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Chapter 2
Atlas
Atlas placed his bag on the navy-blue comforter and stretched his neck from side to side. He walked over to the window and opened it. Salty sea air rushed into the room, the white curtains billowing. Seagulls cawed and sage-green waves crashed before they lapped at the sandy beach.
“Definitely not New York City,” he said to himself.
Turning, he took in the simple room. One large dresser swallowed up most of the space next to the door. It was white with the weathered look that seemed to be in style. To his left was a giant wrought-iron king bed covered with grey linen sheets with several over-stuffed pillows on top. Two bedside tables were tucked against the headboard on each side and topped with white honeycomb ceramic lamps. Each thoughtful piece added to the character of the inn.
He opened the white door to his right with the lighthouse painted on it. It was a small bathroom but included a large tub with jets. Atlas went back to the bed and lay on the mattress. He kicked off his dress shoes and folded his arms under his head to look out the large bay window. The real treasure of the bedroom was the view to the beach.
Bzzz. Bzzzz. Bzzzz.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at Oliver’s name flashing on the screen, and smiled before answering. “Calling to congratulate me, big brother?”
“On what?” Oliver asked.
“Me closing the deal on this inn.”
His brother scoffed. “Didn’t you just get there?”
“Ah, it’s only a matter of time. It’ll be a done deal in two weeks. Then you can kiss that CEO spot goodbye.” The innkeeper had been beautiful, but she was young—surely a large sum of money would convince her to be on her way soon enough.
“Your arrogance never ceases to amaze me.” Oliver chuckled. “You know as well as I do this is a lost cause.”
Atlas sat, his jaw ticcing. “Just because you couldn’t get it done doesn’t mean I can’t.”
“Look, bro. You wanna waste your time in Nowheresville, that’s your mistake. I called because I have some news,” Oliver said, his voice dipping.
Atlas’s brows furrowed. Did Mother and Father already name him the new CEO of the Remington empire? His stomach clenched. “What is it?” he asked cautiously.
“I thought you should know—you’re gonna be an uncle.”
Atlas sucked in a breath. “Wow. Christina must be ecstatic. The in vitro worked?”
“Third time’s the charm. She’s eighteen weeks.”
There was no need to ask why they’d waited so long to tell him. Her last two pregnancies hadn’t lasted more than 3 months. “I’m happy for you, Olli. Tell Christina I said congrats.”
“I will.”
Olli really had it all now. He had his parents’ approval, a wife who seemed to fit perfectly into his life, and a child on the way.
“Well, I’ve gotta go. Just wanted to let you know,” Oliver said.
“Thanks, man. Talk to you later.” Atlas tapped his screen and ended the call before he ran a hand over his face and let out a long breath.
The joy for his brother was quickly diminished by a sinking pressure building within him. His mother was sure to be on his case even more now that Oliver had checked all the boxes of perfect son. It was hard not to compare himself to his brother; people had done it all his life. Damn. He really needed to get his shit together. Not that he hadn’t been giving his all. Recognition wasn’t too much to ask for—especially after his hard work and sacrifice for the company. The inn owner was the only thing standing between this life of second-best purgatory and his happiness.
That green gaze of hers flashed in his mind. He’d nearly forgotten how to speak once he’d laid his eyes on her. Sure, he’d seen pictures of her on the website, but in person she was . . . stunning. She wasn’t the typical model type he normally found himself attracted to. Ms. Evans was a category all of her own in an exotic-beauty-meets-girl-next-door kind of way. She was a little rough around the edges—and jumpy—but their verbal exchange had proved she wasn’t immune to his charm.
His phone vibrated in his pocket again. Who is calling me now? Atlas pulled up his device, taking a deep breath and standing as he answered. “Mother.”
“Atlas, where are you?” she asked, managing to sound distracted and annoyed at the same time.
“I’m in Shattered Cove, New Hampshire, like we talked about.” He tried to hide the resentment in his voice with an even tone. Not that you ever listen to me anyways.
“I didn’t think you were serious. You know your brother couldn’t make any progress on that deal with the last owner. Why waste your time?”
