Chapter Nineteen
ELI
I ambledinto the conference room, my eyes immediately drawn to the dual windows framing the azure waters of the Florida Keys. Located in the same hallway that housed Jules’s and Harper’s offices, the aged wood floor creaked under my feet, giving the space a warm, inviting feel despite the serious nature of our gathering. We’d had to delay the meeting twice due to last-minute scheduling conflicts, but two weeks later, we were ready to hear about the future.
From my best friend, which was weird.
The long oak table dominated the center of the room, its uneven surface showing that it needed revarnishing. Worn, high-backed chairs lined either side, a contrast to the casual beach vibe that permeated the rest of Sunset Siesta. A flat-screen television hung on the wall at one end, with a collection of AV equipment below.
My eyes immediately found Jules across the table, her black hair twisted into that severe bun she favored at work.God, how I wanted to unravel it. She glanced up, those emerald eyes flickering with our shared secret. I couldn’t help the tiny smile that escaped as I slid into a chair.
“Well, well, look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Braden drawled as he relaxed in his chair. His hair was darker than mine but only because he didn’t work outside in the sun all day. His blue eyes lifted to the wall clock. “And a few minutes early, no less. Did you finally learn how to tell time, big brother?”
I pressed my hand to my chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know, I’ve always been punctual. It’s just that my watch runs on island time.”
Jules’s lips twitched, fighting a smile. My heart did a little flip—I loved making her laugh.
The door swung open, and Chase strode in, all six-foot-two of him radiating architectural professionalism and confidence. His gray suit and yellow tie cemented the image, and I straightened instinctively, like a student called to attention.
“Afternoon, everyone,” he said as he set his briefcase on the table.
A chorus of murmured greetings went around the room. As Chase unpacked his briefcase, his gaze landed on Harper. They exchanged a friendly smile. Then she fiddled with her hair as he moved to set up his presentation on the flat screen.
I leaned forward, elbows on the table. “So, Chase, what’s the verdict? Are we destined for financial ruin, or is there hope for us yet?”
Chase’s lips twitched as he passed around spiral-bound booklets to each of us,Sunset Siesta Renovation Plan and Proposalprinted on the cover page. “Love your optimism, Eli. Let’s get started, shall we?”
As he began his presentation, I dutifully opened mybooklet to find a detailed table of contents followed by page after page of detailed plans. I snuck another glance at Jules, who was bent over the proposal and inspecting it closely. I tore my eyes away from her mouth.
Chase’s voice snapped me back to attention as he advanced to a new slide on the monitor. “Let’s start with the positives. Braden, Tidal Hops has been a consistent bright spot. Revenue’s up fifteen percent from last year, and you bring in tourists and locals alike.”
I tried not to smirk as Braden grinned like the teacher just awarded him a gold star.
“What can I say? People like good beer.”
“And, Ben,” Chase continued, “your landscaping work has significantly improved the resort’s curb appeal. It’s making a difference in guest satisfaction scores.”
Ben nodded, a rare smile tugging at his lips. A resort baseball cap perched on his head, and he smelled faintly of fresh-cut grass.
Chase turned to me. “Eli, the dive shop’s numbers are solid. Your new equipment investment should start paying off quickly.”
A sense of pride surged in my chest, but unease quickly followed it. This felt like the calm before the storm.
“Now,” Chase’s tone shifted, “for the more pressing issues.”
I tensed, bracing myself. The conference room suddenly felt smaller, stuffier.
“The roofs need immediate attention.” Chase pulled up a series of photos he’d taken of rooms no longer in the booking system. “There’s significant water damage in several areas. The plumbing and electrical systems are outdated. They’re not up to code, and you’re risking major failures if you don’t address them soon.”
My stomach dropped as I stared at the pictures in mypresentation booklet. Moldy carpet, stains on the ceiling. You could practically smell the photos. How had we let it get this bad? I winced, imagining burst pipes flooding guest rooms, or worse, electrical fires. This was my family’s legacy, our home. And it was falling apart around us.
“On to the pool area.” Chase’s voice seemed to come from far away as I turned the pages. “The concrete is deteriorating. The filtration system is on its last legs…”
I couldn’t look at the pictures anymore and closed my booklet. But the reality looked right back at me from the wall, in vivid color. My gaze drifted to Jules, hoping for… what? Comfort? Reassurance? Her face was a mask of professionalism, but I saw the worry in her eyes.
“Now let’s talk about modernization and efficiency.” Chase moved to the next slide, revealing mockups of sleek, updated room designs. “Refer to chapter six. These renovations aren’t just about fixing what’s broken. They’re about long-term savings and increased appeal.”
I leaned forward, studying the images both on the screen and in my booklet. The rooms looked amazing, all coastal chic and modern amenities. But something nagged at me.
