Page 33 of Sleeping with the Frenemy

Victoria

Eighteen months later…

* * *

The shovel was a lot heavier than it looked.

The August sun shined bright overhead, its warmth seeping through my dress.

But not even blistering temperatures could warm me as much as the man at my side.

Chase grinned at me as he hefted his own shovel. “What’s wrong, Vicky? Too heavy?”

“Not at all.” Suppressing a grunt, I lifted mine and gave him a sweet smile. “Definitely light enough to knock you in the head with should the need arise.”

His green eyes twinkled, and he murmured, “You’re so sexy when you’re angry.”

“Okay!” the photographer called. “Everyone look at the camera! Shovels ready? Now!”

On cue, Chase and I dipped our shovels into the thick line of soil piled in front of us. We were breaking ground on a new set of cabins being built at the Virginville Motor Lodge—something that seemed like a dream to me.

I still had to pinch myself to believe the restored cabins were a reality. Not only that, people actually wanted to stay in them.

The photographer snapped photos for what felt like forever. Just when my jaw started to ache from holding my smile, he lowered the camera and flashed a thumbs up. “Got it!”

Chase straightened and thrust his shovel into the ground. Then he took mine and gave it the same treatment, sinking it so deep the handle vibrated.

I folded my arms. “Impressive.”

“You think so?” He leaned close. “Your sister has the baby for another hour. What do you say we inspect Cabin Fourteen? And by inspect I mean fuck like a couple of horny teenagers.”

“I hate to ruin your plans, Romeo, but Fourteen is booked. All of the cabins are booked this weekend.”

“So? It might be fun having an audience. We could charge extra.”

My lips twitched. “You have no shame.”

“Not when it comes to you. You’re right about that.”

The photographer strode toward us, his camera bag over his shoulder. “I have everything I need, Mr. Valenti. The story will run in every major newspaper in the state on Sunday.” He smiled at me. “Congratulations, Mrs. Valenti. The cabins are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I said, pride rising in my chest. He was right, I thought, running my gaze over the refurbished buildings as he walked away. The cabins really did look incredible. I credited the restoration with making Nana come around to the idea of me marrying Chase. Once she saw the finished product, she declared Chase an honorary Parker, and now he could do no wrong in her eyes.

Naturally, he took advantage of his newfound status at every opportunity. He even volunteered to spend Saturdays at Nana’s retirement community. Once a week, he took her a case of cold beer, and they sat around cheating each other at cards and dreaming up new schemes to drive Katherine and me crazy.

In fact, it was their idea to make the lodge part of the Valenti Hotel in Virginville. At first, I couldn’t believe Nana agreed to such a thing. But when she and Chase laid out their plan, I had to admit it made a lot of sense from a marketing perspective.

Now, the cabins at the lodge served mainly as long-term rentals. They were popular among newlyweds, as well as families that needed more space and amenities than the Valenti could offer. Since we opened our doors a little less than a year ago, we rarely had a vacancy. Seeing the lodge bustling with activity was one of my top two proudest achievements.

The other was napping with my sister back at the hotel.

I turned to Chase. “We should probably relieve Katherine. She’s had the baby all morning.”

He chuckled. “Victoria, your sister literally put a crib in her studio apartment so she can babysit. He’s just fine. She carries him around so much, I’m worried he might never learn to walk. That baby has an entourage of Parker women at his constant disposal.”

“I guess you’re right.”

He slid his arms around my waist, clearly unbothered that we stood in the middle of the lodge’s parking lot. “Of course I’m right. The kid has a great family.”

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