“Your dad spoke to me about it,” I admit.
Kat’s eyes fly to mine. “What? When?”
“About a year before he died. He told me about your idea for a fully sustainable hotel. Asked my opinion.”
Kat inclines her head. “It doesn’t surprise me. He was sceptical,” she admits.
“He was, but only because he knew the technology was not where it needed to be.”
“He was right.”
“We talked a lot about possibilities, for when the technology caught up.”
“And it has,” she says slightly wistfully.
“As it always does. Where there’s a need, someone will always find a way.”
We sit in silence, drinking our wine and listening to the waves lapping on the shore. A gecko chirps from somewhere nearby. I grab the bottle of wine from the table and top up both our glasses.
Kat sighs. “It’s so peaceful here. I can finally think.”
She turns her head and chuckles, as if shocked by her own words.
“Is that why you came? To think?” I ask.
“Yes. The past two and a half months have been like being caught in the eye of a storm. Not knowing which way to turn. My brothers have been pussyfooting around me, wanting to know if I’m okay. They’ve nearly driven me insane. I put it to the back of my mind, and then they call, asking if I’m okay and drag it all up again.”
“You’ve had a lot to deal with.”
Her eyes lock with mine.
“Not as much as Elijah. He’s been dealing with Darra for years. And as for Zach, I wonder in my heart if he suspected him deep down.” She brushes a speck of invisible flint from her dress. “For me, I’m embarrassed. I let myself be manipulated by vindictive individuals, let myself be used, and that’s not a nice feeling. Not when I’ve worked so hard at being in control of my destiny.”
“I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself. No one could have foreseen this. It’s sick and twisted. Zach’s letter was hard reading,” I admit.
Kat drops her chin to her chest. “I don’t think I am. I’ve been a coward, Jax. I ran away even to read it. It’s offered me answers, excuses for the way I’ve behaved, but most of all, it’s left me feeling empty inside.”
“I wouldn’t say this is running away. You’ve simply taken yourself out of the eye of the storm. Allowed yourself to regroup.You’re not superwoman, Kat. You’re allowed to hurt, to feel everything you’re trying to process at the moment.”
She grunts and downs the rest of her wine before refilling her glass.
“Nope, definitely not superwoman,” she says, staring off into the darkness.
It’s then that I realise she’s serious.
“You’re one of the youngest, most successful CEOs in the hotel industry. Since taking over, the FHG has won more awards and been listed as one of the top destination hotels to visit in the world.”
Her lips tilt up, but she doesn’t turn around.
“You can talk, Mr Entrepreneur. You also pointed out that my life issad. That I have nothing else.”
She gets up and moves to the edge of the plunge pool.
“Sorry, this is not meant to be a pity party,” she says, scooping up her dress and sitting down, her legs dangling in the water.
She turns and faces me.
“I used to love watching you all in the pool. The camaraderie.”
