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“I’m just trying to help, man.”
I knew he meant well. He knew what had happened to Ben because he’d known Ben as well. They were close, though not nearly as close as he and I were. Ben had been my best friend since grade school.
“I miss him too,” Sean said, his voice low.
My fists balled up at my sides, but I forced myself to relax them by counting down from ten in my head. I didn’t want to punch Sean, and I wouldn’t. I knew he missed Ben. It would be impossible to know him and not miss him, he was a great guy.
“It’s not about me missing him, Sean. It’s the fact that I failed him.” I couldn’t believe the words had escaped my lips. So I quickly added, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
I picked up my pace as we approached my office. I could close the door and lock everyone out until I meditated or some shit. All the self-help books and all the knowledge I had about working through your trauma, none of it usually lasted for long, but it could help me forget for a few minutes at least.
Sean didn’t follow me, but he called after me instead.
“Well, when you are ready to talk about it, you know where to find me.”
21
Jason
Itechnically kept an eye on the restaurants at the resort too, though I had hired some of the best chefs in the country, and they didn’t need much hand holding typically. But I made my rounds most days, checking in and making sure they had everything they needed. They’d run their menus by me, not that I ever needed to change anything. It was a pretty easy gig overall, and if I wanted to, I could chill by the pool every day and evening too. But that got pretty boring after a while, which is why I worked at the bar. It was fun to be where everyone was at and making drinks, it was like a party every single night.
I stepped into the last restaurant for the morning where breakfast was still being served. A delightful spread of fresh tropical fruit, waffles, eggs... just about anything you could ask for, along with some of the best coffee in the country, something I had requested specifically.
I piled some pineapple and mango on my plate and got a cup of coffee, ready to settle in with a view of the mountains and the lake below. I scanned the outdoor patio for a seat when I saw a familiar face, her head buried in a book as she nibbled on a plate of food.
A smile stretched across my face as I headed her way. “Morning. Mind if I join you?”
She looked up from her book and seemed pleased to see me. “Oh hey, Jason. Of course, I’d love some company.”
“Good,” I said as I took the seat across from her.
“May I ask a question though?”
“Go for it,” I said, as I ate some of the pineapple.
She chuckled. “Do all of your guests get such one-on-one attention or is it just me?”
“You’re just special,” I said as I ate some more of the fruit.
“Well I feel special, thank you. You guys have been so great to me.”
“You deserve nothing less.”
She smiled wide as she nibbled on some fruit as well, her eyes staring into mine. I’d wanted to ask her how it was possible to have such blue eyes, especially with her hair jet black. It all looked natural; I didn’t think she colored her hair or wore contacts but she was almost too beautiful to be real.
“I feel like a queen or something around here,” she said.
I winked at her. “What does her highness have planned for the day?”
“Well seeing as I can finally enjoy myself and not have to worry about having a shadow, I was thinking of either lounging at one of the pools or going to the spa, but I haven't decided yet.”
“Both are amazing options,” I said. “Can’t go wrong with either.”
“Oh, I know. And I have plenty of time too, so I was thinking I might save the spa for a little later in the week. It’s supposed to be pretty warm today, and the water is calling my name.”
The sun was beating down on us, and even without checking the weather I had a feeling we were in for a hot day.
“Can’t say that I blame you, I bet that water will feel nice.”And I bet she will look fantastic in a bikini, I thought to myself.
