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“I know you are.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s talk to the store about cutting down your hours. Maybe twenty hours is too much when you’re in school and in season.”

  “Chris, we need that money.”

  “Not if it means your grades are dropping like this,” she replied.

  “I’ll just study more. I’ll stay up later or do my homework during lunch.”

  “Wes, you’re a teenager. I want you to be a teenager. Call the store tomorrow and ask if you can cut your hours down to fifteen. We’ll start there, okay? I know you love tennis and want a scholarship. I don’t want you to lose that. But something’s got to give.”

  “Fine.” He stood, grunted once, and headed off to his bedroom.

  She’d work more hours at Donoto’s if that was what it took, but she was seriously beginning to think about getting another job. She could be an admin somewhere, maybe, or even manage a restaurant. She wasn’t convinced managers made all that much more than servers, since servers made tips and usually kept the exact amount of those tips from the US government come tax season, but managers did get benefits, which would save them money paying for their own. She spent the rest of the night searching for jobs online. She applied for a few she knew she had no chance of getting, a couple she might be able to score an interview for, and then three more serving jobs she knew she’d get if she just showed up and told them about her experience. She closed it and went off to bed, wondering if she’d ever be able to get them to a point where they wouldn’t have to worry about money like this.

  ◆◆◆

  “Hey, Chris.” Paxton was putting gas into her car, standing on the other side of the pump from Chris.

  “Jesus, you scared me.” Chris hadn’t been prepared for someone to be at the gas station just on the other side of her.

  “Sorry,” Paxton said.

  “I just didn’t see you there.”

  “That’s a different car than I saw you in the other day,” Paxton said, nodding toward Wes’s car.

  “It’s my brother’s. He has mine today.” She felt about three feet tall seeing Paxton’s car on the other side, all shiny and new.

  “This is Adler’s. I’m borrowing it a lot this week.” The woman looked behind her toward the gas station. “I was going to head inside and grab a snack. Do you want anything?”

  “No, I’m okay.” Chris capped the gas tank.

  “Working today?”

  “Nope.”

  “Okay.” Paxton turned to head inside and turned back quickly. “I guess… Have a good day.”

  “You too,” Chris replied.

  “And I guess I’ll see you later tonight, at Kinsley and Riley’s?”

  “Kinsley and Riley’s?” Chris checked.

  “Their dinner party? I assumed–” Paxton smacked her forehead. “I’m an idiot. I assumed you’d been invited.”

  “I wasn’t. Thanks for letting me know that, though.”

  “Hey, everyone else gets a plus one because they’re all coupled off. Want to be mine? I’m going solo, obviously.”

  “No.” Chris walked around to the driver’s side of the car. “Have a good night, Paxton.”

  “Chris, come on. I’m the worst when it comes to you, for some reason. I promise, I’m not a bad person. Come with me tonight. I’m sure they meant to invite you or that Kinsley’s calling you later.”

  “I’m not really into dinner parties. I have plans, anyway,” Chris said, opening her door.

  “I’ll see you around then, maybe.”

  Chris climbed into her car. She looked out the window to see Paxton going inside the convenience store. Then, she turned the key in the ignition, praying it would start. When it did, she thanked every deity out there and sped out of the parking lot. She needed to get away from Paxton. This woman kept popping up at the most inopportune times. And she just reminded Chris that she was indeed on the outside looking in with women she considered to be her friends. Her phone rang just as she parked at the grocery store. She pulled it out and saw Adler’s name.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Chris. How are you?”

  “I’m okay. You?”

  “I’m good. Listen, Riley asked me to call you. She’s in court today. Kinsley’s showing a house, I guess. But they kind of threw together this last-minute dinner thing for tonight. It’s at their place. I’m sure you’re busy, but they only called me, like, twenty minutes ago. Riley asked me to ask you to come.”

  “To dinner?”

  “It’s going to be Morgan and me, obviously. Reese and Kellan will be there, along with Remy and Ryan. Pax will be there, too.”

  “So, all couples and your sister?” Chris asked.

  “She’s leaving in a couple of days. Kinsley and Riley wanted to do something nice with everyone before she goes. Can you make it?”

  She’d already told Paxton that she had plans, but Adler wasn’t someone Chris wanted to lie to. She’d always been nice to her.

  “I might be able to make it, yes. I’ll have to check.”

  “Sure. Okay. We’re all getting there at seven.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Hope to see you, then,” Adler said and hung up.

  She’d lied to Paxton. If she showed up, Paxton would know that. If she didn’t, she’d probably never get invited to something like this again. She had to decide what mattered most to her.

  CHAPTER 6

  Paxton wasn’t sure what to think. Chris had clearly lied to her earlier. She was currently sitting at the dinner table to Paxton’s immediate right. She’d either lied about knowing about the dinner party in the first place or lied about her plans. Either way, she’d lied, and Paxton didn’t really understand why. Sure, they’d gotten off to a rough start. She’d managed to bungle things every step of the way. But she didn’t think that meant Chris should lie to her about attending a dinner party with their friends.

  Chris had this dark brown hair that was swept back behind her ears tonight. Paxton had only ever seen it pulled up into a ponytail, which she guessed was due to Chris’s work in food service. Her eyes were a magnetic blue that went so well with the color of her just barely tan from the summer skin.

  “Pax?”

  “Huh?” She snapped to attention to the sound of her name.

  “You said you had something to tell us,” Adler replied.

  “Oh, I was thinking about doing that later, but okay.” Paxton sat up in her chair. She glanced at Chris next to her to see that she was paying attention to her now. “Kinsley and I share a profession, as you all know.”

  “That’s your reveal?” Adler teased.

  “My reveal is that I’m buying a hotel here in South Lake Tahoe, Adler. So, thanks for ruining it,” she replied but winked at her sister playfully.

  “You’re what?” Adler asked, leaning forward in her chair.

  “There’s this old bed and breakfast called ‘The Pine Tree Guest House.’ It’s about twenty minutes away from here. I bought it.” She paused. “Well, I’m buying it.”

  “You’re buying a bed and breakfast? Why?” Adler pressed.

  “Because I saw it from the road the other day, when we were driving, and I fell in love with it. Kinsley is the agent. She took me over to the property and walked me around. I want it, Adler. It’s beautiful. It’s also hideous and needs a lot of work. I want to tear it apart and put it back together.”

  “Do you want to flip it?” Adler asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe. I might not.”

  “Keep it? You’re going to be an innkeeper?”

  “I don’t know yet, Adler.” She leaned back in her chair. “Why do you sound irritated? I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I’m just confused. You’re a real estate agent.”

  “Agents buy and flip properties all the time,” Kinsley offered. “It’s easier for us to do it, because we know the ins and outs of the business and what properties are up for sale.”

  “But you’ve never done that
,” Adler addressed Paxton.

  “Not yet, no. But I’m going to start with this place. I put in an offer last night, and the seller accepted it this morning. I’m going to sign the paperwork at the end of the week. They want a fast close. I came in a little over asking, too.”

  “Over asking? Why would you do that?” Adler asked.

  “Adler, I’m the real estate agent. I know what I’m doing.”

  “How about we congratulate Paxton on this awesome thing she’s doing since it means she’s staying a little longer?” Morgan suggested. “Right, Pax?”

  “I’ll go back home to get more of my stuff, but, yes, I’m going to come back and stay until it’s up and running, or until I sell it if I decide to do that,” she answered.

  “Paxton, you–”

  “Addie,” Morgan said and placed her hand on Adler’s shoulder. “Later, okay?”

  “Well, this dinner party just got awkward. Sorry, guys. I didn’t think my sister would be a pain in my ass about something that means I’d be staying in town longer.” Paxton stood from the table. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. I’ll be back.”

  “Pax,” Adler said and stood.

  Paxton left the dining room and entered Kinsley and Riley’s living room, where Adler caught up with her.

  “What the hell was that?” she whispered.

  “Pax, I was just caught off guard. This is a big deal. You’re buying a freaking hotel in South Lake.”

  “Where you live, Adler,” Paxton countered.

  “But you don’t.”

  “So, you have a problem with me staying here longer, or possibly moving here if I actually like the place and want to stay?” Paxton asked.

  “Pax, it has nothing to do with you being here or not,” Adler said as she moved toward her. “It’s just a pretty sudden decision that has a huge impact. I want to make sure you think it through.”

  “Adler, I have the money. I can afford to buy it and rebuild from the ground up if I want to. You know I’m good with my money.”

  “It’s a hotel, Pax. You have never talked about buying or running a hotel in your life.”

  “I saw it and I knew, Adler. I don’t know how to describe it... I knew it was supposed to be mine.” She shrugged her left shoulder. “I had hoped you’d like the idea of me sticking around for a while.”

  “I do. I love that idea, Pax.” She sat on the sofa, encouraging Paxton to do the same by patting the space beside her. “I just want to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons. I haven’t been here all that long, but you and I have always lived in the same place. Does this have anything to do with me being here?”

  “It’s a plus, to be closer to my annoying sister, yes; but it’s not the only reason. Adler, I’m an adult. I’m a fully-functional one, actually. I might even have more money than you at this point in my career. I’m not great at vacations. I have enough saved up to take care of my retirement and all that. I saw the property, did the whole inspection thing, and I wanted it. I know what I’m doing here, Adler. Besides, you said it yourself: something’s been up with me recently.” Paxton sat down next to her sister.

  “And you said it was nothing.”

  “I’m kind of bored, honestly. I like work sometimes. I’ve just been doing it forever. I want to try something new. I didn’t know what it was, or if I’d actually do anything about it, but when I saw ‘The Pine Tree Guest House’ property, I knew I wanted it. I want to gut all the parts that need gutting myself. I’ll hire people for the tough stuff, but I can do a lot of it on my own. It has a restaurant that just needs to be brought up to code. It has a patio out back that overlooks the water. I think I can turn it into a profitable hotel, eventually. It only has ten rooms. It’s not too big to manage, and I can hire a consultant in hospitality to help me get going.”

  “It sounds like you’re not just thinking of flipping,” Adler commented, resting her head on her hand and her elbow on the back of the sofa.

  “I don’t know. I guess not. I don’t know if I want to manage the place, though. I think I’d hire someone if I decide to keep it. I recognize that I have zero experience in that area, but I do have experience running my own business and with property management.”

  “That’s true.”

  “And I can still be an agent until it’s up and running. I can go back and forth if I need to for a while, but I’d like to just find somewhere to rent around here so I have a place to stay where my sister isn’t having sex in the next room all the time.” She glared at Adler.

  “Hey! Morgan and I haven’t had sex since the night you told me you heard us.” Adler laughed. “Well, that’s not true… But you weren’t there when we did it.”

  “All the more reason for me to stay somewhere else. You guys just moved in together. You should be able to have sex whenever and wherever you want. That’s kind of one of the benefits of living with your girlfriend.”

  “How about this: I’ll reserve judgment until you actually get going on this project of yours. I am the big sister, though, Pax. It’s my job to look out for you. I’ve never been good at holding my tongue. You know that,” Adler said.

  “I do.” Paxton watched as Chris entered the living room. “Hey,” she greeted the woman.

  “They wanted me to let you know they’re taking dessert out back,” Chris said, hooking her thumb toward the backyard. “Sorry for interrupting.”

  “You didn’t,” Paxton replied. “And thanks.” She nodded at her and gave her a smile. “We’ll be right there.”

  Chris didn’t say anything else before leaving, but Paxton caught the woman glancing at her, and it spoke to her in the same yet different way that the hotel had spoken to her. Chris, without words, had somehow conveyed to Paxton that she had no idea what to make of her. Paxton understood, of course, because she had no idea what to make of Chris.

  “She’s single, you know… And gay,” Adler said.

  “She hates me,” Paxton replied.

  “What? Why?”

  “I’m sure she thinks I’m an asshole. I didn’t mean to be.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Stole her parking spot, prevented her from getting food, and got her in trouble with her boss.”

  “Paxton!”

  “Let’s go outside,” Paxton said through a laugh. “Maybe if I’m extra nice to her, I’ll earn some points or something.”

  “She’s an attractive woman, Pax. You’re staying here at least for a little while. Maybe you should–”

  “Shut up, Adler.” Paxton laughed as they made their way to the patio outside.

  “Welcome back, you two,” Reese said.

  “All good?” Kinsley asked.

  “Sort of. Adler’s going to give it a rest, but I still need to figure out how I’m going to build a hotel.”

  Paxton sat next to Chris on a patio chaise lounge because there was nowhere else to sit. Reese and Kellan were sitting in two chairs that overlooked the trees behind the house. Riley and Kinsley were in one of the other lounges. Riley was in Kinsley’s arms. It looked so sweet to Paxton. Morgan and Adler were actually standing. Adler had her arms wrapped around Morgan from behind. She winked at Paxton before she kissed Morgan’s neck. She looked so happy. Morgan smiled a smile that Adler couldn’t see, but it was one that told Paxton that she cared deeply for her big sister.

  “Chris just told us she’s looking for a second job or maybe even a new full-time job,” Kellan stated.

  “Oh, I’m not–”

  “You are?” Paxton turned to Chris, which brought them closer together.

  “I wait tables.”

  “The hotel has a restaurant,” Paxton said without thinking. “It needs work, but I could use someone who knows food service.”

  “She definitely knows food service,” Riley said. “They’ve offered her an Assistant Manager job a bunch of times. Plus, I know there are at least three other restaurants that have tried to snatch her up.”

  “It’s just because I’
ve been doing it for so long,” Chris told Riley. “I’m probably not who you’re looking for,” she said to Paxton.

  “Maybe Wes could help with the construction stuff,” Morgan suggested.

  “Wes?” Paxton asked.

  “Chris’s brother,” Adler added for Paxton’s benefit.

  “He’s too busy right now,” Chris replied. “In fact, I should probably be leaving so I can get home and check on him.”

  Paxton wanted to ask why she’d have to check on her brother, but she didn’t. When Chris stood, so did Paxton, for some reason. Everyone said their goodnights to Chris. As she walked into the house to head out toward her car, Paxton followed.

  “Hey, Chris?”

  “Yeah?” Chris turned back to her.

  “If you’re really considering another job, maybe we could talk.”

  “I don’t think I’d want to work for you, Paxton. No offense.”

  “You wouldn’t be working for me. You’d be working with me,” Paxton replied.

  “Somehow, I doubt that. Also, you don’t even know me.”

  Paxton held up both hands defensively and replied, “You’re right.”

  “I don’t need charity, Paxton.”

  “Charity? I didn’t–”

  “Let’s just be honest for a second, okay?”

  “Chris, I–”

  “Paxton, you don’t like me. And I don’t particularly like you. We’re not going to work together. I don’t even really fit in here. I don’t know why I came; except that I felt like if I didn’t, I wouldn’t get an invite next time. And as much as I love my kid brother, I need some adult company every now and then. Being around a group of lesbians is a plus, but I’m not someone who wants or needs handouts.”

  Chris walked out the front door, leaving Paxton standing in Kinsley and Riley’s living room, wondering what the hell had just happened.

  CHAPTER 7

  Chris had just managed to make a fool out of herself in front of Paxton. She’d only mentioned to the group that she was considering looking for another job because they all had something to talk about and she didn’t. She couldn’t exactly talk about how Wes’s grades were falling because he had to work to help keep them afloat. She didn’t want to bring up the fact that they’d likely have to put his car in the shop. She didn’t want to talk about how she’d been a waitress since she was twenty years old and had no college degree, unlike every single one of them.