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I held up my hand. “Hold up. I’m willing to think about the book. I’ve always wanted to write one, and you’re right. It would just be writing down what I know. But let’s focus on the course, and if the book makes sense, I’ll do it.”
“I’ll call Hailey and do more research for you. I want to see how feasible it is. I know she mentioned she was selling her books on book distributor sites but that she preferred selling in her own store. Something about one-on-one contact with her readers.”
Harper gathered her things and rushed out of the office, excited about a new thing to research. I suspected it was her favorite part of her job.
I hadn’t expected to write a book. I’d always been a service provider, but a course and a book would allow passive income.
I couldn’t help but think this would be my big break. I wouldn’t be reliant on couples choosing me. I’d have another stream of income that might be more reliable. I felt a pang when I realized I hadn’t shared any of this with Silas.
I justified it because he was my competitor. But it felt like something you’d share with a lover or someone you were getting to know better. I had a feeling he’d support it. But I couldn’t bring myself to share it. Not yet. Not when it was so new.
Seventeen
SILAS
On Sunday, something changed between me and Gia. It felt like she was it for me. The only problem was that Gia probably didn’t feel the same way. Every time we were together, we grew closer, and when she left, she created distance between us.
I kept putting off her brothers coming on the boat because I didn’t feel right about lying to them.
During the week, Gia traveled back and forth between her business and my resort. When she wasn’t with Emma and John, she was in constant contact with Harper, as if they were working on something big. But she hadn’t told me what it was, and I wasn’t sure she was planning to.
I had an uneasy feeling she was working on something that could negatively affect me. I didn’t want to believe she’d do that after how close we’d gotten, but she was a savvy businesswoman. She’d mentioned a few times that things were different for me. She didn’t have family money to fall back on, and she had something to prove to her father. I just hoped she wasn’t using me or plotting against me for her next big win.
I hadn’t managed to get her alone all week. On Friday, I joined her in her meeting with Emma at the restaurant. They were discussing the dinner menu with my chef, Brad.
“Surely, you don’t need to be here for this,” Gia said pleasantly, but I heard the underlying question:Don’t you have something better to do?
There were various options for salad on the table in front of them.
“I always eat lunch in the restaurant. It only makes sense to join you.”
“I don’t mind,” Emma said, smiling at me.
I was positive she thought it was her money and her family’s standing in the community that had me paying extra attention to her. In reality, I was here to see Gia.
Usually, I had no interest in weddings outside of the revenue they generated. People were more than willing to part with their money for a wedding. The fathers were all too eager to indulge their daughters in the one-day party.
Brad discussed the various options for salads and dressings before disappearing into the kitchen while we sampled them.
When we’d finished sampling the salads, Emma excused herself to go to the bathroom.
Gia hissed, “What are you doing here?”
I set my fork down, pleased that I’d finally gotten her alone. “You’ve been avoiding me all week.”
She narrowed her eyes on me. “I’ve been busy working.”
“What have you been working on?” I asked nonchalantly, as if my heart was beating out of my chest.
Gia rolled her eyes. “John and Emma’s wedding.”
I carefully watched her reaction. “You seem to be preoccupied with something else. You’re always on the phone with your office.”
“This may come as a surprise to you, but when I’m here, I can’t be working at my office. I need to be in contact to ensure things are running smoothly.”
“I can understand that, but it seems like something more than your usual workload.” Gia had been buzzing all week with this energy. It was how I felt when I got the bug to try something new.
Her shoulders lowered slightly. “I promise it has nothing to do with you.”
