Even if my brother would be okay with me being with any one of them. Which he would not.
“There is a real concern about increasing tourism.” I’m proud of myself for taking part in the discussion as though I wasn’t splitting my attention between Delia and the hunk table. “We, as a community, are already spread thin trying to accommodate the number of visitors was currently have. There are so manybed and breakfasts and other short-term housing that the local population cannot find adequate places to live long-term.”
Don’t get me wrong. I like to see our little town grow, and the beach is a great attraction, but I don’t want to see it grow so fast that it jeopardizes what we have.
The three friends are focused on the meeting. I know they want their plans approved, but I just can’t bring myself to green light it. That’s a real shame because I wouldn’t mind celebrating with any one of them.
I text Delia again.I’m about to scream. I can’t sit here and twiddle my thumbs, but I need to concentrate—and with these three?
A moment later, my phone vibrates.That looks like the Mount Rushmore of hunky guys. And they’re all rich?
I suppress a smile.Between them, they own a good two thirds of Verbena Bay. Probably own part of the Pacific Ocean for all I know.
So…you’re saying that you get to sit and stare at that for an hour or so and you’rebored? Speaking as a trained psychologist… you’re nuts.
“The tourism industry is failing.” That’s Tanya Moore. If there are bed and breakfasts that no one else will touch, she owns them. I think she has the record for the most citations of anytourism trap. “Since the fires, there aren’t nearly as many people coming here as there used to be.”
“It’s hard to get people to come see burned trees.” Aidan’s smile has teeth. If I weren’t sitting in a public place ostensibly taking notes, I would be squirming right now. He might look easygoing, but this is a guy who doesn’t back down from a challenge.
“We’re not increasing tourism, we’rereplacingit.” It’s not so much that Tanya disagrees with me, it’s that she says it like I’m a stupid child who can’t see the obvious.
“Infrastructure will follow the requirements.” Devlin says. “I have some numbers here…” He taps on his phone and mine dings. He sends a spreadsheet to me and the others, but not to Tanya or the resident “expert” who is still droning about impacts.
Look.Delia follows instantly. My phone is doing double duty today.You’re horny. Pick one and ask him out. Or ask him in. That’s probably closer to what you need anyway.
I can’t repress a snort, but Devlin thinks I’m reacting to his spreadsheet.
“I would ask you to look at the totals on line 120.” He glances down at his phone; the other two join him.
Tanya didn’t want to be in the group chat, so she gets left out. I try to care, but she’s been a pain in my backside for too long.She cut herself off from this, so she can just stew in her own resentment.
“The economic influence of our proposal is significant.”
I switch back to Delia.So…what would you have me do?
“Also, line 98 has a provision for added influx of visitors,” Devlin, always the bottom-line type, adds. I check and yes, there is a projection there for increased strain on the infrastructure.
I switch back because I haven’t finished my text to Delia.Right. How about I try something like this and see where it gets me. ‘Hey, you’re all so hot, I’d happily hook up with any one of you. How about you talk it over and decide. Whichever of you wants me, come and get me?’
I hit the send button with more force than I intend. I’m secretly hoping she can feel that tap to know how ridiculous she’s being.
Just then, all three of the men’s phones chime at the same time.
The breath leaves my body and all the blood drains from my face. I look down at my phone, though I don’t want to see.
I didn’t send it to Delia.
I sent it to the group chat.
Looking back up is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve been so horny all night I don’t have enough blood left in my face to blush and my heart has stopped mid-beat. The guys are comparing their phones and huddled together in a tight knot, occasionally glancing up at me.
For my part, I want to crawl under the table. Maybe spend the rest of my life there.
Tanya is still talking about her citations and history—who knows because I’m not listening anymore. Not when the hunks are over there whispering to each other.
There’s no way in hell I’m going to sit here under their scrutiny all night.
I bang my gavel. “Enough. Unless anyone has anythingnewto contribute, this meeting is adjourned.”
