Page 29 of Here With Me (Paloma's Edge 2)

“Now I know you weren’t kidding,” I said as I put the stove back on—and I saw Mariska mopping, when I casted a brief glance.

Beth shook her head and went into the closet in the hallway that led between the bathroom, washroom, and the other room that I used for storage. When she returned to the kitchen, she gave Mariska the bucket and took a seat at the table.

“It smells great in here,” Beth said. “I was just going to have an orange and make Mariska some coffee on our way out.”

As if understanding that her time with Beth and Mariska would be cut short, Riley made a sound and went underneath the kitchen table and positioned herself on top of Beth’s feet. I could hear Mariska collecting the broken pieces of the mug.

“Nah, you guys have a long day ahead of you,” I said, changing the subject. “I was asking Mariska when you have your first classes, but”—I cocked my head in the direction of the mess she was cleaning up, and I was almost certain that she’d sent me a glare.

“I have my first class at ten, so I am okay, but Mariska, you have your first

at nine.” She looked at the floor that Mariska was still mopping. “The floor’s clear.”

Mariska sat back down at the table and devoured her pancakes without a word. I boiled more water in the teakettle and made Mariska another cup of her instant coffee, and I heard her murmur thank you. Shortly afterward, I grabbed my textbooks and notebooks, leaving with them to go to campus.

***

CHASE WAS IN THE café with his best friend, Pierce, when I went inside for a strong cup of brewed black coffee and some cream, after my Contemporary Moral Issues class. I sat down with them.

“What’s up, guys?” I said to them and gulped some coffee.

“Damn, Hunter. You look like shit. Rough night?” Chase asked.

“Yeah. Beth and Mariska fell asleep with Riley, and when I got back home from work I slept on the floor. And, of course, Dr. Hager wouldn’t give me a pass this morning. I am forever speaking up in her class and I was just waiting for this coffee.” I lifted the cup and took a sip of the scalding goodness. “I’ve got Mastrangelo next.”

Pierce inclined his head to me. “You’ll need a second cup of coffee, then.”

“Are you alright? I’ve barely seen you this semester. Are you going to be working on the hotel today? I asked Pierce.

“Nah. I am going to my classes and then getting some sleep. Dad should be at the site of The Paloma 2 as we speak.”

“When did you and he decide on the name?” Chase asked and dipped his fries in ketchup. This summer, Chase had stayed with Pierce’s family and had worked at The Paloma Hotel. He had to move out when Pierce’s older sister, Cassidy had made it look like she and Chase had been fooling around, when, in actuality, she’d been making unwanted advances toward him. Pierce’s Dad, Mr. Pruitt, found out that Chase hadn’t disrespected his rules by pursuing his daughter. However, Mr. Pruitt has not apologized to my brother for kicking him out of his house and basically firing him.

“We had a meeting this weekend when I was in Paloma’s Edge and Dad made that announcement.”

I downed the rest of my coffee and flicked my eyes at Chase. “Were there any other important announcements?” I asked.

“It’s not official yet, but Claude will moving back to Bermuda with his family come Christmas time.”

Chase didn’t try to hide the shock from his face. “Why? Hasn’t he been with your Dad from the beginning?”

“He didn’t become a part of The Paloma until…like fifteen years ago. Claude has told me over the years that he wanted to go back home, and he’s got another job as a Hotel Manager there.”

Chase pushed his chair back a little and crossed his arms. “Who will be the manager for The Paloma, and the Paloma 2?”

“Dad and Mom are going to do it. I’ll also take on some shifts when I can, but I want to buckle down for my last semester.”

“Are you going to work at the Paloma when you graduate?”

“Yeah,” Pierce lifted his chin. “My Dad and I haven’t gotten into it, but whichever hotel I work in, we can’t be around each other all the time, or we’ll argue about the stupidest things.”

Chase tapped him on the shoulder and I saw Scott raise his head to us as he came inside.

“Hey guys,” Scott said as he placed his tray of food on the table and took a seat next to Pierce.

“Are you packed to leave first thing tomorrow morning?” Chase asked with a laugh.

“No. Coach really laid into all of us this morning.” He sighed. “I don’t think I am going to be taking Mariska out tonight.”

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