Page 33 of Inn To You

“Whenever it’s good for you. I can wait until after the bank meeting or—”

“No, you should go. Leave. Tomorrow.” She isn’t exactly pushing me to depart, but her voice rises with each word. Anger isn’t in the tenor. Her tone is more…resolved. And that feels worse.

“I don’t have to rush off.”

“No. Really.” She rambles again. “Why wait? Tomorrow is great.”

Tomorrow is also the day before her bank meeting. I’ve been hopeful that my kisses have helped her clear her head because the weight of her losing this place has been heavy. I’ve caught her often staring out the windows, arms wrapped protectively around her middle like she does. We haven’t discussed what she’ll do if she loses the place.

I can’t see her anyplace else.

Glancing around the office, I note the open slot mailbox, one for each room when people might have received letters at a hotel. The room keys are still metal with a plastic circle fob denoting the room number. The dark wood desk where Tessa told me her father worked. A nod to modern living is the single cup coffee maker on a metal stand and the desktop computer.

I turn back to her and quickly stand, but she takes a step back, cautious of my approach. Her hands lift, palms outright.

“Tessa.” My throat clogs for some reason.

“It’s all good. This is good.” She nods once while lowering her gaze, and then she spins away from me, rushing away from the front desk.

Fuck.

+ + +

I called Zack to meet me for lunch. “I’m out of my element here.”

“I’m not certain I understand what’s wrong with Lakeside.” We sit inside the game room of the inn, eating sandwiches I ordered from Crossroads Café.

“Not Lakeside. Tessa.”

“The innkeeper?” Zack smiles, looking over my shoulder while lowering his voice.

I shake my head. “She’s letting me leave for an interview in the Caribbean.”

Zack lowers his sandwich and sits back in his seat. “Another place called you?”

“The resort’s original candidate declined the opportunity. Now they want me.” My explanation doesn’t sound great to my own ears, and Zack has a questioning look on his face.

His mouth opens, and then clamps shut. He tips his head. “When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

Zack’s brows lift. “What about her bank interview?”

I’d asked Zack to intercede with the bank. He has connections because of Four Points, and the runaround Tessa was getting didn’t make sense. How long does it take to check someone’s credit in the modern age?

“I won’t be here.” The words taste sour, and suddenly, my turkey sandwich is staging a revolt in my stomach.

“I thought you wanted to help her.”

“I do.” Swiping a hand through my hair, I glance away from my younger brother.

“What about the inn? Her? And her son?”

My eyes close. This is why I haven’t taken anything further with Tessa. We’re only kissing, right? Nothing below the belt, at least since that first time. A few stolen moments to relieve some pressure. No emotions need to be involved. Only with every kiss we shared, the tension feels like it’s doubled in a new way. I want her. My dick hasn’t had the kind of workout my hand has given it in years. The sexual frustration is off the charts, but I haven’t given in for this reason.

I’m leaving.

“What about Tessa and Jonas?” I snap.