Falls. Theimportant thing is being together. And don’t worry about this business meeting. I’ve got it handled.”
“Thank you. Honestly, it is so great to have you on the team. I’m not worried about the meeting at all.”
I feel a warmth in my chest. This is really all I need. I just want to be acknowledged and appreciated for my skills. That is a huge sign that I’m making the right decision.
“I’ll report in after I meet with them. And thanks again for the fantastic room.” I cross to the window. “The view is amazing.”
He groans. “Stop rubbing it in.”
Laughing, we disconnect. I kick off my shoes and head into the bedroom to unpack and make sure what I want to wear to the meeting in an hour is ready to go. This job is made easier because my brother and Everett have enough money to pay for a private car to pick me up and take me to the meeting, so I don’t have to worry about calling a cab or figuring out how to get there on my own.
I change, run a straightener through my hair, touch up my makeup, and I’ve just pulled on my second boot when I hear a knock on the door.
I zip it up as I check the time, then remind myself that the driver wouldn’t be coming up to my door anyway.
Maybe Graham had some other surprise delivery for Margot planned.
Poor Margot.
I cross to the door and pull it open with a bright smile.
