Still, he recalled the old rule about keeping your friends close and enemies closer. Owen needed to see exactly where this was going, or if Isabel genuinely just wanted to manage his café because of what they'd just discussed. He would give her the benefit of the doubt, but he would maintain a very close watch on her daily operations. A strange, heavy feeling of déjà vu pressed against his chest. It was the exact same cautious logic he had used with Gillian before everything fell apart. A sharp pang squeezed his heart at the memory, but he forced the old trauma down, focusing only on the present.
The interview was wrapping up, and Owen realized he was reluctant to end the conversation.
"Well, I'm satisfied," Owen told her, closing the folder with a definitive nod. "As long as you're sure you want to do this and won't up and leave me in the middle of the season." He stood up, holding his hand out across the mahogany surface. "I'm happy to have you as my café manager."
Isabel’s eyes widened in absolute shock, and the dazzling smile that lifted her lips nearly made his heart stop completely. Somewhere at the back of his mind, a quiet warning bell began to ring, alerting him that he was heading straight into an emotional territory he had long ago decided never to step into again.
Isabel
Isabel felt her eyes widen as Owen’s words registered in her mind. Her heart pounded against her ribs with a sudden surge of excitement. He had actually given her the job.
"Thank you, Dr. Reed," Isabel breathed, reaching out to take his hand. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, remembering their earlier handshake when a distinct jolt of lightning had zapped up her arm, something she had only felt once before in her life and really didn't want to examine right now. The moment their warm hands touched, the exact same spark happened again, running straight to her heart. It took every single ounce of her self-control not to pull her hand back as if she had been burned.
"Please, call me Owen," Owen told her, a soft light settling into his eyes. "When is it convenient for you to start? I will make sure I'm available to take you through everything and show you the layout."
"As soon as you want me to," Isabel told him, her excitement growing.
"How about tomorrow afternoon?" Owen suggested, stepping toward the door.
"Sure, what time?" Isabel asked, wondering briefly if she sounded too eager.
"Two?" Owen asked.
"Perfect," Isabel said, reaching for the doorknob as he walked her to the threshold. "Until tomorrow then."
"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow," Owen confirmed, offering a final, polite nod.
Isabel left the private office, barely able to contain the pure glee bubbling in her chest.
"I got the job," she whispered quietly to herself as she headed for the elevator, eager to find Penny in the suite and tell her everything.
Before she could reach the call button, the heavy glass doors leading from the hotel grounds swung open, and Emma rushed into the foyer.
"Gran!" Emma cried, her face flushed from running and her eyes shining with excited joy. "Penny tells me that we've moved to the hotel? Is it true?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Isabel told her, wrapping her arm around her granddaughter's shoulders. "It's true. Want to come up to see the suite?"
"Yes," Emma stated as they climbed into the elevator together. She paused, looking up with a slight frown. "Is Uncle Darius here too? Aunt Penny said he's starting renovations on the beach house."
"No, sweetheart," Isabel answered, hating to lie to her but knowing it was far better for her to stay a kid and simply enjoy her summer vacation than get tangled in adult drama. "It's just you, me, and Penny."
"That's fine," Emma said, leaning against the handrail as the lift began to rise. "As long as Uncle Darius comes to visit and doesn't get too tied up with working on those renovations."
"I'm sure he'll stop by regularly," Isabel assured her, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Oh, and honey," she added with a warm smile. "What would you think about us maybe moving here to Sweet Blossom Bay?"
Emma's eyes widened to their absolute limits, hope shining brightly in her face. "You mean live here? Like for good?" She gave Isabel a sideways look as if assessing if this was a joke. “Like every day, and Sweet Blossom Bay would be our home?”
"Yes," Isabel nodded. "We'd have to move your school records, of course?—"
"Yes, oh, please, gran, yes!" Emma exclaimed, clapping her hands together and practically bouncing against the elevator wall. "There is a rumor that Sophia and Lily might be moving here too."
Isabel raised an eyebrow, an amused look touching her face. "Oh? A rumor? And where did you hear that?"
"Well..." Emma looked down at her sneakers, her cheeks heating with a bright flush. "We kinda overheard... We accidentally heard Michael and Maggie talking about it."
Isabel's brow rose in amusement. "Accidentally, huh?"
"Yeah," Emma admitted, flashing a cheeky grin.
