Page 87 of Juniper Hill (The Edens 2)

I sat beside her, pulling her into my arms. “It will end.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, honey.”

“Maybe I should just go back to New York. Find out who this woman is. Pay her—”

“No. It’s not an option, Memphis.”

She looked up at me, those brown eyes full of apology. “I never meant to drag you into all of this.”

“You didn’t drag me anywhere. I came willingly. Out my front door, up a staircase and into your loft, remember?”

Memphis gave me a sad smile. “Knox, I can’t put this on you.”

“You’ve never been able to count on anyone, have you?”

She blinked, like the reality of her life had just hit her in the face.

“You were so alone that you left. Because you had no one. But you’ve got me now. And like I told you the other night, I’m not going anywhere.” Maybe if I told her enough, she’d believe it.

“Promise?”

I dropped a kiss to her mouth. “I swear it.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

MEMPHIS

Eloise was checking in guests as I approached the front desk so I hovered back, waiting until they had their key cards and passed me for the elevators. She plopped into her seat and tucked a stray hair behind her ear as I walked over. “Phew. It’s been nonstop today.”

“You weren’t kidding about the holiday rush.”

Over the weekend, nearly every room in the hotel had been filled. The last of the guests had arrived today. We were fully booked for the entire week with visitors in town for Thanksgiving.

I’d been tidying occupied rooms all today, replacing towels and bedding and straightening up. The hallways had been vacuumed, the elevator cleaned. I’d just finished mopping the break room. Anything to keep busy. Frantic work and a maddening pace had been a godsend. It had allowed me to channel my nervous energy and keep my mind off of the unknowns.

My parents had checked out of The Eloise last week—not long after our discussion, according to Mateo. They’d probably left while we’d been in Knuckles. I hadn’t heard from them since.

Months and months of my mother’s constant calls. Now nothing but silence. Maybe she realized just how badly she’d hurt me. Maybe Dad had told her to stop calling. Maybe she’d given up.

I wished I missed my mother. I wished I could say that I’d missed the regular ringing of my phone. But it was a relief. I hadn’t realized how much pain had come with each of her calls, the bitterness they’d brought to each day.

Someday, my heart wouldn’t be so bruised. Someday, hopefully, these feelings toward her would soften. Someday, I might pick up the phone and call her for a change.

Just not today.

“Are you taking off?” Eloise asked, glancing at the clock.

“Unless you need me to do anything else.” It was just after five. Drake had to be picked up before six, but I had time if she needed me to deliver slippers or champagne to a room.

“No, you’ve been working your tail off this week. Have I told you how much I appreciate you? Because I do.”

“Thank you.” My chest swelled with pride. When I’d worked for Ward Hotels, it had been rare to receive a compliment. From my boss. From my father. Dad set the tone for the office and friendliness was a distant priority over accomplishment.

But Quincy was a welcoming place. People smiled as you passed them on the sidewalk and said hello. Neighbors watched out for neighbors. Strangers bought strangers a cup of coffee simply to be kind.

“See you tomorrow.” I waved at Eloise, then hurried to the break room to clock out. With my coat on and my purse slung over a shoulder, I headed for Knuckles.