Chapter One
Nimita Chaudhary ignored the drop of sweat crawling down her back and gave herself over to the coolness afforded by the marble entryway in the open layout of the chic Hawaiian hotel. She straightened her shoulders and put a smile on her face so she looked like the elite Wanderlust flight attendant she had been until a few hours ago. She still wore the navy pencil skirt and iconic blouse and cap, after all. She would have to ignore that the heel of one of her navy pumps had broken at the last hotel. She limped with as much dignity as she could muster.
She was going to have to charm her way into a room. The last four places were all full, and she suspected that would be the case here. Maui in January was a tourism hotspot. But she needed a place to stay since her flight back home wasn’t for day and a half.
She loved this island, but she needed to get out of here. She had a lot to do back home, and none of it was going to be pretty.
She walked with purpose to the check-in desk, her roller bag behind her. “Hi.” She beamed and took in the name tag. “Leilani. How’s it going today?” She used her conspiratorial voice, so Leilani would notice they were both at the mercy of the hospitality industry.
Leilani smiled. “Oh.” She gave a tiny eye roll as she leaned toward Nimita. “You know how it can be—tourists from all over.”
Nimita nodded in commiseration. “Absolutely.” She sighed. “I just got dropped off with no notice, and my next shift isn’t for a bit, and I desperately need to get out of these heels, you know what I mean? Please tell me you have a small corner reserved for Wanderlust.” Her stomach decided that right now was the moment to growl loud enough so that not only Leilani but the two men checking in next to her could hear it.
However completely mortifying it was, the rumble was in line with what her past fifteen hours had looked like. She kept the smile frozen to her face, as if she hadn’t heard it.
Leilani grinned. The two men did a double-take.
“It’s been a long day,” Nimita said in Leilani’s direction. “Haven’t had a chance to find a snack yet.”
How could she when, upon landing in Hawaii, Nimita was informed that her behavior on the flight was unacceptable.
Now she was no longer employed by Wanderlust, and all over a spilled drink. One that happened to have landed on the lap of the daughter of a Wanderlust bigwig. Who was also quite literally the rudest person on the planet, and Nimita hadn’t been able to hold herself back from saying so.
“I’ll take whatever room you have, Wanderlust block or not,” she continued.
Leilani typed, and Nimita stole a glance at the men checking in. They looked vaguely familiar.
“I’m sorry.” Leilani looked up from her computer, tucking her dark wavy hair behind her ear. “We are completely booked.”
“No,” Nimita blurted out without thinking. She regained composure. “I mean. There has to besomething. I mean I know you usually keep a few rooms—”
“I’m so sorry. We really do try to help out the airline staff, but those rooms are full—”
“Then I’ll take another room.” Nimita fought the desperation in her voice. She was hungry, hot and exhausted. The flight had landed at 6:00 a.m., after she had worked the redeye. She was literally operating on fumes. “It doesn’t have to be for staff.”
“Nimita?” one of the men checking in asked.
Perfect. Whywouldn’tshe be recognized right now? She considered ignoring him and instantly realized that was impossible as Leilani was looking between her and the man who had said her name. She turned.
“Hi,” he said. “Karan Thakkar.” He pointed at his taller friend. “And Vishal Goswami.” He pointed to himself. “From high school? You used to tutor our friend, Roshan? Roshan Dave?”
She hadn’t heard that name in years. Possibly since the last time she had spoken with him. High school graduation. Her body tensed, and she was sure her face showed some anger. That was why they looked familiar. They had been Roshan’s best friends, always chomping at the bit, waiting for him to finish his sessions with her so they could hang out.
“Right.” She said, aware that her voice was uninviting. “It’s been a long time.” She turned back to Leilani.
She noticed the taller one—Karan?—nudging the one who had spoken to her, showing him something on his phone. No! It couldn’t already be out there, could it?
Vishal tapped her shoulder and motioned for her to move away from the desk.
She held up one finger to Leilani and stepped back.
“Um…is this you?” Vishal asked.
Nimita glanced at the phone. She knew what it was without even really looking. “Yes. But there are two sides—”
“You need a room?” His features had softened in concern.
Nimita turned back to the counter. “I’m sure that Leilani can find something.”
