Nick stood at the head of the polished table with Nettie, the facilities manager, radiating controlled authority as always. David leaned back in his chair near the windows, scrolling through something on his phone with the distracted focus of someone monitoring three things at once, his chaos contained only by his brilliance. Unexpected muscles peaked out from under his short sleeves. Emma’s lips quirked: Lena was right. He was a hot geek.
Peggy, the housekeeping manager, and Keith, the finance lead, sat opposite each other, reviewing documents, both wearing the same pre-opening uniform of khakis and resort polos.
Her eyes gravitated to Zach as he stood at the window, arms folded across his massive chest, scanning the undefined horizon like the storm might arrive if he looked away. He too was in khakis, but his looked tactical, and he wore a dry-fit T-shirt that only emphasized the rock-hard muscles of his chest.
He was observing the room in the reflection. Watching her.
She shifted in her chair, unsettled.
She didn’t look at him, but she felt his presence the way she noticed a shift in air pressure before rain. She struggled to keep her eyes from drifting back to him.
Nick looked up as the last stragglers entered. “Let’s get started.”
Chairs settled. Conversations stopped.
Nick tapped the screen embedded in the table, and the wall monitor flickered to life. Weather radar filled the display—a sprawling mass of green and yellow pushing northwest across open water.
“Tropical disturbance forming about four hundred miles offshore,” Nick began. “National Hurricane Center upgraded it to a tropical depression this morning. Current models show it strengthening over the next forty-eight hours.”
Steph, the marina manager, leaned forward. “Projected path?”
“Variable,” David replied without looking up from his phone. “Three models have it turning northeast and staying offshore. Two have it continuing west-northwest. Straight toward us.”
Emma considered the radar loops. The system wasn't organized yet, but living in Florida had taught her that meant little. Storms had a nasty habit of surprising people.
“We’re not panicking,” Nick said. “But we are preparing. Standard hurricane protocol goes into effect as of this afternoon.”
Nettie nodded, already making notes. “I’ll get crews started on securing outdoor furniture and equipment. Since we haven’t furnished the balconies, that will save a lot of time. Hurricane shutters can be deployed within hours if needed. David has them rigged for electronic deployment. We’ll run a last test today to ensure they are all working. Backup generators are fueled and tested. Water reserves are at capacity.”
“Good,” Nick said. “I want daily status reports until this thing either turns or dissipates.”
Emma set her coffee down. “What’s the plan for staff housing?”
All eyes shifted toward her.
“Most of the construction crew are housed in temporary quarters near the marina,” she continued. “If we need to evacuate, we’re looking at transporting over two hundred people off the island with limited vessel capacity. I’d like to establish clear communication protocols and identify essential personnel who’d stay behind.”
“Evacuate? The storm is nowhere near that point. We’re too close to opening to even think of that!” Keith's look of shock was amusing, but ridiculous given their current location.
“Whether it’s needed this week or next year, a plan should still exist. Since there is a threat on the horizon, it would be better to over-plan now than to ignore the possibility and end up wrong.” Emma replied smoothly.
Zach spoke for the first time. “Evacuation is a possibility if the storm strengthens. We’re too far out to know, but Emma is correct. We need to have plans in place.”
Nick agreed. “Emma, please coordinate with Samson on construction, and work with Nettie and Steph on transport contingencies. Priority goes to non-essential staff first.”
He tapped the table once, a pensive look on his face. “The temporary quarters are scheduled to be removed next week?”
“Yes, beginning Tuesday.” Samson replied.
“Verify how long it will take. If it's more than two days, have them start on it immediately.”
“Got it.” Samson jotted a note on his pad.
Emma made a note. “I’ll have a preliminary evacuation plan by the end of day.” She swept her gaze over the managers present. “I’ll get with each of you for feedback. We’ll need to establish the final storm team who would stay on island, and the evacuation order of all non-essential personnel.”
“Great. I’ll leave it to you, Emma. Zach,” Nick said. “Security perspective?”
Zach turned from the window. When he spoke, the room seemed to lean toward him without anyone consciously moving.
