“Of course,” he repeated, as he started my truck and began driving.
I couldn't believe how fast the week had gone by. Everything had gone so well. My staff was terrific, and it was as if everyone knew exactly what they needed to do in order to make it all work. We got our food, settled on the beach, and Rylan and Josh both listened attentively as I told them just how smoothly it had all gone.
“I am not surprised,” Josh said, smiling. “You were so wise to bring back so many of the people who had worked for Mr. Reynolds.”
“It just made sense to me,” I said, shrugging. “They all knew what they were doing, and there was no reason to try and start from scratch.”
“Exactly,” Josh said. “But you would be surprised at how many people feel that if they want to make a business of their own, they need to get rid of everyone and completely start over. I have seen so many people try that tactic, only to find that it all falls apart.”
I shook my head at the thought.
“You know what’s cool?” Rylan said.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“My friend Cory’s dad works for you.”
“Really?” I said.
“Yep! Mr. Phillips.”
“Wait, Carson? My chef?” I asked, turning to look at Rylan. “He’s your friend’s dad?”
Rylan nodded, a smug smile on his face.
Josh looked at him, surprised. “Why haven’t you mentioned this before?” Josh asked. “And how did I not know this? I have met Cory.”
“Cory and I didn’t really become friends until after the place shut down for a while. I mean, we knew each other at school and stuff, but we didn’t hang out or anything. By the time we started hanging out, his dad was working at a hotel in Beverly Hills and was hardly ever home, so you never met him. You only met Cory’s mom.”
Josh nodded. “That makes sense! But you knew that Mr. Phillips was coming to work for Miss Brenna. Why didn’t you say something then?”
Rylan shrugged. “Because Cory told me not to,” he said simply. “He told me his dad wanted to make sure that Miss Brenna really liked his work and didn’t feel like she was stuck with him just because Cory was my friend.”
“Wow, I really respect that,” I said.
“So do I!” Josh agreed.
“Yeah, I mean, I thought it was a little weird at first that I wasn’t allowed to say anything, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. But then Cory texted me today and told me that I didn’t have to keep it a secret anymore,” Rylan said.
“Did he say what made his dad change his mind?” Josh asked.
Rylan shook his head. “Not really. He just said that there was some meeting or something, and Miss Brenna made it clear that she thought Mr. Phillips was doing a good job, so he figured it would be alright if we told her about the connection.”
I smiled, knowing exactly what meeting he was talking about.
“What was this meeting?” Josh asked, reading the look on my face.
I shook my head, laughing at myself. “This afternoon, I met with the staff and let them know how much I appreciated all of their work, how successful the week had been, and how I couldn’t have done it without them,” I said, avoiding eye contact with Josh by playing with a string on the blanket.
“What else did you say?” Josh asked, smiling. “I know it has to be more than that because you won’t look at me. And also because it apparently helped Carson feel very secure in his position, and what you said was kind and true, but not exactly enough to give him that much confidence.”
I looked at Rylan and could see that he was trying not to laugh.
“You know, don’t you?” I said, blushing. “Carson told Cory, and Cory told you.”
Rylan nodded his head as he burst out laughing.
“Oh my goodness,” I said, covering my face with my hands.
