She gives me a look that says she’s skeptical. “I guess.”
“Okay, so let’s put the bathroom cleaning on the board for tomorrow. You can do the ones down in the coffee shop as well. Maybe we take your phone away for two days?—”
“Are you serious? I need my phone.”
Well, at least I know where her biggest weakness is. It’s hard to punish someone for something I probably would’ve done as well, but I can’t let it go completely.
“You will survive two days without it. You’ll be so much more grateful for it when you have it back. But for now, what do you want to do tonight? Takeout and a chick flick? Late night stroll along the beach?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light despite my worry.
She says nothing for a moment and then says, “Let’s stay in.”
And with that, I know there’s some hope. “Help me get things cleaned up downstairs first, and then we’ll get to work on that.”
I probably messed up the situation, but she smiled, so I guess I didn’t completely fail.
6
MAX
I’ve been in this town for all of two nights and already feel way more comfortable than I have in years. Decades, even.
Maybe it’s that no one has my phone number, so I don’t have the typical stressors in my life. Or that being here is nothing like living in New York.
As much as I thought Aiden was crazy for wanting us to purchase buildings here, I can see what he means by loving this place. I probably should’ve come sooner. Much, much sooner.
Is it a five-star resort? No, but it’s got charm and a lot of active people. People who keep surprising me.
Brock and Chloe are great, letting me know the B&B schedule is flexible for the next week or two and then things will be booked up. Not that I’ll be here that long. Then again, I don’t know. I just want to keep this feeling a little longer.
I slept well the past two nights considering I didn’t have all my extra help to get to sleep. I only packed clothes and my computer—out of habit—leaving the melatonin, sound machine, and all the other tips and tricks that usually help me get to sleep back in my penthouse. If all I needed was a nightnext to the ocean to feel more rested than I’ve felt in ten years, I know I’ve been way overstressed.
Breakfast is delicious and fills an entire table. I didn’t connect the breakfast part of the B&B, but I’m grateful for the food here. I sit down with a plate in front of me at the community table and pull out my phone. Most of the apps I typically check aren’t there, which is a good thing, but it also makes me twitchy.
Well-rested and forty-eight hours away from the chaos, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.
What does my gut currently tell me? That I should run away from Victoria and never look back.
But is it because I’m rebelling against what my parents are demanding of me? Or because a marriage to her would be the exact replica of my parents’ relationship?
A woman interrupts my thoughts as she walks into the room with a fresh jug of orange juice and a bright smile.
“Good morning. I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself yesterday. I’m Chloe, Brock’s wife. How did you sleep?”
“I’m Max, and I slept very well, thank you.”
“Perfect. Let me know if you need anything. Do you have plans in town today?”
I open my mouth to speak and then close it, realizing my day is completely open. I don’t think that’s happened since 2005.
Shaking my head no, I ask, “Do you have any recommendations? First timer, here. I already walked along the beach yesterday and visited the lighthouse.”
She smiles again. “Not a problem. Let me get out my notes so I know what’s open right now. Many businesses are getting ready for The Season, so they might not be open for customers yet.”
I tip my head back, intrigued by this information. Averymentioned something about The Season, and now Chloe. It’s like it’s a hurricane they’re preparing for.
Chloe comes back in less than a minute and thumbs through a small notebook. “Okay, it looks like the museum is open, along with the marina. You can hire a boat to go out on the water to fish, if that’s something you’d be interested in?”
“I haven’t been fishing in sixteen years,” I say, chuckling a bit. When I say it like that, I sound like I’m some old guy reminiscing on the good old days. But working as much as I have has taken away a lot of the normal, leisurely pursuits in my life.
