Chapter 17 Andrew
It’s been three weeks since Emily and I decided to start renovations at the Army Base Riviera, and it’s been nonstop ever since. I’ve made it a point to be at the site almost every day, overseeing the work, making sure things are on schedule.
The first thing we tackled was the exterior. The building’s facade was a mess—faded gray, cracks running along the walls, and weeds creeping through the cracks in the pavement.
It looked more like a rundown barracks than a hotel, which, given its proximity to the actual military base, probably wasn’t helping. We’re giving it a complete facelift—new paint, fresh landscaping, modern signage. I want it to catch people’s eyes the moment they drive by.
But every time I see that damn base in the distance, my stomach twists.
It’s like a shadow, hovering on the edge of my vision, a constant reminder of things I’d rather forget. I thought I’d be able to handle it—just keep my head down, focus on the work.
But some days, all it takes is the sound of heavy equipment or the sight of a uniformed guard patrolling nearby, and I’m right back there, in the thick of it.
My heart starts pounding, my skin prickles, and I have to force myself to breathe, to remember where I am.
So far, I’ve managed to keep it under control. But it’s exhausting, always being on edge, always fighting to keep the memories from dragging me under.
I check my watch, realizing it’s almost evening, and there’s still so much to be done. I find Stephen, the lead contractor, near the lobby, going over a blueprint with his team. He’s a burly guy, probably in his late forties, with a no-nonsense attitude that I appreciate.
“Stephen,” I call out, striding over. “How’s everything going with the interior updates?”
He looks up. “We’re making progress, but there’ve been a few hiccups. The plumbing in the guest bathrooms on the third floor is worse than we thought. We’ll need to replace most of the pipes, which is gonna push us back a few days.”
I bite back a curse, glancing at the floor plan. “How many rooms are affected?”
“About half of them,” he says, his tone apologetic. “We’ve already started tearing out the old pipes, but it’s slow work.”
I nod, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Alright. Prioritize those rooms, and let’s see if we can speed up the process without cutting corners. We need to have at least two floors fully operational by the end of the month.”
Stephen nods. “We’ll do our best, but I’m not making any promises. This place is a maze, and every time we open up a wall, it’s like we’re finding new surprises.”
I knew the Army needed a lot of work but the magnitude of it is shocking. “I get it. Just keep me updated. If we need to bring in more manpower, do it. We can’t afford any major delays.”
Stephen nods, making a note on his clipboard, and I can tell he’s already thinking of ways to get around the issue. I appreciate that. He’s always been reliable. In a project like this, that’s invaluable.
“We’re also waiting on the materials for the new flooring,” Stephen adds. “They were supposed to arrive this afternoon, but there’s been a delay. Should have them first thing tomorrow, though.”
I glance at the worn, scuffed tiles beneath our feet, already imagining the sleek, modern flooring that will replace them. “Make sure they’re installed as soon as they arrive. The lobby is the first thing guests see when they walk in. It needs to make a statement.”
Stephen nods, and I’m about to head back to the makeshift office we’ve set up when I catch sight of someone walking towards us from the entrance. Emily.
My breath hitches. I’ve barely seen her in the last three weeks. We’ve both been going out of our way to avoid each other.
The sight of her has my heart doing this weird, unsteady thing. She’s dressed in a fitted navy dress, her hair loose around her shoulders, and even in the middle of a construction site, she looks effortlessly composed.
“Hey,” she says, a bit breathless as she approaches. “I wanted to check in before heading home.”
I nod, trying to act casual. “Good timing. We were just discussing the plumbing issues and the delay with the flooring.”
She raises an eyebrow, glancing at Stephen. “Anything I should be worried about?”
Stephen gives her a reassuring smile. “Nothing we can’t handle, ma’am. Just a few hiccups. We’ll keep pushing through.”
Emily turns back to me, her eyes searching mine for a moment. “Are you okay? You look tired.”
I stiffen slightly, not wanting to get into it. “I’m fine. Just a long day.”
She hesitates, and for a second, I think she’s going to press, but then she just nods. “Alright. Well, if you need anything, let me know. I’ll be around.”
Stephen clears his throat, glancing between us. “I’ll leave you two to it. Got some more things to check on before I wrap up.”
“Thanks, Stephen,” I say, watching as he heads back to his team.
Now it’s just me and Emily, standing in the middle of this half-renovated lobby, with the sounds of drills and hammering echoing around us.
“Is it really bad?” she asks quietly, gesturing to the construction chaos around us.
“It’s not great,” I admit. “But we’ll get there. It’s just going to take more time and money than we originally planned.”
She nods, biting her lower lip in that way she does when she’s deep in thought. I have to look away because seeing it makes me want to kiss her, and I can’t afford to go down that road again .
“Well, if anyone can turn this place around, it’s you,” she says, her voice soft, and I can tell she means it. “You’ve already made so much progress. It’s starting to look hopeful.”
Something in her tone makes me glance up, and I see her watching me with this quiet, unguarded expression that makes my chest tighten. For a moment, I forget where we are, forget about the work, the noise, the stress. It’s just us.
“Thanks,” I say, my voice rougher than I intended. “That means a lot.”
She smiles, and it’s like a breath of fresh air. For a second, I think about reaching out, slipping my arms around her waist. Inhaling that maddeningly intoxicating lavender scent.
“How about dinner?” I say without thinking and immediately regret my words. The last thing I should be doing is getting close to Emily.
Her face creases with a smile and my regret dissipates. “I’d like that.”
We walk around the site discussing the renovations, and decide to take my car and come back for hers later. It’s an amiable drive, continuing our discussion on the work at hand.
I take her to a small, cozy bistro not far from the hotel. It’s one of those hidden gems, tucked away on a quiet street, with ivy crawling up the brick exterior and warm, golden lights glowing through the windows.
I’ve been here a few times before, and I like the atmosphere—intimate, unpretentious, and not overly crowded. I need that tonight.
The hostess smiles and takes us to a table near the back, away from the handful of other diners. The place is warm, the air filled with the faint aroma of herbs and freshly baked bread.
There’s a low murmur of conversation, the kind that blends into the background without intruding. It’s perfect.
We settle into our seats, and I pick up the menu. Although I’ve already memorized most of it, I’m not even sure what I’m in the mood for .
Mostly, I’m just trying to keep my mind off the way Emily looks right now—hair loose around her shoulders, that navy dress hugging her curves. She’s beautiful, but that’s not new.
What is new is how damn hard it is to keep my distance when she’s sitting across from me, looking so damn at ease, even after the past few weeks of us barely speaking.
A waitress appears, and we order drinks. Emily glances around the bistro, her eyes taking in the flickering candles, the rustic wooden tables, the low-hanging lights.
“It’s cute,” she says, her gaze finally landing back on me. “Not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugs, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Something fancier. Like a business dinner.”
I can’t help but grin at that. “No, this isn’t about business. Not tonight.”
Her expression shifts, a guarded look passing over her face. “Then what is it about?”