“Sounds good to me.”
“I’ll set up a meeting. Just don’t expect me to wear a suit or anything fancy.”
That made him smile. “I think everyone would stroke out from shock.”
“Fine, I’ll be professional. Or at least as professional as someone can be while smelling like saltwater and sunscreen.” I poured out the last of the beer into our glasses.
“Good.” Chase nodded, satisfaction lighting his eyes. “We’ll figure this out together, all right? Just keep your head screwed on straight.”
“Thanks for the reminder, Captain Responsibility.” I smirked, but deep down, I knew he was right. I had to find a way to balance everything—the resort, my family’s future, and the secret romance that seemed to complicate it all. “I’m glad to have you on board, man.”
I expected a smart-ass comeback, but Chase stared back evenly.
“Thanks. I am too. I’m feeling hemmed in at work lately. I always thought I’d enjoy the security of a big firm, but lately, all the corporate bullshit is driving me up the wall. A big project like this is just what I need. Who knows, maybe I’ll strike out on my own someday.”
I cocked my head. “Your own firm?”
Chase stared into the distance, his gaze unfocused. “I’ve tossed the idea around a little. It’s a big risk, though, so it’s not something I’m looking at near term. Let’s get back to Sunset Siesta. That place is plenty of work to keep me occupied for a while.”
As we resumed discussing the details, my thoughts whirled. The idea of working closely with Jules on the project was definitely enticing, but it also stirred some worries about getting in over my head. Which, as a dive instructor, was something I usually didn’t worry about.
“Well, I’d better get going,” Chase said after draining the last of his beer. “That will give you time to catch up with your beloved tonight.”
“Shut up, asshole.”
His broad grin made me smile.
“More like it’ll give me some time to see how I can add Jules to the renovation team without setting off any landmines.”
“Landmines? You mean like your mother finding out about your little secret?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“Among other things.”
“Look, Jules is good at what she does. Her financial expertise is necessary for this whole project.” He paused, letting that sink in. “But you have to be careful, man. Keeping things quiet won’t be easy.”
“Yeah, I know.” I held up the dregs remaining in my glass. “To keeping life interesting.”
Chase left, and the silence that filled the space was thick enough to slice. My eyes landed on my phone, a rectangle I’d been trying to ignore all night. Whether I should call her.
Just to say hi.
Or to casually suggest she come over for a nightcap.
Except none of that was casual.
Neither was wanting to see her every single night. And that was a problem. The nagging, familiar fear of getting close clawed at me. This was new territory, and I hated being so unsure of myself.
“Hey, it’s just a phone call,” I reassured myself, settling in my chair again. I closed my eyes as the breeze brushed the hair off my forehead, but it couldn’t chase away the reality that I missed her.
When I opened my eyes again, they immediately landed on my phone.
