“Personally, I think it’s awesome that they think we have too many things for them to do,” Slater added. “That means we’re doing our jobs and getting them to want to spend their time here and maybe even stay longer. So instead of a long weekend, they stay a week.”
“We all always stayed longer,” Axel said. “I mean, for me, we lived somewhat local so we’d come for two weeks, but then come back on weekends. But the rest of you were typically here for anywhere from two to four weeks.”
“To be fair, my family owned the place, so that’s why we stayed so long,” Walker explained.
“And since it was baseball season, this was a great place to come with my mom and grandparents instead of sitting at home while my dad traveled to play,” Slater said. “That’s why we stayed for several weeks. And as a kid, it was great to run around all day with you guys, but today’s kids don’t just entertain themselves. They need more guided activities, and I think we’re providing that.”
“I think we’re all looking at the feedback negatively,” Lexi chimed in. “Everyone’s been happy and pleasant, and they’re just commenting on the differences. Well, except for the TV thing, and that was only two older couples. I think we’re on the right track and should just focus on keeping things running smoothly. The big influx is going to hit Memorial Day weekend. I was discussing reservations with Morgan, and she said we’re at seventy percent occupancy. After that, we’re looking at close to one hundred percent through the summer. So your advertising campaign is definitely working.”
“Mom, can I go watch TV with Annabeth?” Jonah asked.
“Of course,” Lexi told him. “But wash your hands first, please!”
“Okay!” and the kids ran off happily.
Conversation turned to hiring more staff in all the departments and whether they were ready for it. But Connor had tuned out a bit from sheer exhaustion. They’d all been working seven days a week, and he was in dire need of a day off.
He and Lexi obviously saw each other every day, but they were both so tired by the time they were done with dinner that by the time they were heading back to their cabins, they realized they never had time alone.
Any.
Their sexy lunch breaks were a thing of the past because their schedules just weren’t as flexible anymore. And he missed her.
Like seriously missed her.
It was almost an ache at this point.
That’s when he realized it was something that needed to be put to the group—not the sex part, but how much they were all working.
“Um…I think there’s something important we’re not talking about,” he began carefully. Everyone stopped talking and looked at him. “We’ve all been working practically 24/7 for weeks now. I get that we are in the opening stages, but if we don’t force ourselves to take a day or two off, we’re going to be useless come Memorial Day, which—FYI—is two weeks away.”
“So what are you saying, Con? We need to take time off?” Axel asked almost incredulously. “What happens to the resort if we’re not here?”
“That’s the thing; we hired people to handle the day-to-day stuff. You all reminded me of that at Jayce and Kelsey’s wedding that we hired a very competent staff to handle things. If they can’t manage their jobs when we’re not fully booked, then they’re going to fail hard come summer. And I’m not suggesting we all take the same day off, but…I just think it’s something to consider.”
No one said anything right away, but it didn’t take long for everyone to agree.
“I wouldn’t say no to a few days away,” Harlow said to Walker. “We’ve been saying we wanted to go back and spend time at the new property.”
“Yeah, but…we also said we were going to wait until after we opened here,” he reminded her.
“Okay, but we still could use a couple of nights away. Maybe go back to that glamping resort?”
“Ooh…I was going to suggest that for me and Axel,” Maisie said with a laugh. “But I know it would be great to get to the city so I can pack up more of my things so maybe we can start moving up here to the suite.” She glanced at Axel. “What do you think?”
He smiled lovingly at her. “Whatever you want to do, beautiful girl.”
“But…?”
He laughed softly. “It’s not the most relaxing way to spend a few days off.”
“Good point. There are plenty of options, and we can decide on them later when we’re alone.” She winked at him.
Connor looked at Lexi. “I know that you can’t be gone at the same time that Slater is.” Then he paused and looked at Slater and then Walker. “Obviously, if I’m going to take time off, Lexi is coming with me.”
“Connor,” she whispered. “We’ve talked about this. I haven’t been here long enough for vacation days.” Her head was ducked, and he could tell she was embarrassed by the attention on her.
“Lex, you don’t have to worry,” Walker assured her. “You’ve been working just as hard as anyone else, and you’ve done more than anyone asked, so I think I speak for everyone when I say that you’re entitled to a few days off. With or without Connor.” He grinned before winking.
