Page 113 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
“I will. The ball is in Eleanor’s court now. If she makes contact, you can set the terms for her to see Coby.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me.” Stuart collected his papers and briefcase. “Thank Hunter.”
I would.
For Coby.
Stuart shook my hand and left, nudging through the blockade of bodies. His vacant space at my side was immediately filled with Gigi.
“I’m guessing this was all news to you today?” she asked.
“Yep.” Though in all fairness, it was only new because I’d refused to listen to Hunter’s pleas. Major fail on my part for not hearing him out. Major fail on his part for hiding this secret way too long.
She looked toward the back and frowned. “What are you going to do?”
“I have no flipping clue. For now, I’m going to go to the inn and catch up on the weekend checkouts. Then I’m going to pick up Coby and take him out for a celebration tonight, just the two of us. He won’t know that we’re celebrating but I don’t care.”
“And Hunter? You can’t avoid him forever, sweetie.”
I sighed, the exhaustion of the last hour settling heavily on my shoulders. “I don’t even know how to feel right now. I can’t talk to him until I figure that out first.”
She gave me a sad smile and squeezed my hand.
“Thanks for being here today. Even if you didn’t have to say anything.”
“I’m always here. Whenever you need.”
“Maze?” Beau called from over his shoulder.
“Yeah?”
He nodded to the back of the room where Mom had walked up to Hunter.
“Uh-oh,” Gigi muttered.
I braced, waiting for Mom to either slap Hunter or start scolding him, but she did neither. She just wrapped her arms around his tense body. “Thank you.” As quickly as she’d hugged him, she let him go, immediately walking to the door. “Brock, time to go.”
Dad didn’t say a word as he followed. He nodded at Hunter, opened the door for Mom and escorted her out.
They both knew I’d catch them up later. And they both knew that their place was not in the middle of my relationship.
“Your parents are the best,” Sabrina said, joining me and Gigi.
“Yes, they are,” Gigi and I agreed in unison.
“Do you need anything?” Sabrina asked.
“No. Thank you for coming today.”
“No problem.” She smiled at me, then announced, “Beau, it’s time to go.” She walked up to his back and laced her hand with his. When he didn’t budge, she jerked on his arm, but he still didn’t budge. “Beau.” Sabrina’s tone had sharpened. “We need to leave. This is not your business.”
He huffed. “Not my bus—”
She held up a hand and cut him off. Her movements were firm but her voice a gentle whisper. “This one isn’t your fight. Maisy can do it on her own.”
Beau’s shoulders deflated as he stared at his wife, then looked to me. “Call me if you need anything?”
