Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Her face glows red and she goes quiet.
“Um, romance. Chick lit. Not the kinda stuff you’d be interested in—”
“Smut then,” I say. “Erotica. Got it.”
Her mouth drops.
“What? Whoa—okay—I mean—”
“Miss Renee, there’s no need to pretend you’re Miss Puritan. Plenty of women in this company who spend long hours traveling like their fuck books to keep them company. I don’t blame them one bit. Who doesn’t enjoy reading?”
For a second, I enjoy her bewildered silence, the way her face burns cherry red.
“Now, what about those bad reviews? Regrettably, our appeal can’t be salvaged with sex.”
She clears her throat. “I mean, when I’m thinking of going somewhere that hasn’t offered me a free room, I look at the three-star reviews first. Unless it’s someone with a track record. The fives are usually too gushy and shallow, and one stars usually mean someone just had a bad day. Threes are where you get the real pros and cons.”
I nod. Decent observations all the way around.
By now, we’re arriving in town.
Once we pull into a public space and park, I let her mill around a few gift shops and then head to a small place down the street for lunch.
“What do you recommend?” she asks.
“Classic plate lunch. It’s kalua pork or katsu chicken with rice and macaroni salad. The best on the island—if you’re brave enough to enjoy the carb overload.”
“Lucky for you, I’m starving. Can I get Hawaiian bread to go with it or is that some kind of mainland joke?”
I snort.
She thinks she’s so funny. For a girl who’s traveled, her questions are so cute you’d think she’s never left the mainland US before.
“Just order the Portuguese sweet roll on the side,” I say.
She smiles. “And I know macaroni salad is like a staple around here, but it makes no sense to me. How’d this place wind up married to macaroni noodles?” she asks after we’re seated, lifting a glass of water.
“Well, my history is rusty, but I think macaroni and cheese took off here in the early twentieth century. It was a cheap way to feed the farmers since everyone loves comfort food. Street vendors started putting their own twist on a hot thing. Now, it’s weird having lunch without macaroni salad on the islands.”
“Pretty interesting. Thanks, professor!”
I shrug, refusing to be blinded by her smile again.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as we head inside the restaurant. I pull it out and see a text from Keenan.
You’ll be back by Friday, right? We’ve got a new headache at the New York resort. I’m emailing you all of the docs now.
I hold in a sigh and send back, Yeah. I’ll review them and put out the fire as soon as I can.
Piper clears her throat.
What the hell happened? Summarize, I send.
I pretend to drink my water until my phone buzzes again.
Keenan: Don’t have all the details yet. But some chick was crazy pissed and threatening to sue last night. I gave her a free night and Mets tickets. I think I’ve talked her down from going nuclear...for now.
I nod at the screen out of habit and punch in, Thanks for reminding me why I keep you around.
I look across the table at Piper.
Her eyes are narrowed as she stares at me, questions etched on her face.
“Here’s your inside look at the downsides of hotel management. I answer texts constantly so I can babysit reviewers. It’s not all elysian beaches and sipping mai tais.”
“You’re a dick,” she whispers.
“Careful, Miss Renee. If I didn’t know better, I might think you’re treating this like a date with date-like expectations.”
That shuts her up.
Thankfully, she forgives me enough to make small talk while our food arrives. We both wolf down our lunch while she tells me about the many cozy cabins she’s been to everywhere from Leavenworth to Yellowstone.
After lunch, I lead her down the street and rent a four-wheeler.
“What’s that thing for?”
“We’re visiting a local ranch for horseback riding, but it’s pretty far off the beaten path. This is the easiest way to get there. You ever driven one before?”
She shakes her head.
“I’ll drive then. You just sit behind me and enjoy the ride.”
Her eyes swell and she nods tensely.
I sit down and wait as she climbs on behind me, so careful to leave a gap between us.
Now, it’s my turn to tense up.
My blood goes molten at the slightest brush of her hand.
“Is there like...something I can hang on to?” she asks weakly. “Sorry. I get around, but I’ve never been on a sports vehicle or—whatever this thing is.”
I chuckle. “You already know what you’re supposed to hold on to, Miss Sunshine. Right in front of you. If touching me makes you that uncomfortable, I’ll figure out something else for us to do.”
For a heady second, she’s quiet.
“No, that’s...fine. Although, I’d rather see dolphins than horses.” She knots the sides of my shirt in her fists.