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“I mean what do you do with your time?” the woman asked. “I know that Marv here works with his parents when they request his assistance, but he’s such a smart boy he was snapped up so quickly by another corporation. What was it called again? Islands? No, it was some floweryname…”
“Iris, Mrs. Foster,” Marv supplied. “I work forIris.”
“Yes! That one.” She didn’t bother to correct him about her name again, and turned her focus back to me. “So, what do youdo?”
“I’m going to school right now,” I supplied. “Working towards adegree.”
“Oh, how wonderful. What are you going for? Biology? Chemistry? There’s so much available in those industries right now, especially in the research field. Isn’t that right, Darling?” she asked her husband. Mr. Foster’s face was lethargic, but he managed a nod at herinsistence.
“Well,” I began. “I’m interested in a few different subjects. So, I’m undecided at themoment.”
“What subjects are you considering?” Her wine glass was half empty and she set it to the side as more waiters approached the table to set out the first course of clamchowder.
“I think architecture and technology are both interesting,” I said. One reminded me of Knix and the other reminded me ofTexas.
“Oh, those industries already have too many people. So many are pouring into the technology industry, they have an oversupply. You’ll never get a job with that.” She waved her hands as she leaned over and sipped from a small spoon resting in her chowder. I did the same, my muscles tightening. Mrs. Foster seemed a well-meaning person, but her interrogation was more stressful than easy going. “What else were youconsidering?”
I held my spoon above the bowl and looked at her. “All I want to do is help people,” I admitted. “It honestly doesn’t matter what industry I end up in or what company or job I end up with.” I sat up straighter, feeling Marv’s gaze on me. “I just want to make a difference in people’s lives. If I can do that, then I’ll befine.”
The old woman’s eyes twinkled. “Good choice, Dear. Goodchoice.”
* * *
Icameawake slower than usual, my eyes refusing to open. I was encased in warmth and the wonderful smell of ocean and coffee. I flipped over and snuggled into a heated side before I realized what I was doing and my eyes poppedopen.
“Morning,” Marv said, his gray eyesbright.
“How long have you been up?” Iasked.
He shrugged, tossing the covers away as he sat up. “Few minutes.” He stretched his arms over his head and I could see the veins just under his skin on the paler sides of his underarms. Marv reached over during my distraction and popped me lightly, teasingly, on the thigh. “Get up and get dressed. Texas will be heresoon.”
“What?” I reached over to slap him back, but he was already crawling out of the bed. I grunted as I rolled and almost fell off of the mattress. “Why?”
“You’ll findout.”
I groaned, but did as he asked. When we were in the common area and the smell of brewing coffee already scented the air, there was a brief knock on the door and with his cup in hand, Marvanswered.
“Coffee?” Texas’ voice perked up the room. “Do you have any cream orsugar?”
“Why ruin a good thing?” Marv sat back on the couch, lounging like the elegant, wealthy gentleman that hewas.
“You mean make it better?” Texas shot back. “Knix, I think he means that I make everything better.” My head turned as Knix walked into the room, taking up more than his fair share of space. Not that he could help it. Everything seemed so dainty when he was in the room. His dark-brown eyes scanned over me before he strode to the living area and plunked down on the seat across fromme.
After Texas successfully found the cream and sugar, and joined Marv on the couch across from Knix and me, Knix sat forward and addressed theroom.
“Here’s the update,” he announced. “Mr. and Mrs. Foster’s room set off an alarm last night. Texas has set upa–”
A knock interrupted his sentence and all eyes turned to the door. As if they had choreographed their movements, Knix and Texas stood and ushered me into the bedroom while Marv went for the door. Knix pointed to me and then to the bed with a firm set to his mouth. I wanted to argue, but one look back at Texas’ serious expression, I decided against it, doing as they wished, andsat.
The guys stood just behind the door, their ears close enough to eavesdrop. Even from the bed I could hear Marv’s tone, first surprised, and then concerned. A few moments later and Marv opened the bedroom door. Texas scrambled back towards the bed to stand over me. Knix stood, like an unmoving mountain until whoever passed through the door with Marv was in sight. I watched his tense shouldersdeflate.
Jonathan, the concierge who had first greeted Marv and I and shown us to our suite, came through with a younger woman. She had smooth, tan skin and a deep worried look in her brown eyes. The beauty mark below the side of her mouth trembled with herlips.
“We have a complication,” Marvbegan.
Knix looked at the young woman and Jonathan and, with a sigh, nodded them towards the living room. After everyone was seated once more, Marv explained that the young woman with Jonathan, Beth, was his daughter-in-law. Jonathan had worked for Marv’s parents at their charity events before, but he had never worked on Sweratt Island. Because he had recognized Marv and knew his family, he had thought it best to comehere.
“It’s begun,” Marv said. “Jonathan, do you want to tell us what youknow?”
