The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(46)

“I have eyes everywhere,” Lana reminded them. “And I would have found him a seat belt. Jake, your daddy doesn’t take care of you at all.”

“L, you literally ditched your so-called best friend sloppy drunk the first night she was here.”

“And see how nicely that turned out? You two are delightful, by the way. Much better than the last one she was dating.”

Zoey’s face heated up at the insinuation of Lana’s comment, and she was glad neither one seemed aware of her presence. To her horror, Lana kept going.

“I’ve never met someone so boring in my life. How she managed to climb in bed with him—”

Graham must have been horrified too because he shook his head as if to shake free the images.

“Okay, so I’m going to stop that line of thought. Lana. Lana.”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t forget my dog. Don’t forget his water. Don’t forget he exists. And please, for the love of everything, don’t forget he can’t see.”

“I will send you pictures on the hour to prove that we are having nothing but the most fabulous time.” Lana picked up Jake, even though it took both of her arms to Graham’s one. “Say bye, Graham. Bye-bye. We’re going to be so much chicer by the time daddy gets home.”

Graham whimpered.

Jake had the gall to look pleased.

“She’s good with breakable things,” Zoey promised him.

“Come on, handsome,” Lana cooed. “You and I are going to get a makeover.”

“Don’t listen to any advice she gives you, buddy. You aren’t an autumn. Poodles make terrible girlfriends. Make good choices!”

Zoey patted him on a muscled arm, watching Lana sashay off with Graham’s fur baby. “Don’t worry. I think she’s joking.”

“Think or know?”

“I hope? Come on. Our shuttle should be here any minute.”

Graham allowed Zoey to herd him outside where the Moose Springs Adventurers tour shuttle was supposed to pick her and Lana up. As Graham held the door for her, he returned Zoey’s murmured thanks with a nod, then his eyes flickered over her shoulder to a woman hustling down the sidewalk. She was beautiful, from nose to high-heeled toes, in a perfectly tailored suit with the managerial bearing to match.

Shifting out of her path was instinctual, but Graham continued to hold the door for her and the breathless desk clerk at her back.

“Morning, Hannah. Grass. As always, a pleasure.”

Grass narrowed his eyes, edging through the door sideways so as not to offer his blind side to Graham. Huh.

“How’s Harold this morning?”

“He’s already made the sous-chef weep.” Hannah the—oh. She was the night manager of the hotel, or at least that was what her name tag said. Hannah turned to Zoey. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay, Ms. Caldwell.”

“I hope you’re enjoying your stay,” Graham mimicked in a squeaky voice, earning himself a swat of Hannah’s hand.

“Don’t start, mister. Graham, today has been a nightmare.” As she went through the door, the hotel manager put her hand on his arm and squeezed. “But it would have been a worse nightmare without the warning. Thank you.”

“I know it’s stressful up here, and they have you way overloaded.” He gave Hannah a softer version of his normal greeting. “Anytime you want out, let me know. I’m down for a rescue mission.”

“If I ever need rescuing, I’m more than capable of doing it myself.” Hannah bumped her shoulder to his playfully. “And I like running this place, even on the bad days. Now get out of my hotel. You always cause trouble when you’re here.”

Graham let the door close, following Zoey to the sidewalk.

“You’re friends with the manager?” she asked cautiously, aware she was prying.

“Hannah’s my ex. I’m the one that got away.”

“Does she think that?”

“I assume she does.” Graham glanced down at her. “Why, are you jealous, Zo?”

“Nope.” Definitely, probably nope. “I just think it’s nice you’re friends with your ex.”

“Hannah’s good people. Besides, I think I’m just acquaintances with my ex,” Graham told her, eyes sparkling in amusement. “I may have lost actual friend status the third time we broke up.”

“Was that recently?”

“About a year ago, give or take a few months.”

Zoey nodded, unsure of what to say.

“You know how some things seem like a good idea when you’re tired or lonely or you had a bad day? I’m Hannah’s too much whiskey, didn’t get the raise, current boyfriend and she broke up call. By the next morning, everyone involved remembers it’s a bad idea.”

“Do you pick up?”

Amused eyes gazed down at her. “Depends on how good an idea it seems at the time.”

His statement hung between them for a moment, leaving Zoey feeling awkward and oddly unhappy. Then Graham shrugged. “Hannah’s great, but we’ve never been in sync. Even when we were together, I wasn’t what she really wanted. Opposites attract, but some people have forward momentum, and some prefer their lives to be in a holding pattern.”