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Which is why her continued attitude into adulthood is extra obnoxious. I wouldn’t have to work if I didn’t want to. But I want to. I want to contribute.
I listen to the person on the other end of the line as I weave through the tables in the massive restaurant and push through a set of doors that takes me back outside.
After setting my bag down on a bench, I dig around with my free hand until I find my sunglasses and put them on.
The white chunky frames float, so if they fall off in the water, I should be able to catch them before they become pollution.
Hiking my bag back up, I make noises of understanding while I trail around the pools, past an open-air restaurant, and onto the sand.
The tiny bits of earth instantly cover my sandals, so I pause and slip them off, slapping them against my thigh before shoving them into my bag.
I keep nodding along, reassuring the director of our New York offices that this new acquisition won’t affect their location, as I select an empty lounge chair underneath one of the colorful umbrellas.
Since none of the other beachgoers are near enough to listen, I put my phone on speaker and drag my cover-up off, shoving it into my bag next to the sandals.
The man continues to talk while I pull my hair loose from its bun and twist it into one thick braid before I start reapplying my sunscreen.
I put some on this morning, but since my day got hijacked, it’s probably time to add more. Overkill is better than sitting on a plane sunburned.
When the director takes a moment to breathe, I finally cut in. “I promise you, nothing will change in your day-to-day. You just gotta trust me, alright? If you’re still feeling this way in three weeks, we can talk again.”
He makes a noise of agreement, and I hang up.
I hesitate with my phone in my hand, debating if I should leave it sitting right on top of my bag. If someone wants to steal it and deal with my calls while I’m relaxing in the surf and sun, so be it.
But alas, a stolen phone would only make my life more difficult, so I shove it down below my cover-up.
Then I smile as my feet sink into the warm sand while I make my way toward the waves.
Chapter 7
Luke
I situp from my reclined position, the pink swimsuit catching my attention. “Gotcha, Princess.”
Standing from my beach lounger, I pull my shirt up over my head.
“Yeah, that doesn’t make you sound like a stalker at all,” Jacob mumbles, draping his arm over his eyes.
I ignore him. And head toward the water.
Chapter 8
Natalie
Relaxing back,I let my body’s natural buoyancy take over as I look up at the bright blue sky.
My toes peek out of the water, and I float on my back in Mother Nature’s bowl of monster soup. My heartbeat just another drop in the ocean.
Part of me wishes I could transform into a mermaid and stay out here forever. Away from the pressures. Away from the phone calls and meetings.
But then a lap of water splashes over my chin, and I remind myself why I do what I do. Why I started working at my dad’s company when I was eighteen. Why I decided to do night classes rather than go the route of an on-campus college experience. Why I spent the last fourteen years working more hours than almost anyone, hiring the best in every field, arguing with Dad over decisions I feel passionate about, and forfeiting relationships.
I do it, all of it, because I know that if I achieve my goals, if I can take over as CEO of Wag Corp, then I can make a difference in this world.
So I’ll keep working.
But today…
