Page 42 of My Ex for Christmas
My eyes narrow. “So you’re not mad?”
This causes him to full-on laugh. “Not at all. If this is what you want, the job is yours. I can think of no one better to entrust this resort to.”
“You’re sure? Because I had a whole pitch planned.”
Amusement dances in his eyes. “I am very sure. Save yourpitch. Working with you these past five years has given me every opportunity to see how driven and organized you are.”
All the weight that has been sitting on my shoulders since yesterday is gone, relief sweeping through my body.I did it.
“I’m going to miss working for you,” I admit. “But I think I’m ready to come home.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re true. I thought going back to Pineridge on Christmas would have had me itching to book a flight to Brazil, but the only thing I felt was a sense of longing I’d never experienced before.
Not for the place necessarily, but the people I left behind there.
Thiago nods. “Then it’s settled.” He holds his palm out to me, and I return his handshake easily. “Congratulations on your new position.”
I grin. “Thank you.”
We talk for a few more minutes, going over some of the logistics. It will be a bit of a transition, but we can manage. When Thiago gets called away, I sit down in the chair at my desk and take a deep breath.
My first instinct is to find Brooks and tell him everything. But we both have to work today, and I want to be able to celebrate properly without being distracted.
My second instinct is to tell my sister, so I pull out my phone and call her. It takes me half a second to realize she’s probably at work, too, but she answers before I can hang up.
“Hey,” I say, “I just wanted to call to?—”
“To say that I was right andyou got the job!”
I grin. “I got the job.”
“Damn right you did!” Sam shouts. “I knew you could do it. Now I have to go because my boss is glaring at me, but I’m so proud and I can’t wait to hug you and I love you the most. Bye!”
She hangs up before I can respond.
Still smiling, I open my texts and send one to Brooks.
Change of plans. Wanna come see the winter carnival with me tonight?
Brooks
I’d go anywhere with you. See you tonight.
I tuck my phone away, and with a full heart, I get back to work.
CHAPTER 16
BROOKS
The resort looks beautiful tonight.
Really, it’s pretty every night, but now that it’s all decked out for the grand opening winter festival, it’s on a whole other level. It rivals some of those pictures Hadley has saved in her Pinterest board.
I know she was worried about how this would all come together after Sheila and the others quit a month ago. It’s not easy planning to host an event like this when you’re trying to keep the place afloat. But between Hadley and the events manager, it seems like everything is going off without a hitch. I’m not surprised, but I’m glad that Hadley will be able to witness the fruits of their labour.
Guests and townsfolk alike have been taking advantage of the post-Christmas festivities, and the place is packed. I’ve been trying to find Hadley for the past half hour. I texted her a while ago, but she hasn’t responded yet.
“Brooks!”
