15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter fifteen
Kennedy
Lana: Just checking in! I miss your face. The house is way too quiet without you.
Me: Miss you too! Gah, how are the plant babies?
Lana: Surprisingly, I’ve kept them alive. How’s hottie mc hottie?
Me: As annoying as ever.
Lana: You like him.
Me: Why would you think that?
Lana: You didn’t correct his name *wink emoji*
The entire drive to the administration office, all I could think about was last night. Tristan wanted a truce, and while I thought it was silly to ask, I’m glad he did.
Guilt swam in my stomach as he recounted everything he’s had to endure in his life. Suddenly, the Golden Boy nickname tasted sour. Never once did I stop to assume that his life wasn’t as easy as I made it out to be. I just assumed that he was the typical rich boy who flooded the streets of NYU. I never thought he might not have wanted this lifestyle.
Jayden drives us through the winding roads as I stare out the passenger window. This is now our third drive to Castries together, and I refused to sit in the back seat. He might be chauffeuring me around, but I won’t treat him like the help. Besides, we've spent hours in the car getting to know each other. Jayden is nineteen, a huge American football fan, and loves cars. It’s why he took the job at the resort, since we have luxury cars on standby to use for guest transportation.
Pulling into the parking lot, Jayden wishes me good luck as I step out of the pearl-white BMW. With a tight-lipped smile, I thank him before closing the door behind me. Poor guy has had to spend the last few days keeping himself busy while I wait. Fingers crossed today is the day I get my meeting.
The receptionist's eyes snap to mine as I enter, and I watch the wall go over her eyes. Clearly, she’s as annoyed at seeing me as I am being here for the third time.
“Martin is ready for you.” Her voice startles me.
“Good morning!” I let my cheeriness make up for her lack of welcome. She harrumphs in return.
Heat clings to my skin as I walk across the lobby and find my way into Martin’s office. I rap my knuckles against the closed door, announcing my entrance, before stepping inside the quaint office. Sitting behind a desk is Martin, the man I've been desperately trying to talk to all week. His wire-framed glasses sit perched on his nose as he watches me enter his space.
“Ah, good morning, Miss…” he trails off, shuffling through papers on his desk.
“Miss Reed, but please call me Kennedy.”
“Right, of course. Kennedy Reed from Nelson’s Signature Hotels and Resorts,” Martin replies, his voice dripping with false niceties.
As I take a seat across from him, he squirms in his chair. “You’ve been a hard man to track down.”
“Work never ends,” he pauses with a sigh. “I understand Nelson’s Signatures is interested in expanding the resort.”
“Yes, sir.” Removing the file folder from my purse, I flip open the manila cover and hand him over the documents. “We’ve put together a detailed proposal outlining all of your concerns, as well as providing the blueprints for your inspection.”
He purses his lips as he pulls the documents closer to read over. After a few seconds—but what feels like minutes of awkward silence—he shuts the folder and tosses it on his desk. “We’re primarily concerned with the environmental impact and precedent this project could set.”
I nod. “Of course. We completely understand your concerns, and we’ve addressed them in our proposal. Nelson Signature is committed to ensuring this project is environmentally sustainable and beneficial for the community.”
He scoffs. “Please elaborate how on earth your resort could possibly be beneficial to us locals.”
Nerves course through my veins as I stare at the man sitting across the desk. He’s not going to make this easy, which means, I’m going to paste on a pretty smile and win him over with my pitch .
“We understand the locals' concerns based on the negative feedback from the previous resort owners. The resort will fund several community projects, including school improvements and support for local businesses. We’ll also partner with local artisans and vendors to feature their work and products with our farmer’s market initiative. Jobs are reserved for locals, and we provide detailed training to ensure no one fails at their job.”
“These are promising initiatives, but we cannot guarantee anything.”
“We’re prepared to finalize a formal contract with the administrative offices to ensure that our promises are kept. I assure you, Martin, Nelson’s Signature isn’t the bad guy coming in to ruin your community.”
Martin leans forward on his elbows, his fingers steepling beneath his chin. “You’ve certainly come prepared, Miss Reed. I’ll need to review this proposal with my colleagues and discuss it internally. However, I am impressed with your pitch. You seem to have thought of everything.”
“Thank you, Martin. We’re committed to working closely with you to ensure this project benefits everyone involved. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I’ll be on the island for the foreseeable future.”
“We’ll be in touch by the end of the week, Miss Reed.”
I stand from my seat and reach across the desk to shake Martin’s hand. The gesture catches him off guard. With a firm grip, I thank him again for taking the time to meet with me. Before I have a chance to walk into the hallway, I pause and turn around when he calls my name .
“For what it’s worth, it says a lot about your character that you have uprooted your life to live on the island until these issues are resolved. Most companies, especially ones that we have worked with in the past, would never send someone down here. They would require only over-the-phone conversations. I appreciate your dedication to meet with me in person, and to provide many options to showcase your resort’s promise to the local people.”
“It’s a lovely island, Martin. I’m happy to be here. And for what it’s worth, I’m a small-town girl. The idea of big business is scary, and I’ll do everything in my power to assure the locals we’re not here to push anyone out or destroy anyone’s business.” With a nod and a tight-lipped smile, Martin dismisses me, and I leave his office.
“Have a lovely day,” I call out to the receptionist.
One thing’s for sure, I’ll kill everyone with kindness because that’s what closes business.
Making my way across the parking lot, I spot Jayden talking to a young group of kids. His body language is carefree, laughing at one of the boys. He spots me coming and smiles at me from across the lot.
“Oh, she’s pretty,” one of the girls says.
“Miss Reed,” Jayden greets, standing up straighter. I send him a warm smile, one that finally meets my eyes. A weight feels like it’s off my shoulders, and I can only hope that today’s in-person conversation will change their minds. It seems to have affected Martin. His demeanor completely shifted as I stepped out of his office.
“Hey, Jayden,” I greet before turning my attention to the group of kids. “Hi, kids.”
They smile warmly. “This is my cousin, Charlie, and his group of friends. They were heading to the park to play soccer. ”
“How fun. I played soccer when I was younger.”
Their eyes widen, making me chuckle.
“Really?” Charlie asks, and I nod. “Wanna come play with us?”
“Miss Reed has to get back to the resort for a lunch meeting,” Jayden answers for me. I raise an eyebrow in his direction. I don’t remember having any more meetings on my calendar today. He nods at my silent question.
“How about another time?” I ask the group of children, who look to be around the age of ten. They cheer before shouting their goodbyes as they head off to the park.
Turning toward the car, Jayden goes around to the driver’s side. “I didn’t know I had any more meetings.”
“Mr. Nelson sent me a text message informing me to bring you back to the resort as soon as you were done.”
“Oh,” I answer as the two of us climb into the car. “Thank you.”
As we make the thirty-minute journey back to the resort, my mind spins as I try to uncover what our meeting could be about. The IT department has managed the workaround for the internet as they continue to troubleshoot the major issues. Construction on the new entryway should be completed by the end of the week. I’m handling the approval of the new villas. Nothing comes to my mind that would be pressing.
Reaching inside my work bag, I slide out my phone. No new emails or text messages from Tristan. Then my stomach sinks at the realization. What if it’s not with Tristan, but with his father? What if I’m getting fired since I don’t have the approval today?
No, no, no. That can’t be happening .
Arriving back at the resort takes longer than usual. It would have been fine, and a welcomed break, but my anxiety won’t stop creeping in. Every minute that passes, the worse the feeling becomes.
Jayden parks under the overhang and makes his way to my side of the car while I gather my things. Stepping out, I smile at the young man. “Thanks, Jayden. Looks like you shouldn’t have to drive me around for a few days.”
He grins back at me. “It was no trouble at all, Kennedy. If you need anything, send me a message.”
With a wave, I turn on my heels to head inside the resort. But I come up short when I find Tristan standing outside. He’s dressed so casually that it has me pausing. My gaze travels down from his perfectly symmetrical face to where the button-down is left undone, exposing his tan, chiseled physique, then to his shorts that hug him deliciously, showing the black ink peeking out. But it’s his shoes that have me pausing.
“Are you wearing Birkenstocks?”
He shrugs. “Thought I’d embrace the island lifestyle. How did I do?”
“I didn’t take you for the hippie type, Nelson. What’s next? Going to grow your hair out and sport a man bun?” With one foot in front of the other, I close the distance between us, unable to take my eyes off the man in front of me. Truth is, seeing him like this has my heart doing palpitations. If it wasn’t for the fact he looks like a literal island god, I might have thought I was having a heart attack.
“Don’t give me any ideas, Firecracker. Besides, you should know by now I like to keep you on your toes. ”
My eyes flutter with a slight eye roll as I shake my head. “Oh, you’ve got me on my toes alright,” I snark. “But unlike you, I don’t need a wardrobe change to distract my competition.”
“No, you don’t. It doesn’t matter what you wear.” His voice grows husky as he erases the remaining space between us. Reaching forward, he tucks a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “But I like this relaxed version of you. St. Lucia looks good on you, Ken.”
Heat licks across the apples of my cheeks and, luckily, it’s hot out here, so here’s to hoping my skin’s reaction to the temperature camouflages my blush.
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Tristan. Especially in those sandals.”
The barking laugh that erupts from deep inside him has workers pausing to watch us. At this moment, I feel so content, a grin spreads across my face. Is this what true happiness feels like?
“I’m serious,” he starts, trying to get control of his laughter. “It’s nice to see you so relaxed. Even if you’re still trying to outdo me.”
“Listen, buddy”—I poke him in the chest—“just because we are in paradise, doesn’t mean I’m going to take it easy on you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m counting on you to keep me on my toes…even in Birkenstocks.”
It’s my turn to let out a cackle that has heads turning.
“You know, you just might realize you enjoy my company. Casual attire and everything.” He starts moving toward the new entrance of the lobby, where I fall in line beside him.
“Keep dreaming, sandal boy. I’m here to work, not admire your mid-life crisis fashion decisions. ”
He pauses with a laugh as he guides me to walk through the entryway first. “Sandal boy? Mid-life crisis? You’ve got jokes today, Kenny. But don’t be surprised if I give you a run for your money.”
“Bring it on, Golden Boy.”
The two of us stand alone in the lobby, smiles stretched across our faces, a lightness in the atmosphere. While my eyes are locked on his hazel ones, I can’t help but look away to admire the renovations. Dust has been cleaned up from the cutting of the entryway. The scent of fresh paint mixes with the salty ocean air.
Everything's coming together. Slowly, very slowly. But together nonetheless.
“Ah, there you two are,” Destiny greets us out of nowhere. Seriously, the woman just appeared. Her feet falter as she stares at us, and a slow smile spreads across her features.
“Hi, Destiny.”
“Has Mr. Nelson filled you in on today’s events?” Looking from Destiny to Tristan, his notorious smirk has slid into place. “Ah, I’m going to guess no based on that look.”
“Your guess is correct.”
She pulls open her folder and removes a piece of paper before handing it to me. I scan over the dates and items lined next to each other. Next to today’s date, it says Italian, wine tasting, and helicopter tour.
“A helicopter tour?” Nerves pool in my stomach at the thought of being up in the air. The flight into St. Lucia had me ready to pass out, and now I’m going to be stuck in a tiny space hovering above a plummet to my death .
“If you want to skip the tour, I’ll go, and you can stay back at the resort.” Tristan offers a solution, but in my twisted brain, I take it as a challenge. An ‘oh, look, I’m not afraid of heights and you are’ challenge.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Great, Jayden is still parked outside and will take you to the airstrip.” Jayden needs a raise, I decide. The poor boy has been sitting around waiting for us whenever we need a ride.
Wonderful. The last time I was in the car, I was terrified of the meeting I was stepping foot into, and now I’m worried for a whole other reason.
What could possibly go wrong?