Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
That’s an understatement. “But why was he one of Henry Wolf’s groomsmen? He said they aren’t friends.”
“I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
“Or he’s a liar.” And now he and Henry are laughing about the crazy rooster commune lady throwing herself at him. I can’t shake the humiliation I’ve worn since Ronan’s rejection. I never put myself out there like that.
Gigi’s face pinches with worry. “You know, sometimes I think it was a mistake taking up that fight with the hotel. Maybe it would have been better to cash the check. It’s just a little house on the water.”
I’m already shaking my head. “No, it’s our home.” It’s everything I grew up knowing. “Some billionaire doesn’t get to come in and force us out!”
My phone rings, cutting off my rant. Frank’s number shows up on my screen.
Gigi’s eyes light up. “Oh, let me talk to him!”
I throw the call on speaker.
“You haven’t come to see me in two weeks!” Gigi says by way of greeting.
“I know. I’m sorry.” Frank’s gruff voice carries. “I’ve been busy getting Rainbow Alley ready. I’ll come by tomorrow, if your granddaughter lets me have a day off, I promise.”
I roll my eyes, even as Gigi laughs. Frank wouldn’t take a day off unless I put a gun to his head. He could be dying and he’d pick up a shovel and dig the hole for his corpse, just so he had something to do.
“Sloane, you got a second?” Frank asks.
He wouldn’t bother me while I’m with Gigi unless it’s important. “Yeah, for sure. Hold on.” I slink away and turn off the speaker. “What’s up?”
“Three things. A guy came in askin’ for a job. Name’s Rolland. Local kid. Not much in the way of experience, and he’s scrawny. Not a fucking chance in hell he’ll be able to carry four chairs at a time, let alone eight, and a strong wind might blow him over.”
“You’re not really selling him to me.”
“He can start today. And he’ll build muscle.”
“Okay. Hire him, I guess. We need all the help we can get.” My arms and shoulders are screaming at me after loading and unloading umbrellas and beach chairs late into the night.
“You don’t want to meet him first?”
“At this point? Just check his references to make sure he’s not a criminal.”
“Consider it done. Also, AJ called in sick.”
I groan. And so it begins. Though I shouldn’t be surprised after yesterday’s run-in. “Anyone else?” We have two cruise bookings for the afternoon. Will Jeremy bail on me too? And what about Will? He’s supposed to be there to ready the boats.
“All good so far. I can play captain, but that means Mick and this new guy are on their own—”
“No, I’ll cover AJ today. And every other day,” I add, checking my watch. My Saturday has officially been derailed, but this is par for the course when we’re in season, even without all the staffing issues. “What else?”
“Just got a call from Lover Boy.”
“Who?”
“The bro workin’ at the hotel.”
My heart skips a beat. “Ronan?”
“That one. He said to call him ASAP. Something work-related. Says you have his number but you probably tossed it, so he gave it to me again.”
“No, I’ve still got it.” Tucked away in my purse. “I was going to throw it out.”
“Yeah, sure you were. Anyway, he said you’d want to call him, like, now. He was at the coffee shop this morning too.”
“Really?” A mixture of curiosity and worry stirs in my stomach. What’s this about? Is Ronan going to tell me he can’t keep up his end of our deal?
“The guy seems to be working extra hard to not get into your pants. You know, because I vetoed him, remember? Give Gigi a kiss for me.” The line goes dead before I can tell him to mind his own business.
I fish out Ronan’s business card and punch in the number he scrawled on the back.
He answers on the second ring, his voice somehow raspier with a basic, “Hey.”
“Frank told me you’re looking for me?”
“Sea Witch?”
“How many other people do you call and leave cryptic messages for?” And why are my cheeks burning with embarrassment—again—over the fact that I threw myself at him and he shut me down?
“In general, or just today?” Amusement taints his voice. He sounds more like the flirtatious version sprawled out on the beach.
But my hormones will not sway me today. “What’s up?”
“Gotta run something by you, but it needs to be in the next hour. You home?”
“No.” I falter, stealing a glance at Gigi. She’s cleaning up all evidence of the scone, burying the wrapper and crumbs in the bottom of her wastebasket. “But I can be in about twenty minutes.” I need to change, anyway.
“’Kay. I’ll meet you at your place.”
“Wait, what do you—”
The call disconnects before I finish my question.