“Hi! I’m wondering where you recommend for breakfast.”
“Well, if you’re looking for full-service, the Lotus Café has a wonderful brunch menu. And we also offer a poolside buffet breakfast until eleven.”
“The buffet sounds great,” I tell Ash, then fire off a text to Seb, telling him to meet me there.
When I get to the pool deck, I forgo the mimosa bar, though it is tempting, and instead, fix myself an iced coffee with sugar and almond milk. There’s a tower of fresh fruit and a man making smoothies to order, so I get a green juice too.
I’m looking for an empty table when Dani waves me over to where she’s standing by the omelet station.
“Double fisting this morning?” She gestures at my two beverages.
“I couldn’t decide between the two.” I shrug. “You’re here early. Are you working brunch?”
Dani sighs. “No, I’m off today. Normally, Ash and I like to coordinate our days off, but—”
“Yeah.” I incline my head back toward the lobby. “I saw her at the front desk. So what’s your plan for the day? Besides lurking by the fresh eggs?”
“Probably read through this portfolio from a new winery the hotel is considering partnering with,” Dani says with another sigh. “The Food and Beverage Director is trying to train me up to be his replacement when he retires, so he’s beenlooping me in on all the boring business aspects of the job.” She rolls her eyes fondly. “Hopefully, we’ll at least get to do some taste testing. Anyway, I’ll do that, and then I have to make a cake for Mason’s birthday tonight—you know Mason, right? The snorkel instructor you completely bailed on.” Dani arches an eyebrow at me and folds her arms.
“Shit, he told you about that?” I wince. “Not my finest moment. He didn’t get in trouble or anything, did he?”
Dani waves a hand. “Nah, it was fine. He brought your tote bag back to the front desk himself. Made for a good story. We like to trade our most ridiculous guest anecdotes, and you spontaneously jumping ship definitely won that night.”
“Well, happy I could help, I guess.”
“You should come by the party tonight,” Dani says.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “I wouldn’t want to crash…”
“Totally.” Dani nods. “Some of Mason’s other friends are coming, too, so it won’t just be staff.”
“Okay, that sounds great. Thanks for the invite.” We exchange numbers so Dani can text me the details.
“I’m so glad you’re going to come! I’m dying to hear about the hot guy who was making eyes at you last night. Working behind the bar, I’ve seen dudes try a lot of things to get a woman into bed, but a shot ofranch dressing? That was a first.”
“Oh,” I blush. “Actually, that was my ex-fiancé. The one I told you about.”
“Really. That’s the soulless asshole who brought his new girlfriend on his ex-fiancée’s honeymoon trip?”
“That’s the one.” I take a long drag from my iced coffee.
“Damn…” Dani says.
“My thoughts exactly. Though in his defense I may havejumped the gun on the ‘new girlfriend’ thing. That said, there’s clearly some kind of vibe going on between him and his coworker.”
“It’s so weird,” Dani says, the tone of amazement still in her voice.
“What’s weird?” There are so many things weird about this situation that I can’t be sure which one she’s referring to.
“Well, he doesn’tlooklike evil incarnate. But I guess that sweet, lovesick-puppy thing I saw last night was just a mask to hide the horror within. I hate when that happens.”
I laugh. Her description of Jamie as a supervillain is so over-the-top. It feels good to be able to see the comical side of this situation instead of wallowing in all the mixed-up feelings that seeing Jamie again has brought up.
Dani glances down at her phone. “Ugh, okay, I have to go home and get started reviewing those docs. Don’t fall for any handsome devils while I’m gone.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“And hey, have fun horseback riding! Unless…” she says, drawing out the word with relish, “you’ve already got something—or rather, someone—else to ride?”
