Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
We’re in a meeting surrounded by co-workers and clients. Not his bedroom. Not the beach.
I wince at how easy it is to slip and fall so effortlessly into lust with him that my brain exits my body.
“Oh, sorry.” My voice is louder than I intend as I pull away. “I’m just so happy for you. Congratulations.”
Cole nods, watching me carefully.
I tense, wondering if my impulsive little hug blew our cover...
Did anyone else notice? My eyes scan the room nervously.
Destiny is on the other side of me, within arm’s reach and still glued to her phone, thank God.
Brock Winthrope crosses the room with a bright smile in his eyes for both of us. “A word of advice, Lancaster. Keep her employed at all costs. Beauty, brains, and art doesn’t grow on trees.”
...that advice doesn’t sound bad.
“Relax. I have no intention of letting her get away,” Cole says.
I let out a tiny sigh of relief I hope no one else hears.
“I have a contract ready with all the terms previously discussed.” Kate pulls two thick packets of paper out of a black binder. She passes one to Cole and the other to Winthrope, who immediately starts reading it.
Soon, people start filing away from the table as I begin to understand less and less of what Cole and Brock are saying in their legalese.
“It’s naptime,” Destiny whispers with a disgusted smirk.
I can’t disagree.
“I saw someone bringing in a dessert tower earlier. I think there were macaroons,” I whisper back.
Destiny laughs and we start scanning the room together.
“Sweet. Let’s go find some cookies,” she says.
We gravitate toward a table at the back where a decadent spread of Hawaiian snacks and desserts are laid out. We each grab a handful of bite-size pastries. I’m happy to get my hands on everything coconut.
“Let’s get out of here. No sense in wasting more of this beautiful day.” She leads me to another balcony I didn’t even know existed.
Yeah, I’m starting to think I’ll never fathom the sheer size of this house.
She walks up to the thick wooden railing and leans against it, her dirty-blond hair rippling in the breeze.
“Gorgeous spot,” I say. “But I don’t think there’s a single ugly one here.”
“There is.” The way she says it surprises me. Her voice drops. “I kind of dreaded coming here, Eliza, but it’s been fun. Thanks for making this trip so easy. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have gotten through it smiling without you.” Destiny pops a cookie into her mouth and chews harshly.
I try not to stare, wondering where this is coming from.
What’s she talking about?
Hawaii hardly seems like some bitter ordeal to grind through. But I’ve clearly touched an emotional nerve.
She whips her head around, pretending she’s stuffing another cookie in her mouth, but she isn’t fast enough.
I notice the hot tear that rolls down her cheek.
“Hon, forgive me, but I’m not sure what you mean,” I say gently, moving closer.
“It’s just...it’s so gorgeous here, but we haven’t been since I was a kid. I just didn’t think I could ever be happy here again. Not after...” She pauses. “After my mom washed up on the beach...this place felt like poison.”
I freeze. Turn. Stare at her.
“What?” It comes out in a stunned whisper.
She sniffs hard, still not looking at me.
“I actually thought I was allergic to warm beaches for a long time, Eliza. When Dad took me to Asia, my throat closed up. I couldn’t breathe. Some kind of anxiety or panic attack. We spent like the whole time in the hotel because just walking by a beach upset me that much.”
I can’t decide if my heart skips or breaks for her.
“You poor thing,” I whisper, laying a soft hand on her back. “I’m so sorry, Destiny. I didn’t know what happened to your mother.”
She’s ugly crying now, wiping red eyes with her shaking hand.
“I-it’s fine. The point is, I smiled. I laughed. Every day I’ve been here. I even got on a boat and surfed and swam with turtles... I couldn’t have done any of that without you. Oh, and I was worried about Dad, too, but he looked so happy with...with you.”
“Well, he’s got a lot to smile about considering he’s signing a contract for the world’s most expensive coffee,” I say carefully, still feeling a little shell-shocked.
Wow. So, this is the big tragedy everyone keeps tiptoeing around.
No wonder she’s been so busted up.
“You know what, new rule. Nobody gets to be sad in Kona. Not if you want to avoid the eight-armed hug.”
“Eight-armed what?” she echoes.
I throw my arms around her and pull her into a bear hug, wrestling her around until she laughs. “I octo-hug you like I have eight arms.”
“Hey! Not fair,” she whispers, but I’m glad she’s smiling now.
“So your parents—your family, I mean—all stayed here when you were young?” I venture.