Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Tripp: Why haven’t you texted me yet?
Vida: Help. I’m in trouble.
Wide-eyed, I move with the pack up the staircase to the management offices, filing into a conference room I’ve never entered before. A man sits at the head of the table with his hands folded, his gaze landing directly on me the moment I enter the room.
Oh no. The meeting really is about me.
Why can’t they just fire me privately?
“Good morning and thank you for coming,” the man says briskly. “We all have duties to attend to, so I’ll make this brief. Our biggest client has made some observations during his stay at Reserve, and due to his rightful concerns, we are going to institute some changes beginning today.”
I’m so prepared to be publicly canned, it takes me a moment to catch up.
Biggest client? Isn’t that Tripp?
“This client, who shall remain unnamed, expressed his grave concern about the safety of the maids. As of today, there will be discreet security guards stationed in all common areas. Our client has also purchased a state-of-the-art safety system that will provide every maid with a panic button to be worn at all times. If the button is pushed, security headquarters will dispatch a guard immediately. A team is flying in from Switzerland this morning to install it and buttons will be distributed without delay.” He quickly scans the room. “Any questions?”
Everyone appears to be stunned into silence.
Including me. Though my heart is pounding like a drum.
Then go to work and let me figure out how to make the world better for you without pissing you off in the process.
Tripp did this.
When I was harassed by that man at the pool, Tripp told me he was going to make sure nothing like that ever happened again—and he meant it. He really meant it. He didn’t make a false promise and move on with his life. He took action. Meaningful action. The maids at Reserve are going to be so much safer because of his thoughtfulness and generosity.
Love overflows inside me like water through a cracked aquarium.
“Vida!”
I’m thinking so hard about Tripp, I assume I’m hallucinating his panicked call of my name. Until I hear it again, along with a series of doors being ripped open and slammed shut.
“VIDA!”
The frantic text I sent my boyfriend comes back to me in a flash.
I told Tripp I was in trouble.
Now, he’s here.
Everyone in the room is staring at me.
“Um…” Nerves race up my spine. “Excuse me. I think one of the guests is looking for something. Extra towels, maybe?”
I attempt to flee the conference room and intercept Tripp before he can enter.
I don’t make it in time.
Shirtless in sweatpants, his muscle-stacked chest heaving with exertion, my boyfriend storms wild-eyed into the conference room. When he sees me, his face floods with relief, and he doubles forward, catching himself with two hands on his thighs.
“Jesus Christ, angel, I thought you’d been kidnapped or hurt.”
The resort manager’s eyes zip between me and Tripp, comprehension slowly dawning.
“This meeting is adjourned. Everyone may leave and attend to their duties. Thank you.”
My co-workers file reluctantly from the room, the whispers starting the second they hit the hallway. The moment the door closes behind them, Tripp takes two lunging steps in my direction and scoops me up into a bear hug, leaving my feet several inches off the ground.
Okay. Now I’m fired.
But weirdly, my first instinct is to reassure Tripp because his heart is still walloping in his ribcage at a hundred miles per hour. I can feel it against my breasts.
“It’s okay. I’m okay.” I nuzzle his cheek. “I’m sorry I scared you. I thought this meeting was about me and you. But…it wasn’t. It was about all the ways you’re going to make Reserve safer for the maids.” My voice hitches slightly. “I can’t believe you did that. You’re amazing.”
His arms tighten around me, and he buries his face in my neck, but he says nothing.
“Well,” the resort manager says, his tone dry. “Now I know why you wanted the added safety measures for the maids.” Standing, he sighs. “You know, we have a strict policy against guests being romantically involved with staff, Tripp.”
I should be shaking in my work sneakers right now.
I’m caught.
But I don’t feel an ounce of worry or fear now that Tripp’s arms surround me.
I trust him.
Tripp kisses my neck tenderly and lifts his head. “Yes, Vida is my girlfriend. I trust that won’t be an issue, godfather.”
“Tripp—”
“I pursued her. She told me the policy and said no to seeing me romantically, but I think you know how persistent I can be.”
“In school and business, yes. Not usually with…”
“Women. It’s okay, you can say it.” He strokes a hand down my braid. “Anything you need to say to me, you can say in front of her.”
He really woke up this morning determined to keep me swooning.