Everett’s muscles tightened. “A proposal?”
“Private,” Wolfe confirmed. “Strategic initiatives for Waikiki moving forward. His vision for the hotel once you’re back in New York.”
Everett waited, jaw ticking. Wolfe didn’t rush.
“Good guy,” Wolfe said simply. “Smart. Polished. Corporate enough to keep the board happy. But not the right fit for Waikiki.”
Everett blinked. “Why?”
Wolfe pulled a paper closer, tapping it with one finger. “He wants to eliminate your community partnerships. Cut the Hoku Foundation donation to one percent. Replace local contractors with mainland vendors to ‘elevate brand consistency.’ Cancel the cultural programming entirely. Says guests are coming for luxury, not the island.”
Every sentence hit like a slow, descending drumbeat. And for the first time, Everett felt territorial. Protective. Like someone had set a hand on something that mattered to him.
Wolfe’s voice cut through the static. “I’m replacing him.” His tone was pure business.
Everett sank back a little. “I didn’t know he sent anything like that.”
“I know you didn’t. That was part of the problem.” A few seconds passed as Everett sat with the decision. His boss blew out a breath. “The hotel reflects your vision, Hale. Not his.”
“It’s what you wanted. I used all your specs on the wish list.”
Wolfe gave a low laugh. “I know. Best job I’ve ever seen bringing the brand of Purity to life. But it went deeper for you. I could tell how much those programs meant, and it wasn’t fair to you or Matthew to keep him on. I’ll be moving him back to his previous position in Chicago, where he excelled.”
Wolfe continued. “Which brings me to this call. HQ signed off on your promotion this morning. Senior VP of Global Expansion. New York base. You’ll get the full package—bonus structure, travel perks, team of your own. Top of the ladder.”
There it was. The finish line. The reward. The life he’d fought for, bled for, shaped himself around. Wolfe waited. Everett opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Now that he’d received the official offer, Everett’s body pushed back with everything it had. His gut roiled, and sweat broke out on his skin, and he knew he couldn’t drag Kelsey back to Manhattan.
He wanted to stay here. He wanted to be with Rowan and build a life together.
Wolfe lifted a brow. “This is the part where most people start celebrating.”
Everett let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “I should be. God, I should be ecstatic. This is everything I worked for.”
“But?” Wolfe prompted.
Everett raked a hand through his hair, staring past the windows where ocean light flickered against the glass. “But I don’t want it.”
The truth hung in the air like a bomb detonating silently between them.
Wolfe didn’t blink. “Say it again.”
“I don’t want the promotion.” His voice was quiet even as his heart beat hard enough to explode from his chest. “I don’t want to go back to New York.”
A long pause. Then Wolfe nodded once, slow and knowing. “I wondered when you were going to admit that.”
Everett’s throat tightened. “I know what this looks like. I know the opportunities I’d be walking away from. But I don’t want to leave this island. Or my daughter’s happiness. Or—”
He stopped. Wolfe didn’t need her name.
“Rowan,” Wolfe said softly.
Everett closed his eyes. “Yeah.”
Wolfe leaned forward, forearms braced on his desk. “Listen carefully, Hale. Few men get a chance to figure out what actually makes them happy before the rest of their lives are carved in stone. You did. Don’t fuck that up.”
