Dinner, while healthy, is as gourmet as any five-star establishment. I make a note of the baked potatoes that have been branded with The Graces logo — probably with an iron of some sort. Moon-bow might like to try it.
When we finally get to our room, a nightcap of chilled champagne, bite sized fruit and private-label fine chocolates wait for us.
“Aaaaaw, man. I could get used to living like this.” Jesse pops a chocolate in his mouth and then opens the champagne.
After drinking the entire bottle, and playing with the massage beds, we change into pjs and turn off the light.
Doesn’t take long for Jesse to fall asleep. He snores, but softly.
Me? I toss and turn, eyes wide open and flat on my back for most of the night. The Av has better blackout curtains. I can see the moon through these.
God, I miss Victor’s warm body, his arms cocooning me. Maybe any warm body will do? I look over at Jesse in the other bed. I could curl up next to him. I instantly dismiss the idea. He’d think it was sexual. Is it a sexual need?
My mind goes round and round with these kind of insipid questions for hours. I get not one minute of sleep.
Frustrated, I fling the covers off at five-thirty, change into clothes for a sunrise Tai Chi class and leave Jesse a note. The Av needs Tai Chi classes, I decide, stretching in a windmill posture.
Jesse’s up and dressed when I get back to our room. I shower. Then, we have a quick breakfast at the continental bar and have the valet bring my car up.
“So, how long do you need at Lynch and Pikel?”
“Not long.” He swallows, looks over at me. “Just time enough to tell my dad no thanks.”
“What?” My mouth gapes open.
“I’m not taking the internship.”
“Why? Because I didn’t say yes to The Graces?”
“Love you girl, but you not being here has nothing —.” He stops talking, tilts his head like he just had an epiphany. “Damn.” He scratches his jaw.
“What?”
“I, um, I want to be in Boulder this summer.”
“Where Gabs will be.” I nod. “But you were perfectly fine being separated from me.” I hug him. “I told you so.”
He chuckles. “You’re the best almost-girlfriend ever. Let’s make a pact, though. If neither of the Santanas work out for us, and we’re still single at age thirty-five, you and I will get married, have enough kids to field a baseball team.”
“Only if we can adopt ninety percent of the team. I am not popping out that many kids.”
“Deal,” he says.
I hold out my pinkie. He rolls his eyes, but hooks his finger around mine and we swear on it.
At Lynch and Pikel, Jesse introduces me to his dad and a brother working there. Then, we eat lunch and dawdle around in the art shops of downtown Santa Fe. The paintings just remind me of Victor. His are on par if not better than everything I see here.
“You’re quiet.”
“Hmmm. Did you know that Victor paints?” I study one of the southwest paintings in front of us.
“Really?”
I nod. “He’s quite good, too.”
“You sure you don’t want to call him? He’s been contacting you every five minutes since we left.”
“No, I’m not ready to deal with him. I have to make up my mind first.”
“Make up your mind about what?”
I look up at Jesse. “Where I’m going to intern. Turns out I really like The Graces. I can see myself working there” — with a hand, I indicate the town — “living here.”
Serious all of a sudden, Jesse pulls me out of the shop and makes me sit on a bench away from the main walkway.
“You’re going to intern at The Av.”
“Not necessarily. I’m reconsidering.” I pick at my skirt.
“Yes, you are. If I have to drag you back hogtied. The Av is what you really wanted.” He stares at me for a response. When I don’t give him one, he sighs. “Let’s take another angle at this. I’m glad you spurned me.”
“I did not spurn you.”
“Yeah, ya did. And I’m happy about it now. If you and I had hooked up, it’d be way more complicated. Gabriela might not even look at me if I had banged her best friend, right?”
“Right.” A history between your best friend and your boyfriend would be difficult to overcome.
“So, you did me a solid, let me do one for you. Don’t just assume Victor knew what Gabriela did. I don’t and I can’t stand the guy. He really cares for you, Cherie. I’m a man. I can tell when another guy is hung up on someone.”
“Can you now?”
He raises his eyebrows. “I love you, baby. Do you think I’d be encouraging a relationship if I thought he didn’t?”
“Fine. I think you’re right. He does care for me and I care for him. But that’s not necessarily enough. Gabs called me broken.”
Jesse takes my hand, kisses it. “Gabriela is full of envious shit. You found something special right out of the gate. She didn’t. She settled for Baldwin for fuck’s sake. Victor’s into you, you’re into him. Any spurned almost-ex can see that.”
Our second night at The Graces is much like the first. A fine dinner, chocolate, champagne, Jesse snoring and me lying wide awake missing Victor. This is insane.
I do the Sunrise Tai Chi, again, and we enjoy a full day of spa treatments, various exercise classes and fabulous meals.
I meet Mr. Rodriquez in his office after dinner. He talks numbers about wellness tourism, the rate of annual growth of the market niche and about my potential with the company. He vows they’d match The Avalon’s starting salary and four year job commitment.
“I’m immensely impressed, Mr. Rodriquez. The Graces is beautiful and the divine pampering was just what I needed. I’ll recommend the spa to all my friends and relatives.”
“Permit me to say, Ms. Valentine, you look a thousand times better than when you arrived. Please don’t take offense.”
“No offense taken. Perhaps guest before and after photos may prove popular?” I joke.
He thinks about it for a moment. “That’s an excellent idea. And an example of why we’d love to have you on staff.”
“How soon do you need my answer?”
“You’re reconsidering us, then?”
I nod.
“Excellent. This cycle, you’re the only applicant we’ve deemed qualified enough for us. If you don’t take it, it will go unfilled until the next round. So, take all the time you wish. Just let us know before fall semester.” He stands to walk me out. “No matter your decision, I predict you’ll be very successful in the hospitality industry, Ms. Valentine.”
“Thank you.”
Back in our room, Jesse and I have the usual nightcap and he falls right to sleep, again. For the third night in a row, I toss and turn until the wee hours.
In the morning, I let him drive hoping to sleep in the car. I don’t, though. Instead, I mull over a plan I’ve been hatching the last couple of days — working at The Av the rest of the summer without having sex with Victor. I’m going to breakup with him. Let’s see how he reacts, see if we can work together as exes. If it goes well, I’ll do the Fast Track Program. If it doesn’t, I’ll be Santa Fe bound in September.
Victor has not let up on the calls or texts. Gabs did, however. She stopped yesterday evening.
Every mile we get closer to Telluride, the thicker the knot in my stomach ties itself. I text Victor to let him know we’re on our way back and that I need to see him. He texts back an entire screen full of exclamation points followed by flying from denver 2night. can’t wait to c u sweetness.
When we turn from highway 184 to 145, Jesse glances at me. “Where do you want to go when we hit town?”
I close my eyes, take a deep breath. “All my stuff is at Gabs’ condo. Let’s go there first. Then, I have to find a cheap hotel until I can find another place to live.”
“You’re not going to live with her, then?”
“No
way. She might set me up with her uncle next.”
“Not funny. Give her a break.”
I shrug.
“Beside, there is no such thing as cheap housing in Telluride, you know that, right?” Jesse reminds me.
I grimace.
“I’m happy to float you some cash,” he says.
I smile at him. “Thanks. I may take you up on it. Maybe Monbeau has a spare room.”
Jesse throws his back in laughter. “Please let me be there when you tell Victor you’re moving in with the chef.” That thought has Jesse amused for a good ten miles.
By the time we climb to the top of the ridge and head down into the valley, my heart is racing. About six hours on the road and an hour break for lunch, we pull into the condo parking lot at three o’clock.
Instantly opening the door, Jesse steps out. I sit still for a moment, gathering courage.
I didn’t do anything wrong. She did.
Jesse opens my door and holds out his hand. “I’m here with you. Let’s do this.”
I unlock the condo door and step inside. While Victor’s place leans modern in decor, Gabs’ style leans cottage with antiques and cozy throws. It’s eerily quiet.
“Gabs?” I call out. No answer. I blow out a breath.
“She’s not here,” Jesse says.
“Good. I can get my things and be gone before she gets back.” No confrontation needed.
We check both guest bedrooms and the closets. Nothing.
“You don’t think she torched your shit, do you?” Jesse grins.
I grunt. “When it comes to Gabs, I wouldn’t bet on anything any more. Ells and I flipped for the master, maybe it’s in there.”
I move down the hall and push the door open. And scream my lungs out. Gabs lies awkwardly on the floor. Near her are several pill bottles and an overturned glass of what looks like was wine. She’s been here a while.
“Holy fuck.” Jesse kneels next to her and feels for a pulse. I call 9-1-1.
chapter forty-one
I SHOULD HAVE chartered a fucking plane. I’d be wheels down in Telluride by now. It was nice to see my folks, but Cherie was on my mind every second. Torturing me with her silence — every call and text gone unanswered. I’d badgered Grandmother into calling Rodriquez to at least make sure she got there safely.
Planning to leverage my new ownership in The Graces, I was convincing my older brother, Dante, to take over as GM at The Av when Cherie’s text chimed through. Though she was on her way back to Telluride, I covered all the possibilities. Where Cherie winds up, that’s where I’ll be, too.
Teasing me mercilessly, Dante agreed to be my backup. “You have it bad, mi hermano.”
I palm the little blue box in my pocket. While the Santana jet was recalled and readied, I visited Tiffany’s, bought the biggest god damn rock they had. Four days and three nights apart was all it took to know I don’t want to live without her. I will not rest until this ring is on her finger, my mark on her throat and my mating venom in her veins. When she’s ready, I’ll be ready.
You will get married, mi ninfa, and soon.
My phone chirps. It’s Cherie!
“Hi, sweetness.” I close my eyes, eager to hear her sweet voice.
“It’s Jesse.”
My eyes open. “Why the fuck are you using Cherie’s phone?”
“Where are you?” He asks, his tone serious.
“In the queue on a DIA runway, waiting to take off. Why?”
“Are you sitting down?” His breaking voice scares me.
“Fuck, Jesse. I’m belted into the seat. Just spit it out.”
“Come to the hospital as soon as you land,” he says softly. “ICU.”
Every molecule in my body pays attention. The only sound I hear is blood rushing through my ears. Breathe. Just need to breathe. I lower the phone, bow my head and say a desperate prayer to every spiritual creature and entity I can think of.
“Victor? Hello? Are you still there? Victor!?”
Raising the phone back to my ear, gritting my teeth, I ask the dreaded question. “Cherie?”
“No. Cherie’s fine — physically that is. It’s Gabriela. Victor, it looks like she tried to kill herself.”
“What do you mean looks like?”
“Don’t know for sure. We found her passed out on the bedroom floor. There were all types of pill bottles. Cherie thinks it was a suicide attempt.”
“Damn it.” I scrub my jaw. This couldn’t be about Baldwin. Maybe the fights with me and Cherie?
“Thing is, they won’t tell us squat about her condition because we’re not family. Is there another Santana closer?” Jesse says.
“Reed’s in Colorado Springs. He’s the closest.”
“That’s a five hour drive. You fuckers left her here alone?”
I hear his hard breathing. Sounds like he’s going to come unglued any second.
“Keep it together, Jesse. Both girls need you right now. Yell at me when I get there so I can bust your jaw, hmm? Look, the captain’s telling me to turn off the phone. I’ll be there in an hour or less. Call Grandmother — Maria Santana should be a contact in Cherie’s phone. Relay the message that I’ll send the plane back to Denver the second I land.”
Ten minutes after touch down at Telluride’s tiny airport, I’m running through the sliding doors into the hospital. The security guard, a French wolf, points me to the secretive wolven wing of the facility.
Outside the ICU waiting room, I peer through the window on the door. Cherie’s asleep across a sofa, her feet in Jesse’s lap. Selfish fucking bastard that I am, all I want to do is wake her, kiss her, hold her — stare into her beautiful face.
Jesse, head on his hand, elbow propped on the sofa arm, stares at the floor. When I open the door, he looks up, puts a finger to his lips.
The kid slides out of the seat, gingerly sets Cherie’s feet down. “This is the first she’s slept since we’ve left Telluride,” he whispers, pushing me out into the hall.
You couldn’t sleep, either, mi ninfa?
I quietly close the door to the waiting room, follow Jesse to the reception desk.
Confirming I’m family with an ID, the nurse presses a button that unlocks the doors. She says to please come through.
I point my thumb at Jesse. “He’s coming, too. He’s her fiancé,” I lie.
“Well, why didn’t you say so, young man?” She moves down the hall.
Though small, this portion of the hospital is staffed by wolven nurses and doctors. It’s a way to keep humans oblivious that shifters exist and provide the specialized Lycan care we need.
Unconscious, hooked up to machines and oxygen, Gabby’s normally honey-colored skin looks pasty. Jesse, emotionally moved, grunts and clears his throat. I grip his shoulder, squeeze.
“You sit with her. I’ll find a doctor.”
Jesse nods. Taking her limp hand, he kisses her pallid cheek. “I’m here, G. Been here the whole time. So is Cherie.” He strokes her hair. “Wake up for me, girl.” He pulls a stool closer to the bed.
This kid loves my cousin — no doubt about it. The doctor finds me right outside the door.
“Blood tests show a dangerous combination of alcohol and sleeping aids,” he says. “At this point, all we can do is let her sleep it off. Our real concern, even considering her wolven DNA, is the blood that pooled while she was lying on the floor. We’re keeping an eye on her brain for signs of swelling.” He flips open a file, hands me consent forms and a pen. I sign them all.
The doctor checks on Gabby, then leaves.
“Hey, kid.” I get Jesse’s attention. “You okay here by yourself?”
He nods. “Go see Cherie.”
Exactly what I want to do. I hurry back the way we came. Through the waiting room window, I see that my girl’s awake now, reading something on her phone.
Happy to see her, but cautious as to what her reaction to me will be, I open the door slowly. She looks up at the sound. Relief flashes in her eyes fir
st. Then, anger. Then, fear. Finally, the relief comes back to stay. Fat tears pool in her beautiful blue eyes.
“Victor.” She stands and takes a step toward me.
Two giant steps of my own and she’s in my arms — tight in my arms. My hands cradle her head.
“My Cherie.” I rain kisses all over her face, take her mouth savoring the sweet taste of my girl.
Only our need to breathe forces my mouth off of her soft lips. I lean my forehead to hers. “Are you okay?”
She vehemently shakes her head no. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said the things I did to Gabs, shouldn’t have left her alone. God, Victor.” Cherie dissolves into a puddle of tears.
I lift her, carry her to the sofa and settle her in my lap. I cradle her head with one hand, rub her back with the other, wishing I had six more hands to comfort her. “It’s not your fault. I said some wicked things to her, too.” I look into Cherie’s eyes. “I was so pissed when I found out what she’d done to you, I kicked her out of The Av.”
“You did?” Cherie asks through a sniffle. She caresses my cheek. I lean into it, kiss her hand.
I nod. “But what I really should have done is thank her.” I kiss my girl, again. “Thank her for sending you to me. I love you, Cherie. If you ever fucking run out on me again, I swear to god, I will track your shapely ass down and, fuck the laws, I will haul you back.” I give her a small smile. I’m only slightly kidding.
Tracing my lip with a finger, she ignores my declaration of love, the vow to break the law. “I thought you and Gabs —.”
“I know what you thought. I have to say, Cherie, that hurts.” I make her look at my eyes rather than my mouth. “That you’d think I’d do such a fucked up thing. What have I done to you that you think so little of me?”
Her eyes dart between mine. “I was shocked and angry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” She tears up again. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” she whispers, lays her head on my chest. We’re quiet for a moment.
“What did the doctor say about Gabs?” Cherie asks.
I relay the details of my cousin’s condition. “Looks like you found her in the nick of time.” I kiss the top of Cherie’s head, bury a hand into the silky hair at the back of her head and massage softly.
Accidental Lover (Wolven Moon Book 3) Page 30