Josie

by Beth Gildersleeve

  “If Miller’s okay with it, then so am I.”

  Miller snorted. “Officially, I’m not okay with this, but if the two of you are happy with it, then sign it. But first, let me go get Wren in here as another witness. Okay?” he asked and Josie and Gabe nodded their heads.

  Josie leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

  Gabe stared at the framed diplomas and community commendations on the wall behind Miller’s desk. He couldn’t believe he was pulling this off. He’d be married by his thirty-seventh birthday. He’d be CEO. Aunt Sandra and Duncan will be so disappointed, he thought gleefully.

  Gabe wished he could be a fly on the wall to see their reactions. Aunt Sandra would declare they were ruined, but Gabe wasn’t worried. He knew she’d find healing in Nordstrom’s shoe department. Eventually, they’d accept him as CEO, especially once their earnings increased with the changes he planned to make.

  Josie placed her hand on his bouncing knee. “Stop it. You’re making me nervous.”

  Gabe stopped and he put his hand over hers before she could pull it away. Her touch was more calming than the leg bouncing had been.

  “Congratulations!” Wren sang as she breezed through the door ahead of Miller. “I just heard the news from Croix and then Miller confirmed it.” Gabe noticed the panicked look in Josie’s eyes and Wren must have seen it, too. She patted Josie on the shoulder. “But don’t worry. Nothing confidential ever leaves this office. No one will hear your good news from anyone at Fortress.” Wren moved to stand next to Miller behind his desk. “Do you have a date picked out already? Something for next fall or earlier?”

  Josie cleared her throat and looked at Gabe.

  He shrugged. After everything he was putting her through, he thought the least he could do was to let her handle sharing the news with her friends as she saw fit.

  “Um, earlier.” Josie licked her lips. “Actually, Las Vegas. Tomorrow.” Her voice wavered and she flashed Wren what she probably thought was a brave smile. It wasn’t. For the umpteenth time, Gabe wished he hadn’t manipulated her into this position. But if he had to, he’d do it again, and again, and again.

  If Josie’s admission had surprised Wren, she didn’t show it. “That’s the perfect date and the perfect place. That’s where Miller and I got married.” Wren reached for her husband’s hand. “If you don’t have a dress already, I know the perfect place that rents them.”

  “I hadn’t even thought of a dress. A recommendation would be great, thanks,” Josie said.

  Gabe was relieved to hear that her voice sounded normal.

  Miller moved the poor excuse for a prenup in front of them.

  “I’m ready if you are,” Josie said to him.

  “Ladies first,” Gabe said as he picked up the heavy pen and handed it to her. It didn’t take long for the four of them to add their signatures to the document.

  “I’ll keep the original and send a copy to each of you. Gabe, if you’ll give me your attorney’s name, I’ll forward one to them, as well.”

  Gabe looked at his watch. “I appreciate that. I’ll get the info to you next week. Right now, we have a plane to catch.” If they know now, they’ll snitch to Aunt Sandra and all hell will break loose, he thought as he stood up and reached for Josie’s hand. She took it without hesitation but dropped it when they shook hands with Miller.

  “Good luck,” Wren said as she gave each of them a hug.

  Gabe took Josie’s hand and moved toward the door. They were on a tight deadline if Darlene’s text with their flight information was correct. And he knew it was because Darlene was the Queen of Details and Deadlines.

  “Gabe,” Miller said, stopping him in his tracks, “if you break her heart or screw with her business, I will take it personally and hit you with everything I’ve got. And I’ll make sure the good people of Haven roll up the welcome mat as far as you’re concerned.”

  “Got it.” Gabe nodded, keeping his irritation in check. He didn’t appreciate Miller’s warning or threat or whatever he thought that had been. But he’d be stupid to ignore it because Gabe knew without a shadow of doubt Miller had meant every word.

  Gabe envied Josie. It must be nice to have people look out for you because they care about you and not just the big, fat retainer check you wrote them every six months.

  When they stepped outside, Josie headed back the way they’d come and he followed along silently until they reached the corner. “We’ve got an eight o’clock flight. I’ll pick you up at five thirty,” he said as they waited for the walk signal. Josie looked at her watch and he noticed her quick frown.

  “Good thing I’m a light packer then.”

  “Don’t worry about a dress or anything else. We can take care of it once we get there. One of the nice things about Las Vegas is that it never closes.” He pulled out his phone and handed it to her. “Here. Fill in your contact info so I know where to pick you up.” Josie took the phone from him and started to type.

  “Wow. I’m getting married tomorrow and my fiancé doesn’t even know where I live.” She shook her head. “This is not how I’d pictured the eve of my happily-ever-after.” From the tone in her voice, he knew she was disgusted. At herself. At him. At the situation.

  He didn’t say anything. There wasn’t anything he could say. It was disgusting and he didn’t blame her. He’d try to make it up to her. Somehow. Someway.

  “I live above Jo’s Joe,” she said, interrupting his thoughts. “I own the building.”

  “Seriously?” That was a prime piece of downtown Haven real estate. With her ripped jeans, over-sized flannel shirts, and easy-going demeanor, most people wouldn’t peg her for a shark. But she was, and he made a mental note to never underestimate her again. “I thought Jamie lived above the shop.”

  “We both do. He moved in with me after rehab.”

  “Doesn’t look big enough for two people.” Heck, he’d bet the master bathroom in the big house at the Woodland estate was bigger than it was.

  Josie shrugged. “It’s tight, but I wanted to keep an eye on him and I didn’t want to move. Living above the shop is a blessing and a curse. It’s great since I get up so early, but I’m never really away from it, ya’ know?”

  “True, but you can’t beat a fifteen-stair commute.”

  Josie slowed their pace as they walked in front of the shop’s front windows. She surveyed the room.

  “Everything look good?” he asked.

  “About as good as it can at this time of day.” They passed the building and she turned the corner. “Where will we live when we’re married?”

  “We’ve got time to figure that out. It’s not like our places are that far from each other. I’m only about a ten-minute walk from here and my lease runs through the end of the year. Let’s play it by ear and see what works best for us.” Gabe followed her as she walked into the parking lot behind the building.

  Josie stopped at the staircase leading to the second floor. “We’re home,” she said.

  “Do you need a hand? Packing?” he offered. He still needed to walk back to his rented townhouse and pack, but he wasn’t ready to say good-bye yet.

  “I think I can handle it, but thank you.” She seemed nervous now that they’d stopped walking.

  He needed to keep her moving so she wouldn’t have time to think. Neither he nor Witz Holdings were safe until her name and signature were on the marriage certificate. “All right. I’ll be back here at 5:30.” Gabe leaned down and brushed a soft kiss on her lips. “Thank you, Josie,” he murmured before forcing himself to walk away.

  4

  The cool night air brushed against Josie’s face, and she snuggled into the warm cocoon surrounding her. She just needed a few more minutes of sleep, but that was nothing new. She always needed more sleep. It was a good thing she owned a slew of coffee shops because there were days she was convinced she had more java flowing through her veins than blood. Although, if she didn’t own the shops, she wouldn’t need to get up so early and she
wouldn’t need to drink the coffee to function. It’s a vicious cycle, she thought as she opened her eyes and saw Gabe’s light brown eyes staring back at her.

  They reminded her of the golden eyes she’d seen on the bald eagles at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, on a fourth-grade class field trip. He’s like a bird of prey and I’m the mouse, she thought uneasily as she shifted away from him. She missed his warmth but she felt safer.

  “We’re here?” Josie asked as she looked at the open car door.

  “We’re here,” Gabe confirmed. “Ready?” He slipped out of the back seat.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Josie put her hand into his. Gabe pulled her out of the vehicle and steered her toward the front door. “But, wait. We need our stuff,” she argued as they neared the wide glass entrance.

  “No need to worry, ma’am, we’ll take care of it,” said the young lady behind the bellhop station. “Your usual room, sir?”

  “Ah, yes. Thanks, Sharon,” Gabe muttered as the front doors slid open.

  Josie stopped as soon as she’d cleared the entrance. There was no way she could walk and gawk at the same time. The lobby’s low hung ceiling was glass, the floors were a dark brown and tan marble, and the walls were a combination of wood and tile. Josie felt like she was still outside in the desert. She sniffed—sagebrush and lavender. The owners had spared no expense in creating the resort and spa’s building or atmosphere. Josie felt her shoulders relax but her worries intensify.

  “Let’s get checked in,” Gabe urged as he pulled lightly on her hand. “You can look around tomorrow.”

  “What’s going on?” Josie stood her ground. She wasn’t moving until she had some answers. She couldn’t put her fingers on it, but something wasn’t right, and she wasn’t budging until she knew what it was.

  “What do you mean?” Gabe asked. He looked confused and a bit too innocent.

  Josie tugged her hand out of his. “We flew first-class on last-minute tickets. You hired a limousine service to drive us here. This resort is far off the Las Vegas strip and it reeks of luxury.” She stuffed her hands in her pockets and rocked back on the heels of her Converse tennis shoes.

  “So? It’s not every day I get married. I just wanted this to be special.” He shrugged.

  “Okay, I get that. But I need you to understand that while I certainly enjoy luxury, I don’t need it. You work hard for your money and I do, too. While this is nice”—Josie took her hands out of her pockets and waved them around— “it isn’t required.”

  Gabe grabbed her hands before she could stuff them back into the safety of her front pockets. “Yes, but—”

  “No, buts. I mean it.”

  “Listen, I—”

  “Gabriel, you’re finally here!” Josie and Gabe turned to look at the young woman approaching them. Her heels clicked a quick tattoo against the marble floor. Gabe dropped Josie’s hands and hugged the other woman. A bit too tightly, in Josie’s opinion.

  “Rachel, this is Josie Wright. Josie, this is my cousin Rachel and somewhere around here is another version of her, her twin, Rebecca.”

  “Identical?” Josie asked.

  “No, we’re easy to tell apart. Becca looks older.” Rachel smirked. Josie liked her already.

  “I get it now,” Josie said to Gabe. “You have an inside connection. That’s why we’re staying here.”

  “Yep,” Gabe said and smiled tightly. Not at all like the huge smile he’d given Rachel.

  Josie closed her eyes and covered her mouth to hide the impending yawn. “Sorry,” she apologized sheepishly.

  Rachel just chuckled. “We’ve put you in your usual suite, but why don’t I walk down there with you? I can run through tomorrow’s agenda with Josie and save you both some time.” Rachel turned on her heels, and Gabe and Josie followed her.

  Josie’s feet sank into the plush carpeting as they left the lobby and entered the guest area of the resort.

  “So, Josie, as soon as you’re back from getting the marriage license at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau tomorrow, go to the spa. I’ve got you booked for a mani-pedi and the spa concierge can help arrange any other services you’d like.”

  “Thank you. The mani-pedi alone sounds wonderful. I’ll be pretty relaxed after that so I won’t need anything else.” Josie looked at her ragged fingernails. The nail technician will need to be a miracle worker, she thought. Working at the coffee shops, Josie constantly washed her hands. They were always dry and chapped no matter how much lotion she used during the day or how many creams she slathered on at night.

  “Please?” Rachel begged. “You’d be doing us a huge favor. We were hoping you’d act as a mystery shopper.”

  “Oh, well, if it would be helpful, I could try another service or two.”

  “Great, just do whatever you want but you need to be back in your room by two. Don’t worry about lunch. I’ll coordinate with the concierge to have it brought to you.”

  “What happens at two?” Josie was almost afraid to ask. Gabe must have sensed her uneasiness because he wrapped his hand around hers.

  “Becca and I will bring dresses up to your room. You’ll need a wedding gown and a cocktail dress for Gabe’s birthday party on Sunday.”

  Josie was about to ask for more information about the birthday party but she caught Gabe’s slight head shake and it looked like he’d mouthed the word “later.” Josie kept her mouth shut. He was probably worried that she’d ask a question a real bride would already know the answer to.

  Rachel must not have noticed because she continued to rattle on about dresses, colors, styles, and shoes. “Once you’ve picked out your dresses, we’ll have someone from the spa come and do your hair and makeup. The ceremony is at five o’clock in the gazebo but the photographer will meet you just before that for some photos.”

  “What about rings?” Josie asked. “I don’t want something fancy, just a simple gold band is fine, but I do want something.” Josie dragged her eyes to meet Gabe’s. And she breathed a little easier. From the slight smile on his face, he must have felt the same way.

  “No problem. I can have the jeweler meet with the two of you over lunch.”

  “Or,” Gabe said, “if you trust me, I can pick them up while you’re mystery shopping the spa.”

  Rachel snorted before Josie could answer. “She’d better trust you. She’s marrying you, you big dope.” Rachel waved the key card in front of the door and ushered them in. “I’ll set your cards on the credenza. If there’s nothing else you need for the evening, I’ll see myself out.” Rachel hugged Gabe and then pulled Josie in for one, too. “Thanks, and welcome to the family,” she said with a final squeeze before letting go of Josie and walking to the door. “See you both tomorrow. Goodnight,” she called as the door clicked shut behind her.

  “Why did she thank me?” Josie asked Gabe.

  “Because she’s a brat and doesn’t think any sane woman would marry me,” Gabe joked as he picked up their luggage, which the bellhops had efficiently delivered to their room.

  Josie followed him into the living room. Like everything she’d seen so far, it was tastefully and expensively decorated. Dark marble floors covered the entryway and kitchenette and the suite had stucco and brick walls. In the sunken living room, several deep, plush couches faced a gas fireplace. It was hard not to notice the large flat-screen television mounted above it. From the living room, she could see through the breakfast bar into the kitchenette. Top of the line there, too, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. She spied the automatic one-cup coffee maker on the breakfast bar.

  “I’m not using that,” Josie said and pointed. She was too tired to keep the disgust out of her tone.

  “Don’t worry. The coffee from room service is good. Not as great as yours but drinkable.” They stood and stared at each other.

  Josie smiled and she hoped she looked as happy as Gabe did. Neither one of them said anything. They just stood in companionable silence looking at
each other. Josie was about to ask him what he was thinking when a wave of yawns overtook her.

  She was exhausted but wired and she knew sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight. Josie wandered toward the French doors across from the kitchenette and flicked open the curtain. Outside was a small private patio complete with lounge furniture. To her right at the end of the living room was another set of French doors. Behind it was a bedroom complete with a three-quarter bathroom and all the other amenities she was coming to expect. She rolled her head and shoulders as she walked back into the living room.

  Gabe was right where she’d left him, but he now looked uncertain. He gave her a tight smile.

  “I’ll take the small bedroom.” He pointed at the room she’d just left. “Knowing Rachel and Becca they’ll want to spread out, so the master bedroom will work better for you.”

  Ah, door number three, she thought as she looked toward it. Josie didn’t need luxury but she was starting to appreciate it and she couldn’t wait to see what was in that room. “About the dress,” she said.

  “Dresses,” he corrected. “My Aunt Sandra is throwing me a family birthday party on Sunday and she’s not a casual woman. I don’t think she even owns a pair of jeans. Anyway, you’ll need a party dress for it and since this was a spur of the moment decision, I asked them to help you get a dress for that, too. They know how she operates and I trust them to help you.” Gabe walked toward door number three and she stumbled after him.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure Rachel and Becca have it all under control,” Gabe said as he opened the door to the master suite and reached for Josie’s hand. He pulled her in for a hug and she laid her head against his shoulder.

  She was bone tired and it felt good to lean on him. Gabe rubbed his large hands up and down her back a few times before settling on her waist. Josie tilted her head back and smiled at him. She knew she looked a mess but she didn’t care and from the look on Gabe’s face, he didn’t care either.

  Josie’s heart hammered in her chest as Gabe dipped his head. She stood frozen as his warm lips lightly brushed hers. Her resistance melted away as he deepened the kiss and she sank into him. Josie didn’t want to move. She was right where she wanted to be. She moaned and Gabe’s hands slid up her body. He angled her head and deepened the kiss even more. He slowly ended the kiss and they rested their foreheads against each other as they caught their breath.