Page 85

Preston

Yeah, I especially loved his comment about me losing the email.

Bash

He’s a douche.

Preston

Do people still say that?

Bash

Am I not right?

I chuckle and reply quickly.

Preston

You are. Let me talk to Grace, and I’ll let you know.

I need a plan for this. It’s huge for me. But asking her to leave the lodge is a bigger request than anything she’s asked of me.

She didn’t even ask me to return to Lovers after the charity event. That was my choice.

Fake engagement or not, I’d rather be here than in LA, and if the past couple of weeks have taught me anything, it’s that I can work just as well from here as I can from my office.

I rise from the desk chair in Dutton’s old office and head for Grace’s door. But of course she isn’t there.

I’d overheard her and Gavin talking the other day about how reservations are picking back up, so it’s nice to see that our plan is working.

I straighten my tie as I head down the hall to the lobby. If she’s not in her office, she’s in the lobby meeting with a bride and groom or just making herself available to guests whenever they need her.

I don’t know any other venue whose owner is as hands-on as Grace.

Even after we made that post, she’s kept the hustle. She wasn’t about to change her work ethic because she’s engaged now. No, she’s using the media distraction to her advantage.

She’s strategic like that.

Fuck, those are great qualities to have. They’re hot, too.

I just hope I don’t see a reporter out here now. One day without one would be nice. We aren’t even that exciting. We work. A lot. Why people are obsessed with us still blows my mind.

As soon as I reach the lobby, I freeze.

Grace is right there, in the middle of the room, her ex standing right in front of her.

I’m ready to tell him to fuck the hell off, but then I remember that he and his fiancée are getting married here. I can’t mess with Grace’s business like that, and let’s not forget that his fiancée is the top reporter at Epic Destinations magazine.

Fuck my life. I seriously have to play nice right now, and I’d rather punch this jerk in the face.

Grace and her ex both look at me as I approach them.

“Good to see you again, Ben,” I say with a forced smile.

“It’s Brad,” he corrects me and then glares my way.

Grace smiles at me, and I think it’s genuine.