8. Roman

Somehow I've managed to work the check-in desk at the lodge this morning since Perry didn't show up.

Millie graciously supplied me with never-ending coffee and a plate of gingersnaps in the office. I fired up the now computerized check-in system and had it figured out pretty quickly. It also helps I used to work at the front desk of a hotel when I was in high school so it's not completely foreign to me.

But also, where the hell is Perry? This was his job today, and he didn't even call.

Sasha planned this entire package for anyone wanting to stay at the lodge in the spring and enjoy a real sugar bush experience. Not my ideal vacation but whatever works for the nature lovers of the world. He's a natural planner and has the lodge booked to capacity for three nights. Which, in the off-season, is a big deal.

The Maple Festival offered guests a shuttle into the festival, tickets to the dinner on Saturday and, of course, the accommodation which comes with an amazing continental breakfast spread by Millie. And I can't forget the special gift for guests because they sit next to me at the desk.

Each guest receives a small bottle of Leaf's maple syrup and a package of maple cream cookies Millie baked. And of course, an invitation-only code to book their next stay at a discount. Next to me, the syrup and cookies sit wrapped in a pretty cellophane bag. Each one has a tag with a photo of Leaf and Sasha smiling outside the lodge and the caption, ‘Your hosts, Leaf and Sasha.'

It's so domestic and so very Sasha that I can't help but smile. But I also wonder where the hell Perry is and why he didn't call. I had plans to finish my next lace design this morning so we could get it photographed. I couldn't say no when Millie asked if I could help. Sasha and Leaf were in town for a business breakfast and final arrangements for Saturday. Pete was picking up guests, and Millie had to keep her kitchen running.

The lodge door opens and the next set of arrivals tumble in to check in.

"Well, hello handsome."

The tall brunet man leans against the counter with a flirty grin. "We're here to check-in. I'm Bruce Bishop and this is my partner Avery."

Bruce's voice has a silky salesman quality to it. He's probably never heard the word no.

"Welcome to the Maple Mountain Lodge. Is this your first visit?"

Locating their reservation, I ask for their credit card and Bruce hands me a platinum visa.

"It is. We're here for a bit of fun and to celebrate our anniversary. Maybe go a little wild." I glance over the top of the computer screen to find them both aiming a lust-filled gaze my way.

"Well, I hope you can find something to make it memorable." I hand them the room keys with the cute wooden maple leaves and explain where to find their room.

"And since you know our room number, don't be shy to come by to say hello when you're free."

Bruce licks his lips, his intent clear, and when Avery shifts closer to him, I know I didn't read the encounter wrong. It's been a long time since I've been in this kind of situation and they're both attractive men. They're even staying here. No need for me to search in town. But the vibe is all wrong and for once, it's not the type of connection I want.

I want to reply in a way that doesn't give a promise, but perhaps says I'd keep it in mind, but a deep rumbling voice doesn't let me get that far.

"He won't be free this weekend. Enjoy your stay."

Bruce glances between Perry and me with a salacious grin. "He's got the burly lumberjack thing down to a tee. Well done with that fantasy, my friend. I'll see you around."

He waves as he and Avery turn back to the lobby to get their bags and find their rooms.

"Oh, crap. I didn't give them their gift. I'll deliver it later."

Perry takes one of the wrapped gifts and sears me with a look. "You most certainly will not." He jogs out to the lobby with the maple gift and calls out to Bruce. I watch as he accepts it with a smile, and Bruce's gaze drifts my way. He winks and I drop my gaze to the computer and immediately greet the next people in line.

Perry eventually returns to help, and together we process everyone who's waiting quickly. But with the line gone and quiet returning to the lodge, I finally turn to him.

"Where were you? I wasn't even supposed to help with this."

"Were you thinking of going to that couple's room later?"

He completely ignores my question, and I stand tall.

"Answer me first."

Perry's jaw clenches, and he drops his gaze briefly.

"I slept in. Now answer my question."

Perry's in my space more than before. His blue eyes blaze as he waits and I'm pissed that he's angry about me possibly visiting a guest's room.

"Am I on your turf? Is that it? You mad at me for getting the invitation before you?"

His head snaps back and his brows furrow.

"What the fuck does that mean?"

My temper flares, and my mouth engages before I can think.

"I know you make it a habit of flirting with guests here and sometimes hooking up. If I've crossed some kind of line, just say so. But I don't think it's any of your business what I do."

He steps away from me with a frown. "Is that what Sasha told you?"

Oh shit. I probably shouldn't have said that. Instead, I shrug, noncommittal. The flash of hurt across his face makes my gut drop.

He says nothing more and stalks away. Leaving me standing to stare after him as he disappears somewhere in the lodge. The longer I stand there and think about what just happened, the lower I feel.

Pulling out my phone, I text Sasha.

Roman:Call me when you're free, please? I fucked up.

It's not the first time I've said things I shouldn't and it likely won't be the last. But I can't create friction between my best friend and someone he cares about. Even if it wasn't intentional.

After reviewing all the reservations, I confirm there's no one left to check in. I don't need to linger here, but I don't know what to do. For the first time, I'm scared I fucked up with someone I care about.

When the phone rings, and it's Sasha, I answer with a squeaked greeting.

"Ro? What's wrong?"

"I think I've made a problem for you with Perry, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. It just slipped out."

"What did you do?"

"I was checking a couple in who were flirting and clearly wanted to invite me to their bed. Perry overheard and got all judgy about it. Then I sort of threw it at him that you told me he did it all the time."

Sasha stays silent and I shuffle the paper clips on the counter around.

"That's not what I said, and that was in confidence, Ro. Now he's gonna think I don't respect him."

"I know, and I'm sorry. He was just…he was all up in my space about it and didn't want me to talk to them when it's not his business! And you know how I can be when someone tries to do shit like that."

"Where is he now?"

"I'm not sure. I think—" There's an engine roar and I peek out the window to see Perry peel out of the yard in an ATV. "He just left on the four-wheel thing."

Sasha blows out a breath. "I'll talk to him when we're done here."

He sounds defeated and maybe even a little disappointed.

"Are we okay?"

"Yeah, Ro. We're okay. I love you and I know how you can snap. You've been doing it since I met you, but listen…you need to back off with Perry a little, okay? He's…there's stuff you don't know, and I'd hate for you to say something you can't take back."

"I'm sorry. Fuck. I've been here a few days and I'm already causing problems."

"Ro, it's gonna be okay. I'll find you later, okay?"

"Okay."

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I head to the kitchen in search of Millie because the thought of being alone in my room right now isn't something I can bear. When I see her moving around the kitchen and the mountain of pots and pans piled high, I know I made the right choice.

"Oh, it's nice to see you, Roman. How did you make out at registration?"

"Smooth as silk. Can I help you with the dishes?"

"Oh, that would be lovely. I've called one of our part-time girls to come, but she's babysitting and can't be here until late. But I've at least got her scheduled to help for the next few mornings. I think Leaf underestimated how busy we'd be."

Finding an apron hanging in the corner, I put it on to protect my clothes. I didn't dress for dish duty, but I'm not about to go change either.

"I think he's just excited by what Sasha has told me."

Millie smiles at me once I mention Sasha. "He's excited about everything again. Sasha is to thank for that."

Smiling right along with Millie, I run the dishwater and squirt in the soap. "Sasha has that effect on people. When we met, I was determined to not make new friends. I didn't want anyone to be close to me, but he just sort of stuck to me and I couldn't tell him to stay away if I wanted to."

Which is true. He just kept attaching himself to me at shoots, and he was so damn sunny and beautiful on the inside that I couldn't turn him away. It was like he knew I needed him.

"Do you have any family, Roman?"

Smiling, I think of my sisters, sister-in-law, and the new addition on the way.

"I'm going to be an uncle! My oldest sister Josie is pregnant and due in six months. She has a wife, Violet, who is the sweetest person ever. And I have a middle sister, Camryn. She's a cancer researcher and super smart."

Just talking about my sisters makes me feel lighter. Even though I miss them, I love talking about them.

"That sounds like a wonderful crew. So you'll have a baby in the family by Christmas then. It's so special that first Christmas."

Millie keeps talking about her grown daughter who lives out of town, and I nod and answer as I wash the dishes. It's what I needed to pull me back from the cliff that I thought I was teetering on. The possibility I fucked everything up. The mundane tasks and conversation with a real person, especially Millie, ground me.

When we're finished, that familiar vise around my chest has lost its grip and there's still no sign of Perry or Sasha. But I want to work on my designs today. Design has always been my outlet, no matter what my life is like. The conversation with Millie set me at ease. Now my work will soothe the wounded soul I never let anyone see.

With the first lace mantie now complete, I want to create a top piece. My sketch is so close to being what I want. With my classical music on low, I fall into my calm space. The notes of Vivaldi wrap around me and I'm lost to my muse. Sketching on paper and adjusting pieces of lace and material on a mannequin until it clicks, then I scramble to get the details right on paper to recreate it later.

It's a lot of trial and error. But it's the discovery that thrills me. How a material hangs or bunches, how a certain cut flatters a body part and even how the material feels against your skin. All of it I love and get lost in.

When the heavy knock sounds at the door, my heart jumps, hoping it's Sasha or Perry and I almost throw the door open without looking. But Perry's message of staying safe still lingers, and I check the peephole.

"What the fuck?" I mutter before opening the door.

"Hi, handsome. Care for some company?"