“Yeah.”
He studies me and, though I know it’s not a problem, nerves slide through me. I called him after we got together to inform him I was dating my assistant, something he was fine with, but talking to Rowan about my love life still feels strange.
“Sutton’s told me all about her, says she’s a great woman. I’m happy for you.” He grins, assessing me as we walk. “You seem settled here.”
“I am, strangely enough,” I say, waving to the landscaper, Mark, out in front of Daytrip.
“You were pissed when I sent you here,” Rowan says as we step inside. He looks around, visibly impressed, and pride rushes through me as I lead him to the office area.
“Pissed is probably a strong word, but yes. I was disappointed to be assigned the Seaside Point project.” I furrow my brows as I open my office door, holding it for him to enter, filtering through our conversations. “But I didn’t think I told you that, though.”
“You didn’t, but you don’t hide your feelings as well as you think.”
I laugh, shaking my head. He sits in the visitor's chair, gesturing for me to sit in my desk chair.
“Okay, well, I think disappointed was the right word. I expected something bigger after the Aspen project. This seemed like a step down at the time,” I say, and he nods in understanding. “But now I see it was the right move for me. I needed this challenge.”
He leans back, sizing me up. “So, what’s next?”
“What’s next?”
“Yeah. For you. What’s next for Graham Hawthorne?”
“I, uh…” I look over, spotting a colorful art piece June hung in the hall, and it gives me the confidence to speak honestly. “I want to stay here.”
Rowan smirks, though it’s not in a rude way,but in a knowing one I don’t quite understand.
“You want to stay? Graham Hawthorne, who usually leaves right after opening? Always on to the next location, the next project?”
“I know it’s not what you wanted, not what you hired me for, and if I need to take a pay or position cut, that’s fine. But I want to stay here in Seaside Point, and see this project through.”
Rowan stares at me, and unease slides through me.
I am so getting fucking fired today, aren’t I? I’m telling him I don’t want to work the position he gave me, that I want something altogether different. I wonder if this is how June felt in that convenience store, the panic of knowing you can have a sure, stable job, but realizing it’s the last thing you want.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Rowan says, breaking into my messy thoughts.
“You… you were hoping I’d say that?” The shock is clear in my voice.
“Absolutely,” he says. “You were made for Daytrip, Rowan. It’s clear to me that this is the project you came to this company to lead, and you’ve done a fantastic job at it. Why wouldn’t I want you to stay on, make sure it continues to succeed?” Relief moves through me rapidly, making me lightheaded, but he doesn’t stop surprising me. “But I don’t want you limited to just this location.”
I raise an eyebrow, heart pounding as Annette walks into the office.
Now I understand why Rowan kept glancing at the door.
He was waiting for Annette.But why is she here?
“Is it my turn now?” she asks. Rowan rolls his eyes, clearly exasperated by the CEO of Daydream Resorts and his own mentor.
“Sure, Annette, come in and derail my conversation, why don’t you?”
“I think you forgot this is my business,” the gorgeous older blonde says, sitting down on the chair beside him primly.
“I’m sorry, what...what is going on here?”
“Annette loves drama,” Rowan sighs. “Remember when she hired the Mavens to investigate The Keys without telling anyone?”
“Worked out pretty well for you, didn’t it?” she deadpans, giving Rowan a narrow-eyed look. He rolls his eyes, then turns to me.
