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My arm is around my girlfriend as we sit in our booth at the Inn the next morning. We never made it back here for the rest of the celebration but from what I hear, Chase and Pepper didn't seem to notice since they disappeared shortly after arriving themselves.
Likely not for the same reason Charlie and I were…unavailable, since they had a guest last night.
They sent a mass text thanking us for the day and asked us to meet them here for breakfast with "Aunt Robin" before she left town again.
Levi and Jackson were already here when we walked in.
"Isn't it a little early for a chocolate milkshake?" I ask my nephew.
He shrugs and Levi answers for him. "Dad's backed up in the kitchen. Ethan is helping prep for the morning rush."
"Where's Tessa?" I ask.
Levi's brows perk as if to say "Good question".
"Ethan is working on the breakfast platter for you. What do you want to drink?" Dad asks, walking up to our table.
"You short one waitress?" I ask again.
Dad sighs. "I found out she's been staying in one of the guestrooms upstairs. She left a note yesterday with her uncashed paycheck. My guess is she skipped town again."
"You don't say…" Levi scoffs, keeping his reaction PG for the sake of the kid.
"Oh no, is she okay?" Charlie asks.
"I asked. Offered to help. Told her we could come up with an arrangement for her to stay here and that it may be beneficial having someone onsite."
"And?"
"And she thanked me for everything and said we could discuss it after the wedding. This morning, I found the place spotless and her check on the counter with a note."
"Sorry, Dad," Levi offers and it's almost genuine.
Dad grumbles and walks away.
I slide out of the booth. "I'll get our coffee."
After a long breakfast with our whole crew, Dad and Emma take Jackson to build his own ice cream sundae behind the bar.
"So you're sure you don't need our place in Denver?" Chase asks Charlie.
Charlie glances over at me and shakes her head. "No. And I'm turning down the job at the museum. It was a rash decision because I needed something. But it's not what I want."
"So what will you do?"
Charlie laughs, scrunching her nose. "I don't know yet. This is all kind of new…" She plays with my fingers around her shoulder and looks up at me in a way I've longed for her to. With love and trust in her eyes instead of regret.
I kiss the side of her head lightly, exchanging a glance with my older brother.
"Well, is there anything else we can do?" Pepper asks. "That was kind of our way of repaying you for helping with the wedding planning. And you won't take money from me, so what else can we do?"
"Oh, we'll be cashing in soon, don't worry," I say, aiming it at my brother.
Charlie nudges me. "No, we won't. We were happy to help."
Levi clears his throat and pulls out of the booth, leaving Jackson's backpack behind. "In the meantime, you newlyweds can help me and Dad in the kitchen. Let's go."
Pepper frowns. "Why am I being put to work?"
