That wasn’t an option. I wanted him at the inn so he was close, but I also needed my space. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to worry about being too loud because the old man was sleeping on our couch. I’d rather have Grady’s family up there with us; that’d be less embarrassing than my father knowing about my sex life.
Brook must’ve noticed the way my lip curled at his suggestion, because he quickly added, “But if we have a cancellation, I’ll block it for him.”
“Sounds good. When Jen gets here, tell her to get settled and then come up to the room.” Everything had been a whirlwind for the past twenty-four hours, and I wanted to sit down and talk with her a bit about how to handle this meeting with James.
“Will do.”
Another couple came downstairs to check out, so I eased my way past Brook, leaving him to work.
* * *
“Man,it’s no wonder you love it so much down here,” Jen gushed as she stretched out on one of the lounge chairs. Pax was down for his nap, giving his mom a much needed break. “Fair warning, once Grady gets down here, he might not want to leave.”
“I’d be okay with that.” I hadn’t mentioned the idea to them, figuring they’d never go for it, but having Jen closer would benefit all of us. She could take over the financials, maybe look through the past years to make sure James hadn’t done anything else that’d come back to bite us in the ass.
“Yeah? Because I’d love to get out of the city, but I don’t want you thinking it has anything to do with us worrying about how you’ll run the inn. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think it could be a success.”
“Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that. Sometimes I wonder what I’m getting myself into and worry I’m making an emotional decision rather than a logical one,” I admitted. A month ago, my life was on a very different course. No matter what I’d told Brook earlier, thereweretimes I questioned what I was doing. If not for him, I could have easily walked away and let James deal with the situation he’d created. “And yes, I’d seriously be cool with you guys coming down here.”
Jen shrugged. “Well, let’s get through today first, and then we can talk about who’s living where. Maybe once Grady and your dad are here, we’ll peek around at houses in the area. Can’t hurt to think about it.”
Jen closed her eyes, and a few minutes later, she was snoring, even though I knew she’d deny it. As carefully as I could, I moved the umbrella we kept on the balcony so she didn’t wake up with a nasty sunburn, and went inside. It’d been a long night without any decent sleep; maybe Jen had the right idea.
I stretched out on the couch, knowing better than to lie in the bed. If I did, I’d crash hard and not wake up if Pax or Jen needed me. I’d just fallen asleep when the door to the suite opened, and I startled awake.
“It’s just me,” Brook announced. I pulled myself up and looked over the top of the couch. “Crap, did I wake you?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay,” I reassured him. “What’s up?”
“James called. They’re going to be here in about twenty minutes.” He shuddered, and his shoulders tensed. “I get why someone’s escorting him here, but damn, I’m sick of seeing that dude with the beady eyes.”
So much for resting. I pushed off the couch and wandered into the bedroom, trying to find something more business casual than beach bum. Even if this meeting was with my uncle, I intended to walk in there and have him know I meant business.
“Is Jen going downstairs with you?” Brook asked as I adjusted the taps on the shower. “If she is, I could stay up here with Pax. Probably for the best if we keep him away from the bullshit.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
Jen had told me Brook had been his usual friendly self when she checked in, but I wasn’t sure if that was because he was damn good at his job or if he’d decided he was done being upset with me.
“Nope. We only have two check-ins today, and they’re both returning guests who won’t arrive until later in the evening. I’ll forward the phone up here, so I know if anyone needs anything.”
“And if they do?” I hated that Brook was still the go-to guy most of the time. My first task when I officially took over would be finding more help, because neither of us were going to work so much we resented the inn.
“I can text you. You’ll be on-site, so it shouldn’t be an issue for Jen to excuse herself if I have to run.”
Brook hopped up on the vanity and kept talking to me as I showered. When I turned off the water, he handed me a towel, not even trying to be sneaky as he checked out my body. He reached down and adjusted himself, and Ireallywished we had time for a quickie. Later. Business first; then if all went well, we could try to unwind later tonight. While I dressed, Brook told me he was going to find Jen and let her know the plan.
There wasdistinct shift in the air as Jen and I entered the lobby. James and the wannabe muscle who’d been lurking around were waiting for us in the library. I closed my eyes and took a few breaths, reminding myself why I was doing this. Jen curled her fingers around my forearm, digging her nails in just enough to grab my attention.
“You sure you’re up to this?” she asked, keeping her voice low enough we couldn’t be overheard.
“I could ask you the same question. You don’t have to be here if you don’t want. It’s not your mess.” I’d made the same offer several times this morning, and every time, Jen had rolled her eyes, reminding me that this was as beneficial to them as it was to me.
I felt underdressed walking into the library in khaki pants and a polo shirt. The goon wore his standard uniform of a black suit with a black shirt underneath. Even James was still wearing the shirt and tie he’d likely put on yesterday morning. Fortunately Jen was a woman whose presence demanded respect. She’d been almost giddy as she slid into a pair of heels and a navy blue dress. I got the impression she was happy to finally be getting back to work, even if it wasn’t her former corporate job.
We sat across the table from James, and before I could tell him my plans, Jen fanned out the contents of a manila folder. “Gentlemen, it’s my understanding that there have been some…issuesrecently surrounding the financial state of Bird Island Inn. I’m sure both of you will agree it’s in the best interests of the business, as well as all parties involved, that we find a solution as quickly as possible.” She sat a bit straighter, looking directly at the man in black. “If you don’t mind, I would appreciate a few minutes to discuss some business matters with Mr. Montgomery.”
“I’m not sure—”
