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“Surprise!” my sister yells, arms open.
They’re both grinning as they envelop me in tight, loving hugs.
I squeeze them back, inhaling Daddy’s familiar scent of Old Spice and tobacco. “I’m shocked. Why are you here? How are you here?” I look behind them, but I don’t see anyone else coming through the doors. “Where are Mom, Todd, and the kids?”
“Todd is on a business trip. Dad wanted to come see you, and Mom demanded some grandma time with my rug rats. Since they can’t be out of school, I decided to come along. It’s an early birthday getaway for me.”
I’m beyond thrilled to see them, but my dad isn’t the type to impulsively hop on a plane to Hawaii. “Everything okay, Daddy?”
“Couldn’t be better.” He smiles….but his eyes are somber.
My chest clenches. “You sure? No one is sick or—”
“No,” he assures, taking my hand. “Everyone is fine. I promise.”
His expression softens into that gently reassuring expression he’s given me since childhood.
I relax. “I’m relieved. And I’m so happy to see you two! When did you get in?”
“About an hour ago,” my sister supplies.
They tell me about their flight. After they landed, they rented a car and drove straight to see me. They’re not staying at the hotel because Mariah found a great deal on a rental online and they’re spending a few extra days to experience the Big Island. They’re especially hoping I can spend Sunday with them.
“If we’re done working, absolutely.” I force a smile.
That’s my last day in paradise with Josh and Marcus. I planned to spend it in their arms, but maybe the time with family will give me some perspective about our relationship. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that I swore off men and commitment. In the last week, my sexy executives have treated me like both a princess and a woman. They’ve shown me they value me in a way Derrick never did. And they’ve made me rethink everything. Now the thought of being without them is like a physical pain, and they’ve given me no reason to think they want us to last beyond this trip.
I probably need to take a step back.
“Tell me all about your project,” Dad asks, glancing around the place with a critical eye. “When we pulled up, we barely had enough sunlight left for a glance at the land.”
I fill him in on everything—my impressions, my proposal, my vision. Since my dad has forgotten more about construction than I’ll ever know, I’d love his thoughts. “What do you think?”
He walks the room and heads to the windows in front, facing the ocean and the swaying palms visible in the moonlight. “I’d like to see it in the daylight to confirm, but my gut tells me you’re on the right track. This place could be a gold mine.”
“Exactly. Small and exclusive for people who will appreciate the quaint charm and will be grateful it’s nothing like Honolulu.”
“Exactly.” Suddenly, his stilted smile is back. “Hawaii agrees with you.”
I loved Phoenix growing up, and Boston has undeniable historic charm…but I’ve fallen for more than Josh and Marcus this week. “Hilo has been amazing.”
“Are you liking Force Financial so far?”
“It’s definitely different than working with you. I don’t have as much autonomy as I’m used to, and I sense that corporate politics could be a real thing if I let myself get tangled in them. But so far so good.”
“Tell me about the two guys who flew here with you. How are they to work with? Do they appreciate your knowledge? Are they giving you any problems?” My father sounds concerned.
I try not to blush. In the last week, Marcus and Josh haven’t given me many problems…but they have heaped more orgasms on me than I had in eight years with Derrick. I doubt my dad wants to hear that. “Mr. Hunt and Mr. Hennessey have been great to work with, guiding me through the financial side and corporate structure while we define a property acquisition process. I’m learning a lot.”
Just not totally about work.
“That’s great,” Daddy says, his smile still somehow off.
“They’ll be back with pizza in a few minutes. I’d love for you to meet them.” Especially my sister. She’s an exceptional judge of character. Part of me hopes she finds some terrible flaw in both of them that will help me fall out of love. My heart prays she doesn’t because I want them so desperately…and I’m so afraid of what comes next.
“I’d love to!” Mariah exclaims. “You look really good, Katie. Happy.”
My sister has always been observant, and I don’t need her guessing that I’m more sexually satisfied—and in love—than I’ve ever been.
