“Then maybe it’s time.” Esmeralda’s voice was gentle. “You’ve been living like a nun. The court case will eventually resolve. You’re allowed to want things.”
“Not things that will destroy my career.”
“Who says it has to destroy anything?” Carlos leaned back in his chair. “You keep it quiet. Enjoy yourself. It’s spring break.Half the island is having flings right now. Come on. When’s the last time you had fun?”
“I have fun.”
“Uploading old spreadsheets to do cloud doesn’t count,” Carlos fired back.
Sarah wanted to argue but couldn’t. When was the last time she’d done something just because she wanted to? Not because it was expected or professional or safe?
“It could be a disaster,” she said.
“Maybe.” Esmeralda shrugged. “Or maybe it could just be a few weeks of something good. As long as you’re both clear about what it is.”
“She’s young. She probably wants romance and feelings and all that.”
“So ask her. Talk to her.” Esmeralda picked up her tablet. “But don’t torture yourself over wanting someone. You’ve done enough of that.”
Sarah knew they were right. Logically, she knew. But the fear was still there, the years of hiding and pretending and making sure every move was calculated.
“I’ll think about it,” she said.
“Don’t think too hard. That’s your problem.” Carlos grabbed his tool belt. “I gotta fix a toilet. But seriously, Sarah. Live a little.” He exited with Esmeralda behind him.
After they left, Sarah went back to her office. She had emails to answer, schedules to review, vendors to call. Normal work. Safe work.
As she walked to her office, her phone rang. Mom flashed on the screen. Sarah sent it to voicemail. By the time she was at her desk, her phone buzzed with a voicemail notification.
She shouldn’t listen to it. Nothing good ever came from her mother’s calls. But she pressed play anyway.
Sarah, honey, it’s Mom. I know you’re busy, but I really need to talk to you. We got an eviction notice. Three months behind on rent and the landlord won’t give us any more time. We need five thousand to catch up and ....
Sarah deleted the message without listening to the rest. How could her mother call her and leave a message like this as if they conversed every week like clockwork?
Sarah had cut her parents off a long time ago, not wanting to fuel their bad habits. She hadn’t known that Billy had secretly given them money. Money they both knew amounted to hush money because he’d wanted to avoid her parent’s revealing things that were best left in the dark.
He’d meant well, but of course, now her parents expected it.
She rubbed her temples.
Sarah checked her schedule. Lizzie would be here already, going over the final details of this evening’s event. They were offering tours of Mallory Square for guests.
Most people liked to explore on their own, but some preferred the comfort of having the hotel van take them and pick them up. Tonight they’d have fifteen guests heading down to Mallory Square.
Usually, the shuttle ran 24/7 but for these special tours, they left the shuttle downtown during the events, to free up the second shuttler for back-and-forth service.
Sarah found them in the employee break room, going over the itinerary. Chrisla had maps pulled up on the computer and pointed out the best spots to park.
“The street performers get aggressive about tips,” Chrisla was saying. “Don’t let the kids feel pressured.”
Lizzie was taking notes on her phone. She looked up when Sarah walked in. The second they focused in on each other Sarah felt it again, that pull. That want. She looked away first.
“Just wanted to check in about tonight,” Sarah said, keeping her voice professional. “You have the van keys?”
“Picked them up this morning.” Chrisla held them up.
“Good.”
