Page 43 of You Know You Wanna

“I moved on from her a long time ago, but I’m still not interested in another relationship, if that’s what you mean.”

“Okay. That’s fine. Call it whatever you want to call it, but you’ve got something going on with her. Can’t say I blame you. She’s hot. A little curvy for me, but hot.”

“I don’t kiss and tell,” I said firmly. “Besides, there’s nothing going on there. She’s just been a friend to us since we got here. She took Laurene under her wing a bit and it’s partly thanks to her that Lulu’s having such a good time, so I invited her to breakfast.”

He clearly didn’t believe me, but before he could press the issue, the door burst open and Laurene came bounding in. “I know you guys are in a meeting, but could you take me into town, Daddy?”

“We were at the tail end of the meeting, so it’s fine,” Dec said.

I arched a brow at her. “What could you possibly want in town?”

She dug into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “That’s a list of items I’ll need for my upcoming camping trip.”

I took the paper from her and checked it out, reading the list. “Let’s see here. You need a backpack, hiking boots, warm socks, a raincoat, a hat, sunscreen…”

Declan chuckled at my expense when I trailed off. “It sounds like you’ve got quite a shopping trip ahead of you, Remi. Have fun with that. I’ll be at the spa if you need me.”

He walked over to the suitcase he’d brought with him and rolled it down the hall to the third bedroom. When he was gone, I smiled at Laurene. “This looks great. Let’s go get it.”

She beamed at me, and my heart constricted in my chest as I ruffled her hair. This was not going to be a cheap trip, but I was stupidly happy about the list she’d provided. Usually, when she gave me a shopping list full of things, it wasn’t stuff kids should want or care about.

Like new designer sneakers or her favorite lip gloss that cost an absurd amount of money for a twelve-year-old girl. She was her mother’s daughter in that sense.

Camping and hiking gear? I would spend thousands on that and do it with a smile. At least it meant she was preparing to spend even more time outdoors, far away from makeup tutorials and influencers with rotten attitudes.

If I was being completely honest with myself, this was the life I’d always imagined my kid would have. Back to basics, getting in touch with nature, and knowing about the world outside of five-star hotels and high-rises.

Once again, my mind wandered to Birdie as Laurene went to grab her stuff so we could go. Without her, this wouldn’t have been happening. That much, I knew for a fact. I had her to thank for giving my kid her childhood back. Even if our relationship had an expiration date, my gratitude would not.

Despite everything else, that made me even more determined to invest in this place. To keep it going for her and for generations of kids like Laurene who desperately needed someone like Birdie in their lives.

22

BIRDIE

Back in my cabin, I paced up and down, tossing a look at Gracie every so often as I rattled off everything that had happened this morning. Telling her about Remington and the newcomer, Declan, as well as everything Alan had said, my heart raced and ached, and sweat had even broken out across my brow.

To my surprise, Gracie didn’t tense up at all. In fact, the more I spoke, the more amused she seemed to be. Eventually, I stopped trying to burn a hole in the floor and narrowed my eyes at her. “What?”

She chuckled. “Okay, is it my turn now?”

I collapsed on the couch and blew out a breath. My elbows were propped on my knees and I planted my chin in my open palms. I knew I looked like a pouting child right then, but I didn’t care. I was pouting. Plus, I was pretty sure I was on the edge of mild heartbreak.

So there’s that.

“Firstly,” Gracie said, sitting up a little straighter. “Alan is a grouchy old man set in his ways. I think both of you are way overthinking this situation. Just because Remington is an investor doesn’t mean he wants to invest in this place, much less to try and take it from Alan. Investment could be a great thing here, the injection that will elevate it to new heights.”

I opened my mouth to object, but she cut me off with a sharp shake of her head. “Nope, it’s my turn now, remember? I’ve been listening to you rant and rave for almost an hour, so let me finish.”

Miming zipping my lips, I leaned back on the couch and folded my arms.

Gracie gave me a thankful smile before she ticked off another finger. “Secondly, Remington is an uptight businessman who probably isn’t used to being told no. If he has approached Alan with an offer, it’s not really so surprising that the old man didn’t take it well. He’s just as uptight, just on the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum.”

I inhaled deeply. “I suppose all of that is true, but what’s third?”

“This Declan,” she said, leaning forward and smirking at me. “Is he as hot as his business partner, and would you mind if I took a stab at him? I’ve got a little something he can invest in.”

I burst out laughing, shaking my head at my friend. “Have at it, but if he makes you feel the way I’m feeling right now, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”