“I would love that.”
“Great. Well, I better get back to work. It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.”
I continued my venture past the vines, over to the barn that was done and ready to use for the tastings, and back over to the other side of the hotel where there was a small lake and another area that would be perfect for weddings.
I spotted Levi tossing a ball to a dog.
“Who do we have here?” I asked.
“This is Silver. He’s a resident dog.”
“Hi, Silver. You’re such a cutie.” I ran my hand over his smooth black hair as he continuously wagged his tail, happily accepting my affection on him.
“How about me? Am I a cutie?” Levi asked.
I refused to answer that question and shook my head at him as I walked away. It was getting dark out so I headed back to my room to unpack my things.
Once everything had a place, I took my phone to text Aubrey. Can we facetime? I asked.
Yes.
We connected through facetime and I was laying on my stomach on my new bed. “Hey girl.”
“Hi.”
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going good. I’m all settled in ready to start tomorrow.”
“That’s great. How do you like Levi?”
“He’s something else.”
“Hi, Rylee,” Chance popped into our video chat.
“Hey, Chance. Treating my girl good?”
“Always.”
I watched as he took Pixy, their pet goat, outside for a walk. “By the way, I had a one-night-stand with Levi before I knew who he was.”
Aubrey choked on a drink and then laughed her ass off. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. When I stopped in Las Vegas, we met at a bar. We didn’t exchange names or numbers or anything. It was supposed to be a one-time thing. But then I ran into him at the convenience store the next morning.”
“That would be your luck, Ry.”
“I know, right.”
“We should have you and Levi over for dinner one night since you’re settled in and everything.”
“Yeah, that would be great. Text me when. He and I can ride together.”
Aubrey smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.
“He’s hot but I’m practically twelve years older than him. Isn’t that weird?”
“No. I say go for it.” She looked over her shoulder to make sure Chance wasn’t within earshot. “Listen, he’s younger and he’d be able to keep up with you, you know what I’m saying. He can take care of you. He really is sweet.”
“I think I’d have to keep up with him.”
We both laughed.
“Maybe. I think it would be fun to have a younger guy. Although I would never trade Chance for anything. But it might help you get back in the field.”
Her body movements were cracking me up. She was grinding her hips and making kiss faces.
“In all seriousness, we are both in the same state now, so we need to hang out more.”
“Absolutely. I’m so glad I know people here.”
“I’ll text you later to plan a dinner.”
“Okay. I’ll bring the wine.”
“Talk to you later.”
“Later, girl.”
I really liked Aubrey and Chance. Those two were ‘couple goals’. I laid back in my bed, looking up to the ceiling, thinking about my day ahead.
“So, you do like me.” Levi stood in the doorway and must have heard everything since I had my room door open.
“Levi!” I threw my pillow at him.
This guy was gonna be the death of me.
In retaliation, he threw the pillow and it landed right on my head before he ran off.
Moving off the bed, I shut my door and got ready to get a good night’s rest.
Chapter Five
RYLEE
Today was the start of my first project. I was tackling the lobby. My hair was up in a messy bun, and I had on cutoff shorts and a purple tee shirt. A shipment of the stuff I ordered had arrived. And anything else I could go into town to shop for it if it was not already there. I made some orders before I even traveled here so stuff would be here by the time I arrived.
I commissioned four paintings from a local kid. This particular technique was called Pour Painting. It’s a gorgeous painting technique. And I thought it would be perfect for the area. I knew I’d probably get some more work from him later. He was thrilled when I told him what it was for. He was sixteen years old and had been painting for a few years already.
“Good morning, Cupcake.”
I couldn’t quite be mad at him for calling me cupcake because he was handing me a coffee first thing in the morning.
I took a sip. “How do you know how I like it?” I eyed him suspiciously.
“Lucky guess. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
Once I knew he was gone, I smiled wide. He was definitely a man after my heart. How did he know how I liked my coffee, though? I love it with a couple sugars and a splash of cream. It was the perfect caramel color that I went for.
After finishing my coffee, I fixed up the seating area with some furniture and throw pillows, hung up a few more pictures and paintings throughout the area, added some accent tables, and painted a wall red while the other walls remained cream colored. It was nearing six in the evening when I finally stopped for the day. Now when guests came in to the hotel, it would be inviting. I was very happy with how it turned out.
“This looks amazing,” Sheryl said when I was finishing up.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I can’t wait to see your other projects. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I headed to my room to get cleaned and changed into a knee length sundress and put
