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)
“Well, yeah, the hotel manager …” His words trail.
“The hotel manager what?” I’ve never met this manager. I have no idea who they are. What are they telling their staff to do—stay away from me? Harass me until I’ll sell?
“So, that’s what that reaction back there was about?” Ronan jams a thumb in the air toward the beach, not answering my question. “You ditched me because I work for Wolf?” His tone is mocking.
When he says it like that, it does sound petty, but it’s not even 8:00 a.m., I’m already tired, and now I have to worry about how many more staff members plan on deserting me. “Don’t you have a job to get to?”
He checks his watch and collects his coffee cup. “Actually, yeah, I do. Thanks for the help in the water. See you around. Maybe.” That last word is a mumble. He may as well have said not likely.
I bite my bottom lip with a mixture of reluctance and regret as I watch him and his deliciously powerful back stroll out.
Frank sticks his head in. “Making friends everywhere these days, hey, Parker? Or should I say crazy rooster commune—”
“Shut up,” I snap. “You live in that commune, remember?”
“I’m getting T-shirts made.” His deep chuckle trails him back into the coffee shop.
Rebel appears then, holding out a warmed macadamia scone and wearing a sympathetic smile. “Hungry?”
“You’re a godsend.” I clamber for the treat—my favorite. “It’s so nice having you guys back.” I add loud enough to carry, “Frank never does nice things for me.”
A responding grunt is all I get.
“So?” Her dimples flash as I moan through a mouthful. “Who was that guy?”
“A customer from the other day.”
“Who’s got a thing for Sloane,” Frank hollers.
“Stop gossiping!” I scowl at the wall between us.
“Could be a customer with benefits.” She waggles her eyebrows.
“Not my style, you know that. Plus, I think those benefits just walked out the door, never to be seen again.” Ronan is not my concern right now, though. “Have you talked to Jeremy lately?” He and Rebel occasionally wake up in each other’s beds together—naked.
“Yeah, briefly. Why?”
“Because he booked today off and …” I collect the newspaper from my desk and hold up the Wolf job fair ad. “Do you know about this?”
Her gaze darts to the floor but not before I catch the grimace of guilt.
My shoulders sag. “So, it’s true. He’s applying to Wolf?”
“I don’t want to get in the middle of this!”
“Come on. I know I’m putting you in a tough position, but I need to know.” I already have nine reservations for next week.
She hesitates, glancing behind me, no doubt to search for help from Skye, who is conveniently still hiding. “Jeremy mentioned something about applying there.”
My arm flops to my side with the article. “Great. I knew it. He’s as good as gone.”
“Not necessarily—”
I glare at her, and she presses her lips together. We both know Jeremy’s a shoo-in.
“So, I’m going to be down to one captain for high season.” We normally run three boats a day.
She winces. “I think AJ might be applying there too.”
“Are you kidding me?” I shriek. “Why are you just telling me this now?” My anger flares.
The coffee shop door jangles and Rebel uses that as her excuse to scurry back to the other side.
Frank swaps places with her, his expression grim.
“What do I do?” I look at him helplessly.
“They got a right to leave if they want to.”
“Yeah, fine, but don’t commit to me for the season, then! And when are they going to give me notice?” I press a hand against my chest as panic sets in. “I have to stop taking bookings today. Now. At least until I know what’s happening.” But if I close Sea Witch’s calendar, people won’t wait, they won’t call in. They’ll just move on to our competitors. I’ll lose business either way.
Frank holds up a brown paper bag with another scone inside. In his giant hand, it looks miniature. “Why don’t you take this to Gigi?”
So she can talk me off the ledge, he doesn’t have to say. “She’s at the pool all morning. And I don’t want to stress her out about this.” She wasn’t any happier about the hotel opening than I was. Frankly, I blame Henry Wolf for her waning health.
“Okay. I’m gonna head down to the docks to do maintenance on the boats and then I’ll be movin’ equipment, if you need me.” He sets the paper bag on the desk and wanders away, leaving me to stew.
Skye is sitting cross-legged on the floor in the office, surrounded by file folders.
“What do you know about this?” No doubt she heard every word.
She smiles uneasily. “Jer’s tired of juggling jobs through the year. He wants somewhere full time, with benefits and all that.”
“Yeah, I know.” I can’t blame him. And he did come to me, asking for more hours. “What about the others? Who else besides AJ?”