The words hang heavy in the room for a moment before Svea leans back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. I sit, holding my breath, waiting for her to respond. After what feels like an eternity, she’s on her feet, a wide grin on her face as she extends her hand toward me.
“I believe you have exactly what we need to make this resort successful, Rey,” she says, her voice brimming with conviction. “You can start as soon as you’re ready.”
The relief that washes over me is indescribable.
Her words ring in my ears, and I take her hand, shaking it firmly.
“I’ll need a few weeks,” I tell her. “I need to move my things into Zethe’s place, clear out and close my apartment. And I want to give my old employer a month’s notice, let them reassign my upcoming projects to my old coworkers. Would starting in a month be all right? If I finish early, I can start sooner.”
Svea’s nod is enthusiastic, her grip strong and reassuring. “A month sounds perfect, Rey. It’ll give you time to settle in, get to know the resort better.” She winks at me, her amusement clear. “And I’m sure you’ll want to explore more of Zethe, too.”
A blush heats my cheeks, and I laugh despite my embarrassment. “Thank you, Svea. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Welcome to the Starlight Resort team, Rey,” she says, her voice warm. “We’re lucky to have you.”
Twenty-Two
Zethe
Awave of laughter washes over the Cursed Crab as Zero nudges me, the large orc brimming with mischief. “Bet you’re nervous about Rey talking to Svea, aren’t ya?” He chuckles, gulping down his mead.
I give Zero a sidelong glance, tentacles coiling around my drink. “Should I be?” I question, turning my gaze back to my drink, worry creeping in.
Zero shrugs nonchalantly, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes. “Who knows? Maybe talks went well and they are talking about Knitting and Bitching Sundays.”
Sage, the Naga gardener, slithers in on the conversation, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “My Zoe adores those nights. Gives me some peace and quiet to catch up with my folks.”
Zero lets out another hearty laugh, shaking his head at Sage. “Must be nice to finally find your fated mate after so many years of searching, eh Zethe? First Sage, and now you.”
Their words spark a sense of curiosity and a tinge of envy. “And what about you two? Orcs have some of the highest mate-finding success rates, what with all your clan gatherings.”
Eli sighs, resting his chin in his massive palm. “Just ’cause we have a lot of gatherings, doesn’t mean our fated mate will be there. Our mate could be from another clan we never interact with.”
“Or living independently in the city, or at some place like this resort,” Zero adds, frowning as he gulps his drink.
My frown deepens, but an idea begins to form. “There must be something Rey could do… Maybe design a fated mates matching app?”
My tentacles curl tightly around my glass, the cool condensation a sharp contrast to the heat coursing through me. Zero’s wide-eyed look of surprise is almost comical.
“She can do that? Really? Make an app?” he asks, disbelief coloring his words.
A shrug ripples through my body, tentacles and all. “I don’t see why not,” I reply, my mind already envisioning the possibilities. “Even if she can’t, I’m sure she knows people who can.”
Eli’s eyes gleam with excitement. He leans in closer, almost toppling his drink in the process. “Imagine if she could tie the app to the resort, inviting matches to stay and discover their mates here. They might even leave together!”
A ripple of laughter spreads through us. Sage, the ever-calm Naga, chuckles at the thought. “Or maybe they get matched with a staff member and get invited to live here. Like Zoe and Rey.”
The thought is intoxicating, a wave of hope and excitement flooding the room. We toast to the idea, drinks clinking together in the middle of the table.
Who knows? Maybe this wild idea could become a reality after all.
The loud chatter and boisterous laughter in the bar must have attracted their attention, because Rey, Zoe, and Svea make their way toward us.
Rey’s eyes, sparkling with curiosity, scan the faces around the table before settling on mine.
“What’s going on?” she asks, a playful smile curling her lips. “Zethe, what are you up to?”
I run a hand through my hair, looking at the guys who give me encouraging nods, and then back at Rey.
