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Marcus nudges her to turn back. “Popped into your head? Just like that?”
“My dad calls me a property whisperer. According to him, I have a sense of how best to develop land for maximum value.”
Looking at her off-the-cuff drawings, I believe that.
Finally, the family in front of us hoists up their luggage and heads to the elevator. Then it’s our turn. Kate grabs a key to a room on the second floor of the resort. When Marcus steps up to the counter, it’s a different story.
The desk clerk frowns. “I’m afraid I don’t have your reservation in our system, Mr. Hunt.”
What the hell?
My best friend looks as annoyed as I feel. “Can you get me another room?”
“With the amateur surfing competition underway, we’re completely booked. I’m sorry. I can see about finding you a room elsewhere, but I don’t know how much luck we’ll have—at least until the competition is over on Sunday.”
“Do you have my reservation?” I give him the number and a copy of my confirmation.
After a few taps on the computer, the desk clerk smiles. “I do. Your suite is ready.”
“You can bunk with me,” I tell my best friend. “My room has two queen beds.”
“It does,” the desk clerk adds. “Along with a kitchenette and a private lanai with unobstructed Pacific views.”
“Do I have a choice?” Marcus grouses.
“Again, I’m very sorry,” the thirty-something Hawaiian man says. “For your troubles, I can give you a discount on your rate.” He rattles off a figure.
I’m not thrilled. Judging from Marcus’s expression, neither is he, but how many choices do we have? “Thank you.”
With more smiles and apologies, the desk clerk hands us our room keys, gives us coupons for free drinks to use during tomorrow’s happy hour, and sends us on our way.
“Dinner in fifteen?” I ask as we approach the elevators.
Kate hesitates. “I was going to stay in and work.”
“You have to eat.” Marcus gives her a concerned up-and-down. “I suggest a cheeseburger.”
“Are they good here?”
“Beats the shit out of me, but you could stand to put on a few pounds.”
Kate raises a brow. “I didn’t ask.”
Marcus likes his women with meat on their bones. For that matter, so do I. But diplomacy isn’t his strong suit, and I can’t let him alienate her. We have work to do…and chemistry to explore.
“What he means is, you look like it’s been a long day because it has been. I hate to think of you going to bed on an empty stomach, and you’ll be better equipped to launch into your job tomorrow if you’re not starving.”
Her face softens. “I appreciate that, but—”
“Something small,” I cajole. “A fresh salad? Some mahi-mahi? You know it will be amazing in Hawaii…”
“All right.” She sighs as the elevator dings. “Fifteen minutes.”
We head inside the small car. It seems automatic for me to settle on one side of her, Marcus on the other. She’s petite, especially in between us, the top of her head only reaching my jaw and Marcus’s beefy shoulder.
“Still think you could use a cheeseburger,” my pal mutters under his breath.
I shoot him a warning stare and reach for Kate’s suitcase. “Let me help you to your room.”
