Chapter Two
JULES
The numberson the spreadsheet flickered as I squinted at the screen, but they didn’t change. Then they went sideways, and my screen went dark.
“Oh, dammit. Guess it is Monday.”
I reached behind the monitor and fiddled with the cord, saying a little prayer that the magic trick would work. Some days it did and other days I had to smack my monitor to get it to behave. Today the gods smiled on me. My numbers came back to life, but that didn’t change the stark reality in front of me.
I had hoped for a bounce back after last quarter’s dismal performance, but there it was—red ink creeping dangerously close to the bottom line. My stomach knotted tighter with each passing second. The resort’s financial health dangled by a thread, and I could almost hear the ominous ticking of a clock in the background.
Approving some requests while denying others was part of my job. Not the most enjoyable part, but I wasn’t hereto be everyone’s best friend. And I applied a rigorous review process to every request, even my own. I had put off getting a new desktop for the last three years. The thing on my desk was a relic and made my already challenging job frustrating beyond measure. But my persistence and patience were about to pay off. I was a department of one, and even though we could use a second person to help me out, I had used the savings to carve out some funds for my desperately needed replacement. That was the one bright spot on the report before me. In another month, I wouldn’t have to cross my fingers every time I turned on my computer.
My office was a haven of order amidst the sunny chaos of a beach resort. A tidy desk with neatly stacked folders, a succulent plant that somehow managed to thrive despite my lack of attention, and the faint scent of coconut from the air freshener. Bright sunlight spilled through the panes, casting playful shadows on the walls and mocking my serious mood.
I tugged at my crisp white button-down shirt. My raven hair was coiled into its usual bun at the nape of my neck, and I itched to loosen it. I sighed and poked the blunt end of my pen into my scalp to relieve the pressure as I waited for the file to save. I could just picture the hamsters inside the CPU running on their little wheels.
Just then, a sharp knock sounded on my doorframe. I glanced up, expecting another staff member with a question about linens or towels. Instead, Eli Coleridge sauntered in and my day immediately went from bad to worse. Even though his casual smile lit up the room like the sun itself, our resort dive instructor was my least favorite person on the island.
“Julianne!” he called, his breezy tone instantly setting my teeth on edge.
“What do you want, Eli?”
“Well, I thought I’d drop by and discuss our dive equipment.”
He perched on the corner of my desk like he owned the place, all relaxed charm with his artfully messy hair catching the light. His indigo eyes sparkled with a hint of something. Was it mischief or just confidence? Either way, it grated on me. The man was infuriating and never took a thing seriously, which was ridiculous at his age. Though he was six years older, there was no doubt which of us was more mature.
“Isn’t this a bit too early for your daily dose of smarm?” I shot back, folding my arms.
“Too early? Nah, it’s never too early when you’re in paradise. Besides, it’s almost closing time.” He grinned wider, undeterred by my frosty demeanor. “Ready for the details? Come on, don’t tell me you’re not even slightly intrigued by the idea of upgrading our dive gear.”
“Intrigued? More like concerned,” I replied with a sinking in my gut. “We’re barely scraping by as it is. Don’t you think we should focus on keeping the lights on before splurging on new toys?”
“Not toys. Dive computers! New geariswhat keeps the lights on, Julianne.” That ridiculous smile finally faded as he stared at me evenly. “Don’t look at this as an expense. It’s an investment. Look, our dive computers are obsolete. All the divers in my group today remarked on it, which was embarrassing because they were absolutely right. We need new ones STAT.”
“Look, Eli, we can’t afford it,” I insisted, my voice firm. The large, ugly figures on my monitor still stared at me. “Maybe in a quarter or two, once I sort out the budget. Until then, we have to stick to basics.”
“Right, basics. I get it. But when things go south, you know who they’ll blame, right?”
“Of course they will blame me,” I snapped, frustration boiling over. “But I’m doing my job, unlike some people who think life is just one endless beach day!”
He stared hard at me, all traces of charm gone. “I take my job seriously, which you would know if you ever came by the dive shop. Believe it or not, people can have fun and be good at what they do. Which is how I know that old, outdated dive computers are a problem.”
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “I understand that. But can’t you just use those… pressure gauge things for a few more months?”
“Oh sure. Why don’t we just use horse collars instead of BCDs while we’re at it?”
I blinked, the reference sailing right over my head. My lips pressed into a thin line. Every discussion I had with this man was a battle. “What does that even mean? I have better things to do than argue with you, Eli.”
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I’m just saying, if we keep using outdated gear, we’ll be stuck in the past. And our guests will move on. Somewhere else.”
“Maybe if you focused on numbers instead of jokes, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I hated how he had this ability to unravel my focus.
“Numbers, right. The ever-comforting embrace of spreadsheets.” He glanced around my office, taking in the happy green plant and my meticulously organized bookcase. He cocked his head to the side as his eyes stopped on a shelf, puzzlement appearing in his lowered brows. “Why do you have old copies ofRobinson CrusoeandJourney to the Center of the Earth? Planning an escape? Works for me.”
“Those b-books are classics,” I shot back defensively,my cheeks warming despite myself. Now I was completely flummoxed. I stood and drew myself up to my full height, which wasn’t very impressive compared to his. Dammit. “And I enjoy a good adventure.”
“Yeah. Sure you do.” His laughter rang out, rich and teasing, and my anger flared hot.
