2
Ethan stared after the petite brunette woman who rushed out of there like the place was on fire.
“What was that about?” Jackson, Ethan’s brother, asked.
“She seems angry. I tried to lighten the mood, but I don’t think it was effective.”
Jackson snorted. “Yep. Pretty sure you failed.”
Ethan picked up his beer and took a long pull from it, feeling the liquid glide down his throat. It had been a hot day and even after a cold shower, he still felt like his body wasn’t cooling off.
“Today was rough.”
Jackson nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for helping, man. Hopefully, it won’t be for much longer.”
“It’s no problem. It was just a hot day. How’s Mia?”
“She’s good.” Jackson smiled. “We’re good.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“This year is the year.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“All of us to find partners.”
Ethan nearly choked on his beer. “Come again?”
“First it was Noah and then me. Now it’s yours or Miles’s turn.”
Ethan laughed. “Okay. I’ll pass. I’ll let Miles have this one.”
Jackson chuckled. “You’ll both find someone this year.”
Ethan gestured toward the door where Lily had just disappeared. “I don’t know, man. Pretty surethatwas a good sign that I’m nowhere close.”
“Never know. Maybe she’s your one.”
Ethan laughed, spluttering beer out of his mouth. He grabbed a napkin and dabbed at his chin.
“She seems hostile, and clearly uninterested in me.”
Jackson shrugged. “Maybe she’ll take her friend’s advice and come to you for a dicking.”
Ethan chuckled. “Maybe she will.”
But he knew that was unlikely. If she could, she would probably avoid him at all costs, but the resort had a way of bringing people together. Maybe because the town was small, but whatever it was, he knew he would see her again.
The bartender, Tessa, came by with their burgers and set them down.
“Anything else?”
“I think we’re good. Thanks,” Jackson said.
“How are things going at the resort?” she asked.
“Good,” he said. “We are really busy and a little short-staffed, so Ethan has been helping with ground maintenance when he isn’t doing activities with guests.”
