“We make the occasional exception, usually for guests we’ve known for a while, or friends of the family. Otherwise, we have agreements with some sister resorts who are happy to accommodate, if the guest wishes.”
“But they can’t stay here?”
“Oh no. That’s against policy. It’s in the acknowledgment you sign when you book.”
Evan let that information roll around in his brain for a moment. Did Lucy know he’d be screwed the second he arrived? Was that her special arrangement? No, it couldn’t be. That would mean the resort was in on it, andfuck over your exwould be a dicey marketing campaign.
Though not necessarily an unsuccessful one.
“Thanks for the information, Gracie. Would you excuse us for just a moment?”
“Oh, sure. Take your time.”
Evan nodded to Lennox to follow, and when the stubborngoat ignored him, grabbed his upper arm and dragged him into the adjoining room.
“What are you—? Take your hands off me this instant!”
“Shut it. We have a problem.”
“We?”
“Yes, we. You have no room, and I have no wife.”
“That sounds like ayouproblem to me.”
Evan sucked in his lips and counted to five. “You’re just gonna go home then? Back on the little plane?”
A visible shudder rolled across Lennox’s shoulders. “You heard her. They have sister resorts.”
“Right. So, are you going to the singles shack full of spring breakers, or theshut up, we’ll do Disney next yearfamily spot?”
Lennox uttered the most miserable of whimpers. This time, the shudder went all the way down his spine. “Okay, so we have a problem. What’s the solution?”
“We get married.”
You’d have thought he’d asked the man to eat a live squid.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Well, no. Not literally. You’re not exactly my type.”
“So, you want to lie?”
Evan rubbed a hand over his face and gritted his teeth. “Yes, Lennox. We’re going to lie. I’m not crawling back to Boston with my tail tucked when I have a perfectly good spouse I can rent for a couple of weeks.”
“Rent? I’m not some two-bit floozy.”
“Will you take four?”
That earned him a derogatory sniff.
“Five is my final offer.”
“How would this even work?”
Evan smiled as the sweet scent of victory wafted closer. Time for the killing blow.
“We can work out the details later. Are you in, or are youadmitting defeat to whoever screwed you over on that reservation?”
