Jasper Vale (The Edens #4)(89)

“The hotel.”

My parents shared a look. Dad’s grin faded as he leaned his forearms on the table. It was the serious posture he’d assume whenever he had bad news. “It’s been a hard summer.”

I nodded. “Yes, it has been.”

“Your mother and I would understand if you wanted to try something different. If you wanted to leave the hotel.”

After the shooting, I’d considered it. Especially those first few days back at work when I’d hated every second, forcing smiles and pretending like the world was only sunshine and rainbows. When I’d had to stare at the spot where a kid had died.

The kid who would have murdered me because I’d fired him from a part-time job.

The Eloise was . . . mine. Good and bad, this hotel was still my dream. And I wouldn’t let anyone steal that from me.

“I want the hotel.” I squared my shoulders, sitting taller. Beneath the table, Jasper’s hand squeezed my thigh. “I understand why you weren’t ready to give it to me a few years ago, but a lot has changed. We’re flourishing. I’ve proved myself time and time again. It’s time to take the next step. If you’re not ready for that or if you’ve changed your mind about giving it to me, then I’m going to step down as manager. Effective immediately.”

Mom and Dad sat back, both a little surprised. Even I was a little surprised. I couldn’t remember a time in recent years when I’d demanded anything from my parents. Certainly not a hotel.

But I’d spent the past few weeks thinking a lot about this situation. About my family. Mom and Dad hadn’t made Griffin or Knox jump through hoop after hoop to inherit their businesses. So I was done jumping to earn mine.

It would break my heart if they said no. But if that was their decision, I had a husband who’d help me glue the pieces together.

Dad relaxed, then grinned at Jasper.

Mom shifted, pulling out a folder from her purse. Then she unfolded the top flap, pulling out a stack of crisp, white papers. She smiled as she slid them across the table. “We’ve had these drawn up for a while, but with the shooting, we wanted to give you time.”

Wait. This was it? Already? I’d planned for this to get awkward and uncomfortable. Not to just . . . get a hotel.

“Read through the document,” Dad said. “Let us know if you have any questions. Our lawyer drafted it up, similar to how we transferred the ranch to Griffin. But if you want to hire your own attorney to review it, that will be fine. If you’re good with everything, we’ve already signed it. You just need to sign it too.”

I turned to Jasper.

He was smiling.

“You knew.”

“Yeah.”

Mom and Dad slid out of the booth. “We’ll leave you two alone to talk.”

“What about lunch?” I asked.

Mom took Dad’s hand. “We’ll go bug Knox in the kitchen.”

“We’re proud of you,” Dad said before they walked away.

“Did that just happen?” I whispered to Jasper.

“Yeah, angel.”

“I didn’t expect it today.” I looked at the papers. I skimmed the top sheet with a fingertip. Maybe part of me hadn’t expected it at all. “What if I fail?”

“You won’t.” His confidence was unwavering.

“What if I do?”

His hand cupped my cheek, forcing my gaze to his. “Do you think I’d let you fail?”

“No.” I leaned into his touch.

From the moment we’d started this adventure, standing beside that fountain, he’d been by my side. The ups and downs. The good and bad.

Husband and wife.

“I own a hotel.”

He chuckled. “You own a hotel.”

“Oh my God, I own a hotel. My hotel.”

Jasper tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Dream come true?”

Only because he was here. “And then some.”





EPILOGUE





ELOISE





One month later . . .

“I’m staging an intervention.”

“Huh?” Lyla asked from across the counter at Eden Coffee.

“I’m kicking you out.”

She blinked.

“Of here. Right now. You have to leave.”

Lyla studied my face, then looked to Jasper at my side. “Is she drunk?”

“I’m staying out of this. Good luck, Lyla.” He bent to kiss my hair, then walked to a table against the wall, taking a seat.

Jasper didn’t approve of this idea I’d concocted at breakfast. Mostly because it was supposed to be our day off, and instead of being at the coffee shop, he wanted to spend it celebrating.

But he’d let me drag him downtown anyway. Probably because he knew that I was still coming to terms with everything that had happened last night.

After missing my period, I’d taken a pregnancy test after dinner. He’d almost cried when I’d handed him that positive stick. Or maybe I’d just imagined the sheen of tears in his eyes. I couldn’t exactly be sure. I’d been a hot mess, bouncing between panicked hysterics and joyous laughter, crying enough for us both.

I was still utterly freaked. Neither Jasper nor I had planned on this, and my birth control’s epic failure had instantly changed our plans. The idea of motherhood—when I’d just taken over the hotel, when Jasper and I had finally settled into our marriage—was terrifying. Exciting.