Hell, I even cried and shrank away from her brother just a few minutes ago. Even if I found Lola, I knew I didn’t deserve her. I just hoped wherever she was, she was happy and protected.
I swallowed and nodded. “Yes. I’ll find your sister.”
Chapter 4
Lola
“I thought I was learning the cash register today?” I asked Marika, the owner of Hard Grind, as she pulled up in front of The Blue Spot.
It was my second day on the job, and I’d learned I had nothing to be worried about on my first day. Marika and the other barista, Susannah, were so helpful and kind—not to mention Susannah was extremely funny.
As for me, missing Jenni couldn’t be helped. Thankfully, I was busy at work and rarely had extra time to think about my little girl.
“Today is a special day. We’re meeting the vendor. He and his wife are here from Maine to go over orders for the next year. I let you come with me so you can see behind the scenes, so to speak.” She smiled as she pushed her red hair behind her ear before opening the car door.
I hopped out of the passenger side and took my notepad with me. There were a lot of little things to learn, and I found it best to write them down in case I needed to refer to something.
I had driven past the road that led to The Blue Spot a few times but never saw it up close. It was a gorgeous, old turn-of-the-twentieth-century building. Something left over from the end of the Gilded Age. Set on the side of the mountain and surrounded by trees and wildlife, it was ornate and over-the-top, but beautiful in its seclusion.
I was so distracted looking at all the surrounding beauty that I ran straight into someone. I shook my head and blurted out, “Sorry.”
“It’s alright.” His smooth voice sent a shiver down my back.
I blinked and realized who I had walked into. It was that tall man Jenner was with yesterday, who I saw walking out of Hard Grind. I shrank back, lowering my head, trying to hide my face.
“Not a problem.” When the light hit his teeth, I swear they twinkled.
I glanced up just in time to get the look I dreaded... that hint of recognition.
“Hey, you look familiar. Do I know you?”
“Hamish.” Marika came walking up behind me.
Thankfully, that distracted him as he turned toward my boss. I took that moment to slip away. I moved as silently as I could up the steps to the large wrap-around porch and straight through the entrance to The Blue Spot lobby. I let out a breath when I got inside.
But my relief was short-lived. As I was moving away from the door, still keeping an eye out to see if Hamish was following me, I ran into someone else.
Geez, I was having the worst time walking today.
“Excuse me, I just—” The words evaporated on my tongue as I stared straight into the chocolate eyes I had dreamed about for two years.
“Lola.” Jenner’s voice was a whisper.
“Jenner. I, uh... I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Which was stupid of me to say. The people who frequented this resort had money, and lots of it. While Jenner wasn’t a billionaire like my brother, he wasn’t struggling for money, either. He was a lawyer, and his clients were wealthy, so he could easily afford a room here.
“I was here, um...” He glanced around with fear in his eyes and grabbed my elbow.
Electricity shot up my arm, and warmth flooded me in places it shouldn’t—at least, not out in public.
He guided me toward the corner of the lobby where there was a tall plant, and he situated us behind it. I wore my warm woolen coat with a thick green scarf and matching hat today because of the freezing temperatures outside, but right now, all I wanted to do was rip everything off for fear I’d faint from the heat consuming my body as I stood close to Jenner.
I felt his breath flutter across my cheeks, and as hard as I tried, I couldn’t stop myself from shaking. It had been so long since I inhaled his scent—the one that always reminded me of being surrounded by a dense forest. When I would take Jenni out for walks on the mountain trail, I’d always be reminded of Jenner.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Those were the words I had longed to hear. I never wanted to leave Jenner, but I knew his position on having kids. He never wanted them. Not only that, but I feared my brother would discover where I was because of him. Not that Jenner would have told him; I wouldn’t have given him my heart if I thought Jenner wouldn’t protect me.