I slipped it off and laid it carefully beside me. My gray dress would hide most of the damage, but I could already see dirty streaks on it. I sighed. Luckily, I kept a change of clothes in my locker. I’d learned that lesson the hard way, after a kid had vomited on me when I’d first started working at the Windward.
“So, did you always want to work at the Windward Resort?” he asked.
“Yes. I never wanted to work anywhere else. That probably seems silly to you. A man who travels all around the world.”
“Explain it to me.”
“I grew up here. I lost my parents, and my aunt raised me. My mom and Emily were ten years apart, but really close. It wasn’t easy for a twenty-year-old to inherit an eight-year-old. We sort of grew up together. She’s like an aunt, mom, and sister all rolled into one.” I loved Emily completely. “She got married a few years later to an amazing man, and I have four cousins.”
“Four?”
I smiled at the thought of the rugrats. “They’re crazy, but I love them.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, Uncle Max died a few years ago.”
“God, I’m sorry. That’s a lot.”
I smiled again. “I pitch in. We’re family and I adore my cousins. Do you have any?”
“One cousin on my mother’s side. She’s older.”
I got the impression they didn’t see each other much. “Siblings?”
“No, thank God.”
I stayed silent.
He blew out a breath. “Neither of my parents’ subsequent marriages have lasted long, or been particularly healthy. Not the ideal environment for children.”
“No.” I wondered about his upbringing. I’m sure he didn’t lack for material things, but were his parents there to tuck him into bed, or watch his sports games, or help him with his homework? “Anyway, the Windward has always been the center of the town. Where everyone celebrates. Where you can meet new people from all around the country and the world. I loved visiting here, and in high school, I worked here on weekends. I worked housekeeping and reception and waited tables in the restaurant. I knew I’d study hospitality, and I knew that one day, I’d manage this place.”
He stared at me, and I shifted on the crate, suddenly self-conscious.
“Your passion shines through.”
“It’s my thing, my place. Ensuring guests have the best time possible makes me happy. The way I’m sure jet-setting around the world buying hotels makes you happy.”
He frowned, looking at the floor. “Yes.”
It was really getting warm. Some strands of my hair stuck to the side of my head, and if I had buttons, I’d undo a few.
“I bet this wasn’t how you expected to spend part of your day.”
He turned his head, and our faces were only inches apart. “No, it wasn’t.”
I felt…something. His eyes flashed and he stared at me. My heart did a small somersault in my chest.
Oh my God. This had to stop.
Professional was my middle name. I lived to be professional and good at my job. I didnotentertain any lustful thoughts about anyone I worked with. Especially when that person is the one who signed my paycheck.
And especially not the man who held the fate of my hotel and all its people in his hands.
“Tessa, I?—”
The ring of a cellphone cut through the moment.
“There’s a signal.” He stood, looked at his phone, and groaned.
It made him seem… human. I watched as he pressed the phone to his ear.