Worth the Fall (Sugar Mountain #1)

POSITION ACCEPTED

brOOKLYN

I was insane. Certifiably not thinking clearly. It was the only reason why I would have accepted the job on the spot the way I just had. Thomas and I shook hands, and then I was in my car, heading to my job at Kleinfeld’s, where I was about to give my two weeks’ notice.

Thomas O’Grady was as infuriating as he was hot. Which was saying a lot because that man could set fire to an igloo. And as much as I wanted to despise him for all the verbal jousting we’d done, it kind of thrilled me. It was the most excitement I’d had in my life in months. And that fact was embarrassing all on its own.

I refused to read into the personal questions he’d asked me and the way that he’d taken my side when I answered. It was all too overwhelming to even think about, so I shoved it somewhere deep down inside of me, where I could obsess over it later.

Putting my car in park, I shut the engine off and sucked in a steadying breath before heading through the glass doors of Kleinfeld’s office. I didn’t have specific office hours, but I still felt late and knew that I’d be judged for it. I rarely came in after ten, unless I had an appointment off-site somewhere. My boss, Felicia, would know that nothing was on my calendar for this morning since she had access to it.

“Brooklyn,” she said as I entered, glancing at the watch on her wrist.

“I know. I’m sorry. Do you have a second to talk?” I said, hoping my voice wasn’t coming out as shaky as my knees currently were.

Why is quitting a job so damn terrifying?

She gave me a questioning look before waving a hand toward her office. I entered first, sitting across from her pristine white desk. It was a stark contrast to the one I’d just been sitting in front of only a few minutes earlier. When Felicia sat down facing me, neither one of us said anything.

“Well, out with it,” she insisted.

I sucked in another quick breath and crossed one leg over the other. “I got a job offer that I couldn’t turn down, and I’d like to give you my two weeks. I know I have a few events on the books, but I promise that I’ll get all the details squared away and handed off without a hitch. I won’t leave you high and dry.” I started to overexplain and offer more of myself than I knew I was required to give, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Felicia had never mistreated me, and before this morning, I really had enjoyed working here even if I wasn’t one hundred percent fulfilled.

Now, all I could think about was starting in my new position. And seeing Thomas every day. Even with his crotchety attitude, just looking at him would be a perk.

“Where’s the job?”

“Sugar Mountain Resort,” I practically whispered. It wasn’t as if I could keep where I moved on to a secret. Especially since I knew our paths would eventually cross.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “I didn’t realize they were hiring. Are you working with Sierra?”

“She’s leaving actually. I’ll be taking her position.”

“Wow,” she said, and I wasn’t sure if she was upset or not. “Can’t say I’m not sorry to see you go, Brooklyn. You’re an asset here, but I completely understand.”

“You do?” Relief coursed through my body, finally settling my nerves as I leaned back into the cushioning of the chair.

“If I were in your position, there’s no way I’d turn down that job either. And I’m a little excited to know that you’ll be the contact for events there. Especially when that barn opens.”

“Does everyone know about the barn?” I said out loud even though I’d meant to just think it in my head.

“It’s a big deal,” she said. “And listen, your upcoming fall events here are pretty easy to take over. Don’t worry about the two weeks.”

I shifted again in the seat, a little uncomfortable. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll cut you your last check, and you can pack up your desk. Start at the resort tomorrow if they’ll have you,” she said with a smile that looked genuinely sincere.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I knew I couldn’t keep you here forever. I could see that you were getting bored even if you wouldn’t admit it. The summer season is officially over. Everything else seems like a breeze in comparison.”

To say that I was surprised by the way Felicia had taken the news would be an understatement. It wasn’t that I’d expected her to be angry with me, but I hadn’t anticipated her being so agreeable and understanding. I definitely hadn’t seen her letting me leave right away. I’d figured I’d have to plug along for the next two weeks, doing things I suddenly had no interest in doing anymore while I dreamed about what was to come.

“Thank you, Felicia. For everything. You’ve been a great mentor and boss. I really respect everything you’ve built and accomplished here.” I stood up and reached across to shake her hand, which she took with fervor.

“Well, you’ve been a brilliant event planner. I wish you nothing but the best in your next endeavor. And, hey, you get to hang out with those O’Grady men all day long. That’s not a bad bonus to any job.” She pursed her lips, and I couldn’t fight the grin from appearing.

“Not you too,” I teased, shaking my head.

Everyone in this town seemed to have a crush on at least one of those men.

“Honey, I have eyes.”

“Sometimes, I wish I didn’t,” I said, but it was weak, and we both knew I was lying.

“Try not to get pregnant,” she warned, and I started coughing.

“Pretty sure that’s not in the job description.”

We both laughed. It was all we could do as we walked out of her office together before I headed toward my cubicle to pack up my belongings. In under an hour, I’d have all of my things in a single box and my last paycheck in my hand.

I had a feeling that this called for another celebration, but Thomas might fire me on the spot if I let the sweet bartender, Bella, be in charge of it again.

I drove straight to Sugared, the day spa and salon on Main Street, where my best friend worked, crossing my fingers that I’d be able to find a parking spot at this time of day. When I found one in front of the defunct restaurant next door, I figured it really was my lucky day. Slamming my car door closed, I peered through the window of the out-of-business space, expecting to see nothing but emptiness and a For Rent sign with a contact number somewhere.

But there was no sign, and all the kitchen equipment and tables were still set up inside. It was almost like they were waiting for someone to open the doors and let people back in. It was weird. I’d obviously seen businesses close before, but no one typically left all their things when it did. They usually sold off every single item piece by piece, attempting to recoup at least some of their losses before shuttering completely.

Maybe the owner hadn’t needed the extra cash? He was apparently some rich out-of-towner who had swept into Sugar Mountain and opened up a quite literal five-star restaurant, assuming that it was something our town could sustain outside of the tourist season.

News flash, buddy: it wasn’t.

We weren’t the kind of place that needed that level of extravagance. And the man would have known that if he’d done even a lick of research. No nonlocal was going to make it in Sugar Mountain if they didn’t understand how we lived.

Shrugging to myself, I walked over to Sugared and pulled open the door and stepped inside. The place always smelled amazing, and I took a deep inhale to take it all in as I searched for my best friend.

Lana did a double take as she washed someone’s hair all the way in the back of the first room. “Is that my single best friend standing in the doorway?” she shouted, and everyone turned to look in my direction.

“Why are you always so embarrassing?” I asked as I made my way toward her, narrowly avoiding colliding with the girl sweeping.

“It’s part of my charm.” She grinned as her fingers worked up a lather of suds as big as the hair she was washing. “You going to tell me what’s up, or do I have to guess?”

I looked around at the bustling day spa and salon. Everyone was busy, running around and not really paying us any attention. The only two people who were even sitting still were at the reception desk, but they were answering phones that never seemed to stop ringing.

“I quit my job,” I whispered, but it was pointless because Lana repeated my statement in a shout, and I covered my head with my hand.

“What? Why? Why would you quit? Oh my gosh, you’re moving out of Sugar Mountain and leaving me, aren’t you? I always knew this day would come. You’ve probably already packed your things, and you’re moving to your parents’ house in Florida. Florida’s really far, Brooky. Have you thought this through? It’s all the way on the other side of the country. I’ll never see you. Even though I guess it seems like an okay place. Really hot though. And lots of old people.”

She patted the woman’s head she was scrubbing. “No offense, Rose.”

“None taken,” Rose said in a cheery voice. “Florida does have a lot of old people. At least, that’s what the news always says. And they’re always giving each other cooter diseases. Did you hear that too?”

“I have heard that, Rose.” I started laughing. “And I’m not moving to Florida, weirdo. Just because my parents retired there doesn’t mean I want to,” I said to my best friend before she could continue her completely unwarranted rant.

Lana was nothing if not an absolute lunatic. “Then, why in the world would you quit your job? Are you having a breakdown? Do I need to call someone? Rose, who do you call when your best friend starts losing her mind?”

Before Rose could respond, I said, “I’m not having a breakdown.” I glanced around the room once more, not wanting to be overheard, even though I had no idea why. Everyone would know soon enough. “I got another job.”

Lana’s face scrunched up in confusion. “First, you ditch your husband. Then, you ditch your job. What’s next? Me? I’m irreplaceable, just so you know. Don’t you think, Rose?”

“Oh, absolutely, dear. There’s no one quite like you,” the elderly woman said with a smile.

“Did you hear that, Brooky? There’s no one like me,” Lana reiterated.

“Trust me, I know.” I shook my head and tried to fight the grin that spread across my face as I looked between the two of them, wondering how the conversation had turned to if my best friend was replaceable or not when I just wanted to tell her this unbelievable news.

“So, where is this new job that I didn’t even know you were looking for, but took anyway without even running it by me?”

“Sugar. Mountain. Resort.” I stomped my foot with each word to emphasize my excitement, and she dropped her hands out of Rose’s head at the same time her mouth popped open.

“What? The resort where dreams are made and hope lives? The place where the world’s hottest brothers work? You got a freaking job there? Holy shit, Brooky. How?”

“Oh, that’s a nice place. And that Grant O’Grady has always been such a looker,” Rose added as her eyes took on a sort of nostalgic gleam.

“Daddy O’Grady is definitely a hottie,” Lana agreed.

“Please don’t ever say that again.” I tried to sound weirded out, but it was weak. As much as I wanted to disagree with them both, the elder O’Grady was definitely a stunner.

“It’s not my fault he’s handsome and helped create three of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen. Too bad they’ve all got issues,” Lana added in her nonchalant way, and my hackles instantly rose.

For some reason, I didn’t like hearing her say that about them. Even if there was a nugget of truth to her statement, it hit me the wrong way.

“Don’t say that. You don’t even know them.”

She propped out her hip and pinned me with a glare. “And you do?”

“Well, no.”

“Not yet anyway.” She made a kissing face and pretended to be making out with someone. “ Oh, Thomas, you’re such a good dad. Let’s give your daughter a baby brother. ”

I swatted her shoulder. “Would you be quiet? What is wrong with you?” I chastised, wondering why she’d picked Thomas when she could have said any of the other two brothers’ names.

She just shrugged and laughed. “You’re the one who molested the guy when you were drunk the other day, not me.”

Ah. That was why she said Thomas and not Patrick or Matthew.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Lana pointed a finger at me. “I would have done the exact same thing. Probably worse.”

“Definitely worse,” I agreed with a grin.

“I would have molested him, too, and then played dumb. Oops, was that your goody bag? Did I grab it again? My bad. It just keeps getting in the way ,” Rose said, and we all started laughing.

“This is why Rose is my favorite,” Lana said before rinsing out all of the bubbles she’d created. “Rose, I want to be you when I grow up.”

“I think you already are,” I added, and Lana threw up a hand to high five me.

“What if you two start dating and fall in love? Can you imagine? My best friend would be Sugar Mountain royalty.” Lana continued spouting off whatever fairy tale was growing roots in her head.

“I’m not dating Thomas,” I practically hissed.

“I know; I know. You’re not ready to date anyone. You just got divorced. Blah, blah.” Lana waved me off like I was being ridiculous.

Dating honestly hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’d been so focused on my career, determined to love the one thing that I could pretend loved me back. The more I worked, the more my job gave me in return. Unlike my marriage, which had seemed to do the exact opposite.

I knew a couple of people who’d had every dating app downloaded onto their phones before their divorces were even final. And while I didn’t judge them for it, it didn’t feel like something I was ready to dive into. The last thing I wanted was another guy who didn’t understand my desire to be successful. Why was it so hard to find a supportive partner? And how had I chosen the wrong man for me so easily without even seeing it?

“Maybe you two could just boink each other’s brains out,” Rose said pointedly, breaking me out of my internal thoughts. “What? Sometimes, all you need is a good boink-fest.”

“Boink.” Lana repeated the word while cracking up, and it made me laugh. “So, what’s next? When do you start? And do you have to move out of the resort if you’re working there? I told you that you can stay with us. That offer still stands.”

When I’d first left Eli, Lana had all but insisted that I move in with her and her husband, but their place was tiny, and the idea of not having any privacy, while invading theirs, wasn’t all that appealing. Plus, they were still over the top in love and showed it every chance they got. While I envied their relationship in many ways, I hadn’t had the heart to be around it at the time.

“I don’t know if I have to leave or not. I probably should though, don’t you think? Thank you for the offer to stay. You’re the best—you know that?”

“I do. And I’m glad you do as well.” She curtsied.

“All right, well”—I brushed my hands down the sides of my hips—“I’m going to swing by the resort, fill out some new-hire paperwork, and let them know that I can start tomorrow. Felicia gave me the okay to leave right away.”

“That was really considerate of her.” Lana sounded surprised. “I’m shocked.”

“I know. I was too. She was really gracious about the whole thing.”

“Do you think you’ll move in with us? Sven would love it. Sister wives!” She wagged her eyebrows, and I rolled my eyes.

Sven had come out to Sugar Mountain one summer, had what Lana and I both thought was only going to be a brief fling, and then basically never left. That was the CliffsNotes version, of course. There was a bunch of long-distance and drama in between, but Sven had fallen in love with Lana at first sight and refused to let her go.

They fought for each other, not with or against each other. Sven and Lana were a team. And I wanted that so badly for myself. But it felt impossible. Did guys like Sven even exist in Sugar Mountain? I wasn’t so sure anymore.

“I think I’ll try to find a place to rent first. But tell our husband I said thank you.”

Rose cleared her throat. “My son and daughter-in-law have a condo in The Falls that they do that air rental thing with. I can ask if they’d rent it out to you instead?”

“Really?” I asked around my shock.

The Falls was one of the most coveted condo communities in town. It was gated, walking distance to the ski lifts, and never had availability. At least not long-term. Like Rose had mentioned, most of the units were investment properties that were rented out.

“Of course, dear. You’re Lana’s best friend, and as long as you don’t plan on replacing her anytime soon, I don’t see why not.”

I grinned around the surprise still coursing within me. I had only met Rose about ten minutes prior to her making me this offer. You see, Sugar Mountain could feel like a small town in a lot of ways, but in reality, it wasn’t. I didn’t know everyone who lived here even though it seemed that way. The population was far greater than you’d think with people and businesses spread all over the city limits. News did have a way of traveling fast, but that didn’t mean you always knew exactly who the news was about. At least not personally. Sometimes not at all. Didn’t stop it from spreading anyway.

“Not planning on replacing her anytime soon. Unless it’s with you, Rose.”

Rose waved me off. “Oh, please. I’m too old to be your new bestie. Isn’t that what you kids say? Plus, if I have to listen to them complain one more time about the wear and tear on the place after each booking, I might be the one having a breakdown. Some family came in and ruined the carpets with snow and mud. They left the heater on high while it wasn’t being rented, and the bill was astronomical. Another family broke an entire set of dishes and didn’t say anything about it until the next family came in, and there was nothing for them to eat on. ” Rose’s voice took on a different timbre to let me know she was mimicking her son. “It’s always one thing or another. This would be the perfect solution.”

“It’s furnished?” I asked, completely forgetting that I didn’t have a single thing to my name, except for my car and clothes.

“Fully furnished. The place has everything. And I do mean, everything.”

“That’s actually really, really helpful.”

“She gave that idiot ex of hers all of her stuff,” Lana growled, and Rose nodded like she understood completely.

“It was easier that way,” I said, as if that explained everything.

I’d held on to my marriage so tight when I first felt it unraveling; gripping it so hard with both hands for no good reason other than what people might think or say. The obligation and guilt were suffocating. In the end, I’d realized that letting go was the only way that I could truly be saved. Because the truth was that I was losing myself in all that holding on.

“I’ll get your number from Lana, and I’ll call my son right after I finish here. Would that be okay?”

Would that be okay???

“That would be absolutely amazing, Rose. Sincerely. Thank you. I know they might not say yes, but just the fact that you’d ask means a lot to me. I really appreciate it.”

“Really cool of you, Rose,” Lana added before glancing at me. “You’ve had quite the day, Brooky.”

“No kidding,” I breathed out.

“I can’t believe you get to work at Sugar Mountain Resort and harass Thomas O’Grady every single day!” she practically shouted, and I shushed her.

“I’m not going to harass him.”

“Fine. Just ogle him then.”

“Definitely going to do that.” I decided not to disagree because I would most assuredly be ogling that man every chance I got.

I might not be ready to move on to someone new, but looking never hurt anyone. And Thomas O’Grady was a fine man to look at, even when he was being a sourpuss.

“It’s going to be a good year, Brook.” Lana pulled me in for a hug and squeezed me tight.

“It’s going to be a good year,” I repeated before pulling away.

My intuition was definitely on the fritz because I hadn’t sensed a single one of these changes heading my way. Every one had caught me completely off guard. Within twenty-four hours, I had gotten a new job and potentially a new home to live in.

I guessed life had a way of coming together after you stopped holding on so tight.