First Love (Soulmates #4) Page 2

  “So she’ll help?” I asked.

  “Absolutely. She’s never done a hotel before. She’s thrilled that you thought of her.”

  “Of course.”

  “And she thinks the local area is the cutest place she’s ever been,” he said, checking his watch. “Which explains why she totally blew us off for lunch.”

  “Shopping?”

  He nodded. “There’s something about the word boutique that she finds irresistible, and I know she wanted to bring a housewarming present back for Nora and Woody.”

  “They’re moving in together?”

  “Yep,” he said, scooting around the table to get the sun off his back. “Maybe if you hurry up with this place, you can convince them to have a destination wedding.”

  “Has he proposed?”

  “No, but he’s been taking every shift I can give him,” Ben said. “And they’re getting pretty serious so I’d be surprised if it doesn’t happen soon.”

  “Good for him.”

  “I know, right?” Ben reached for his lemonade. “The guy’s an inspiration. He thinks I did him a favor giving him a job at the club, but to be honest, I’ve gotten so much out of having him around I can’t even tell you.”

  “And what about you and Carrie?” I asked.

  “What about us?”

  “When are you going to walk her down the aisle?”

  “I don’t know,” he said. “But it’s not going to be here.”

  I smiled. “Maybe for the honeymoon?”

  “Settle down, man. It’s not going to happen. When the time comes, I’m going to take her to a private island or something where we can have an X-rated honeymoon without scarring other people’s children.”

  “Fine,” I said. “I take it back. You’re not invited to honeymoon here.”

  “What about you?” he asked. “How are things going with Victoria?”

  “Well I moved down here for the summer so what does that tell you?”

  “That you’re not quite as smitten as she is?”

  I sighed. “My mom thinks the sun shines out of her ass.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows.

  “I can assure you it doesn’t. I checked.”

  “So why lead her on?”

  “I’m not leading her on,” I said. “I’ve been as straight up as I’ve ever been.”

  “What did you tell her about coming down here?”

  “That I needed space and that work was my priority.”

  “Ouch,” he said. “How did she take it?”

  I shook my head. “Honestly? She acted like I asked her to wait for me and be my wife. She’s so supportive it’s annoying.”

  “I can see why your mom likes her.”

  “My mom just wants me to marry someone with money so I don’t have to worry that they love me for the wrong reasons.”

  Ben smiled. “And you want to marry for love?”

  “Don’t say it with that dopey expression on your face. I’m not a fucking Disney Princess.”

  He laughed. “You sound like one.”

  “That’s not it. I just don’t love Victoria. She doesn’t challenge me.”

  “She’s beautiful.”

  “Yeah, but she’s beautiful in the way crystal is beautiful.”

  He craned his neck forward. “What does that mean?”

  “She’s useless.”

  “She hosts a mean dinner party, though.”

  I rolled my eyes to the sky. “That’s probably the real reason my mom likes her so much.”

  “Isn’t that why we all like her so much?”

  “She’s not the one, Ben.”

  “So break things off.”

  “I tried,” I said. “Several times. But she just tunes it out. I’m getting worried that she’s certifiable. That’s another reason I was so keen to distance myself.”

  “I’ve got bad news for you, Adam.”

  “What?”

  “All women are crazy,” he said. “It’s just a matter of whose brand of crazy is something you can live with.”

  “I don’t have the energy for Victoria’s brand.” I took a sip of water. “She’s nice, but nice isn’t enough. And she’s pretty, but she’s fake as fuck.”

  “Are we talking about her tits or her personality now?”

  “You noticed?” I asked.

  “Sorry- which one are we talking about?”

  “Both.”

  “Then yes.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “I figured as much. Unfortunately, my relationship with Victoria seems to be one of the few things that brings my mom comfort these days.”

  “That’s tough, man.”

  “Yeah.” I watched a dragonfly hover over a nearby table. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I want to meet someone real, someone hot who makes me laugh and isn’t a suck up.”

  Ben tilted his glass against his mouth and crunched some ice cubes.

  “You know what I mean?”

  “I do,” he said. “But have you ever met someone you would describe that way?”

  “Once,” I said. “A long time ago.”

  Chapter 3: Jolie

  “I think it’s pretty obvious why she didn’t ask for your opinion,” Gia said from behind the reception desk as she rolled up the sleeves of her white shirt.

  I rested an elbow on the counter between us. “What do you mean?”

  She shrugged as she scanned the lobby. “I mean she knew you wouldn’t be cool with it.”

  “Of course I’m not cool with it,” I said, struggling to not raise my voice. “My dad built this place with his bare hands and then put every penny he ever made back into it. It was supposed to stay in the family.”

  “She obviously had no choice.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t buy it. Everyone always has a choice.”

  Gia cocked her head. “I don’t mean to be disagreeable, Jo, but I don’t think your mom would’ve made this decision if her back wasn’t up against the wall.”

  I squinted at her. “How can you take her side right now?”

  “I’m not taking her side,” Gia said, pushing her long black braid behind her back. “All I’m saying is that there’s only one person that was more adversely affected by your dad’s death than you.”

  I sighed. “I know.” Of course I knew. My mom’s collapse into despair had been the elephant in the room for the last two years.

  And it was confusing because part of me felt some sick satisfaction at how visibly broken up she was, as if I were relieved to discover that she felt as lost without him as I did. Still, I couldn’t help but wish she’d suck it up and be stronger- not only for me, but for herself, too.

  It would’ve broken his heart to see her dragging her feet around and recoiling from all the things they used to like doing together.

  I couldn’t remember the last time she went golfing, and I’d offered to go to the movies with her, but it was like everything that was even remotely relaxing or entertaining filled her with so much guilt and sadness over my dad that she would rather give up than go on.

  And while I was resenting it more with each passing day, I never thought she would do something as rash as sell his baby.

  “You know what the worst part is?” I asked.

  “Besides the fact that some fat, moley businessman is about to come in here, fire half the staff, wipe away all the resort’s personality, and sell the place again?”

  My eyes grew wide. “Okay, that sucks.”

  “I know,” she said. “That’s why I said besides that. What were you going to say?”

  “She asked me to pretend to be happy with it.”

  Her eyes drooped at the corners.

  “She broke my heart and then asked me to be strong for the staff and help them see what a good thing it was.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know how you’re supposed to do that when you don’t like anything about the situation.”

  “I know.” I ran a hand through my hair and smile
d at some customers as they walked out the front door. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you think I’m being an ungrateful brat?”

  “No.”

  “Really?” I asked. “Because you’re the only person I actually trust to tell me if I’m being an idiot.”

  “Really, Jo.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek.

  “You’ve been running this place for the last two years,” she said. “The fact that your mom made this decision without consulting you is as insulting as it is a reflection on her reduced mental capacity. And you know I love your mom so I wouldn’t say that lightly.”

  I nodded.

  “But she’s right,” Gia said. “Everyone is going to look to you on this. It’s only natural. So it might be in your best interest to feign a relaxed attitude to the new boss so your dissent doesn’t trickle down to the guest’s experience.”

  “True,” I said. “Disgusting, but true.”

  My eyes scanned the light filled lobby. Sure, the carpet was worn and the furniture in the entry way could’ve been more modern, but our guests were always smiling and wasn’t that the most important thing?

  Yes, some of our TripAdvisor reviews had begun to mention the fact that the place needed some TLC, but no one ever had a bad word to say about the staff or their holiday or the food. Why couldn’t my mom see how much potential the place still had? Why couldn’t she fight as hard as my dad had for it- every day until his last?

  “I know what would cheer you up,” Gia said, her dark red lips curling into a smile.

  “A sedative?”

  “I said, up, Jolie. Not down.”

  “You want to go paddle boarding later?”

  She scrunched her face. “Actually, I had a land based activity in mind.”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  “Let’s go out with Brian and Carlos tonight and drink till it feels like yesterday when none of this shit was even looking at the fan.”

  “Brian doesn’t really do it for me.”

  She tilted an ear towards me. “He did it for you last weekend.”

  “Only because my blood alcohol level was so high my defenses were down.”

  “Seemed like you were having a pretty good time to me.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “I’m being unfair. I did have a good time, and he’s a perfectly nice guy.”

  “With a fantastic body and a helluva lot in common with you.”

  “Like what?” I asked. “The fact that he likes paddle boarding and is a lousy dancer?”

  “As long as he’s not lousy in bed.”

  I looked around to make sure no one was within earshot. “He wasn’t exactly lousy, but if I’d been wearing socks, he wouldn’t have knocked them off or anything.”

  “Look,” she said. “I don’t want to be too harsh because it feels like enough of a victory that you actually gave him a chance, but you have to stop comparing everyone to Mr. Summer Fling from all those years ago.”

  I sighed. “I know. He totally ruined me. He actually made me believe it was possible to have sex with someone you didn’t know that well and not regret it the next day.”

  “I think you’re too harsh a critic.”

  “And I think I’m one of those women who’s cursed by the fact that the best sex of my life is behind me.”

  She raised a palm at me and shook her head. “As you know, I can’t relate because my first time was horrendous.”

  “Whereas mine turned into a summer so romantic that every guy since has seemed dull in comparison.”

  “Are you sure you aren’t just using that guy as an excuse to not get close to anyone else?”

  “Of course,” I said. “I’d love to be serious about someone and have a legitimate reason to turn down creeps at the bar who want to buy me drinks.”

  “Mmm.”

  “But that guy stole my ignorance when he took my innocence, and now I can’t just settle for someone who’s nice or merely… inoffensive.”

  Gia cocked her head. “How lucky for me that I’m not burdened by such high standards.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  She smiled. “I know, but the fact of the matter is that he was just a summer crush and he disappeared a lifetime ago. It’s not like he’s going to suddenly be… on the other side of the room.”

  “I understand that, but-”

  “No. Jolie.”

  I furrowed my brow. “What?”

  “I’m serious.”

  I stared into her big brown eyes. They were looking right past me.

  “Isn’t that him?” she asked.

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t fuck with me, Gia. That’s not cool.”

  “I’m not,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “That guy looks just like him.”

  “Where?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.

  “By the stand that holds the pamphlets for all the local tours.”

  My eyes darted towards the front door.

  And sure enough, there he was.

  The only boy I ever loved.

  Except there was nothing boyish about him anymore.

  And while my first thought was that my mind was playing tricks on me, as far as my body was concerned, there was absolutely no question.

  It was him.

  And he was taller, better dressed, and more handsome than ever.

  Flashback: Jolie

  I’d just gotten in trouble for talking back to my mom.

  Gia and I were playing in the pool, and we took a noodle from some other kid to secure the foundation on our spectacular noodle fort.

  Unfortunately, the victim of our thievery was a paying guest at the hotel. So when my mom realized what we’d done, Gia got sent to join her mom on housekeeping duty, and I was sent to the edge of the pool deck with a worn out toothbrush and some grout cleaner.

  Worst of all, from where I was sitting in my faded Oshkosh cutoffs, I could see the victim- who’d finally stopped fake crying his butt off- living it up in our noodle fort.

  I was absolutely fuming for a whole five minutes, but then something caught my eye. Just over the dunes I saw a kite, or rather, flashes of a kite.

  It was blue and green and had a little trail of ribbons behind it, but it took me several flashes to get all that because it wasn’t taking flight.

  Instead, someone was simply throwing it in the air over and over, just high enough for it to turn around and dive straight towards the ground again.

  It seemed clear to me- even at such a young age- that the person either didn’t know how to fly a kite or was lacking in the assistance they needed to help the thing take off.

  Being an independent minded sort of kid, it occurred to me that assisting another guest might be equally fair penance for my selfish noodle thieving.

  Obviously, I didn’t bother asking my mom if she agreed. After all, she was already annoyed with me, and it was very likely she would say no, especially since she knew how much I loved kites and hated scrubbing grout.

  So, like a martyr, I walked down the path over the dunes, my curious brown eyes trained on the jumping kite I’d never seen before.

  When the kite’s owner came into view, I could tell by the twisted expression on his sun kissed face that he was getting frustrated.

  “Hi,” I said, guessing he was around my age once I’d walked up to get a closer look.

  “Hi,” he said. “Can you give me some space?” He threw the kite in the air again.

  “Are you fishing for birds?” I asked.

  The kite crashed down in the sand between us.

  He exhaled and looked at me. “You’re not very funny.”

  “And you’re not very good at flying kites.”

  “I almost had it that time.”

  “No you didn’t,” I said. “But don’t worry. I can help. My name’s Jolie, and I work here.”

  He furrowed his brow and picked up the kite. “You work where?”

&nb
sp; I pointed a thumb behind me. “At the Harmony Bay Hotel.”

  He glanced over my shoulder. “Aren’t you a little young to have a job?”

  “No,” I said. “I have a lot of jobs.”

  He squinted at me.

  “And one of them is helping people fly kites.”

  “I don’t need help,” he said, taking a step back.

  I scrunched my face. I wasn’t used to people being so difficult. “Then I have bad news.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  “I can’t allow you to keep flying your kite if you don’t accept help.”

  He craned his neck back. “What?”

  I put my hands on my hips. “The people on the pool deck are getting very depressed about your kite.”

  “Depressed?”

  I nodded. “It’s ruining their view of the beach.”

  He looked back and forth between me and the kite.

  “But if you can get it airborne, then we won’t have any problems.”

  “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know that was a rule.”

  “It’s okay. Now you know.”

  He pressed his lips together and looked at the reel in his hand.

  I widened my stance like my dad always did when he was giving instructions. “You have to unravel a lot more string than that if you want to give the kite a flying chance.”

  The boy handed the kite to me and started unraveling the string.

  “More,” I said when he raised his eyes. “Keep going. I’ll say when… Okay, that’s enough.”

  “Now what?”

  I looked over my shoulder at the sea oats on the dunes to figure out which way the wind was blowing. “Now run that way as fast as you can,” I said, pointing down the beach.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to release the kite into the air at the perfect moment.”

  He pushed his thick brown hair out of his eyes.

  “Trust me,” I said. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

  “Rodeo?”

  I groaned. “It’s an expression. Doesn’t your mom ever watch Dr. Phil?”

  He shook his head.

  “Just run already.”

  He wiggled his toes in the sand and took off a second later.

  “Faster!” I called as I watched the string at my feet disappear. “And don’t look back!” I yelled when he glanced over his shoulder.