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Lincoln’s eyebrows drew together as he considered this. Spencer and I exchanged looks. Sure, I agreed with Micheal and Alex. The one didn’t exist, and I was skeptical about falling in love and trusting someone with my whole heart… It was insane. However, there was no way I’d let Lincoln’s bubble of hope be destroyed.
I’d never seen him like this, so I’d wholeheartedly support his mission to win his woman back, just as he was always supportive of the rest of us.
“Alright, everyone. Pipe down,” I declared. “This is my birthday trip. If Lincoln wants to go to Hawaii to reconnect with…” I glanced at him.
“Charlotte.”
“Right, Charlotte. Then that’s what the fuck we’re going to do so get your sunscreen and speedos ready.”
Spencer chuckled when Alex groaned.
Micheal shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other what we did for the week. Lincoln gave me an appreciative look, and I nodded. Just because I was miserable, it didn’t mean one of my best friends shouldn’t pursue his happiness.
As the guys launched into chatter about our impromptu tropical getaway, I couldn’t help contemplating the whole love and romance thing further. I’d never experienced it, and since my father badgered me every other day about hooking up with some socialite who he thought was suitable for a Winchester, I probably never would.
After a while, I shrugged off the thought. I’d end up doing what Dad wanted and enter a relationship of convenience. After the way I ruined his life when I was born, I owed it to the old man.
2
CHARLOTTE
I stepped out of the confines of the employee quarters and blinked against the brilliant morning sun. As I strolled barefoot to the beach, I wiggled my toes to appreciate the feeling of the sand filtering through them.
I glanced at the colossal structure of the hotel on the other side of the wall. The contrast between our humble quarters and the opulent space for the guests made me smile. I preferred simplicity. Plus, the employees got the best perk… the beach was our backyard. When I reached the water’s edge, the warm breeze carried the scent of saltwater and tropical blooms. I inhaled to absorb it all.
“You gotta love it right, Char?” asked Kaia, a fellow staff member, as she walked past me with her surfboard. She was a native of Hawaii, and I envied her for having grown up in this paradise. By it, I knew she meant everything.
“Absolutely,” I said, smiling from ear to ear.
My dad would have loved waking up to this every morning, I thought as I gazed out at the blue expanse of the ocean. He was one reason I chose a job in Kohala, a long way from my hometown in Oregon. After he passed last year, I decided that I’d not only live for me but for him too in a way. He loved the outdoors, and so did I.
That’s why I liked working at Pacific Paradise as an adventure sports instructor. It was one of the best jobs I’d ever had. Well… Hawaii had stiff competition. Before I ended up here, I was in the Maldives, leading water sports excursions for another luxury resort. That job was pretty damn awesome. A wave of sadness hit me as I remembered why I left the job. Dad had gotten pretty sick, and I didn’t want to be too far away when he…
Taking another deep breath, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check on Mom. She seemed to be doing well after Dad, but with her, one could never tell if she was truly okay or merely putting up a brave front.
The phone rang twice before a sharp, “Charlotte…” greeted me.
Mom was pissed.
“Goodness, sweetie. I’ve been worried sick.”
“Hi, Mom.” I looked skyward. “You know that being a worry wart ages you faster, right?”
Her irritated huff made me smile as I stuck my toes into the water.
“I’ve been trying to reach you for days.” Her voice was tinged with exasperation.
I winced as guilt pricked me in the chest. “Yeah… I’m sorry about that. I was on a two-day hike with guests. You know how it is sometimes.”
“That’s how it is all the time,” she harrumphed. “That’s how it was when you were in college and then when you got it into your head to explore the Amazon. And don’t even get me started on your time in the Sahara Desert! I swear, Charlotte, you caused most of my gray hairs.”
I chuckled, knowing how melodramatic Mom got sometimes. “You don’t have to worry. I’m being careful.”
Wait, what was I saying? There was no telling Faye Brooks not to worry. Worry was what she specialized in.
“Honey, I know you’re every bit like your father… God rest his soul. That’s a great thing because he was an extraordinary man.”
I smiled. He sure was. Dad was so full of life and never afraid to dive into something new.
