Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Sam
I ’m still staring at my phone like it’s a time bomb about to explode when I hear a soft tap at my door. Glancing up, I smile at Susan, one of the head housekeepers. She’s been with us since almost the beginning and has been instrumental in bringing other hard workers onto the team.
“Hey Susan. What can I do for you?”
Her smile turns apprehensive. “It’s the cart again.”
I set my phone down and lean back in my chair. “Dang. What’s going on this time?”
She looks at me solemnly. “My husband tried to fix it, but he thinks it needs a new part. It’s above our abilities. It didn’t start at all yesterday evening. I walked home and then had to walk back in.”
I lean forward, elbows on my desk and regard her with eyes wide. “From Palm View?” I sigh. “That’s too far. You should have told me. Please call in the future, and I’ll have someone buzz you home and pick you up.”
She’s shaking her head. “I don’t want to bother the whole resort over my own problem. We’ll have saved enough for a new one in a few months. I just wanted to let you know why the cart was parked in the lot and not moving. I don’t want anyone to think it’s been abandoned out there. I’m sure they will tow it away when we buy the new one.”
“Susan, you’re one of The Sand’s most dedicated employees. We’re not leaving you hanging like this. If the cart’s already here, that’s great. I’m going to call mechanical and have them pop over and take a look. Will you head down there to give them the keys and let them know where it’s parked? If they can’t get it running, we’ll set you up with one of the carts from the rental fleet at no charge until you and your family are able to get a new one.” I tap the eraser side of my pencil against my phone and consider. “You have an older model Club Car DS right?”
She nods.
“I bet Bucky will want that for parts if it ends up being unfixable. We’ve got quite a few of that same model working on the shuttle runs. We’d be happy to buy it from you.”
She’s looking a bit misty eyed now, but her face is sharp with determination. “Thank you, Sam. I should have just come here in the first place, but I didn’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother at all. I’m going to message Bucky now, you head down there on your next break, okay?”
With another nod and smile, she backs out the door, closing it behind her halfway like she found it.
I type out a quick message to our head mechanic then toss my phone back on my desk. I trust him to take care of Susan’s cart, whether that means fixing it or buying the broken down thing for parts. If it comes down to it, we’ll be happy to give her the money for the new one, but I’ve learned over the years that people around here prefer to be self-sufficient. It’s caused me to get very creative in the ways I offer help to the islanders. They always prefer a loan over being given money, which has developed into a whole new department of resort HR that operates like a bank. I still sneak in bonuses to hardworking employees when I can, but most often it’s offers of help, food, or more hours that are the most well-received.
The expat transplants living in employee housing or rented apartments around the island are a whole different story. They work in the way I’m used to from years of running departments in hotels back in the States. When they need something, they ask for it. And money always talks.
It’s a fine balance to strike between the two groups, making sure each feels supported by The Sands without feeling like anyone is being unfairly favored.
Just another day in the life of a mid-sized resort GM in paradise.
My phone lights up with a reply from Bucky, and I nod to myself. It’s taken care of. I glance at the clock on the screen and notice that I missed lunch again.
With a sigh, I pocket my phone—my new constant companion—and head toward the stairs down to Reef. Everyone glances up and smiles or waves when I pass, many offering a hello or a how’s it going. I return each smile and give each person a moment of eye contact as my way of letting them know they can stop me to say something if they need to. It’s my job to be available for anything anyone needs here, even if my stomach currently thinks otherwise.
I make it all the way to the ordering counter at our quick service deli-style restaurant adjacent to the pool when I finally have someone take me up on my open invitation. Luckily, it’s the guy taking my order, so I get to multitask.
“Hey Sam, I was just going to run up to talk to you on my break.”
I offer a genuine smile. “Looks like I saved you the trip, Nat. What’s up?”
Nathaniel is new this season, from the States, and lives in employee housing. Even though he’s only been with us for a few months, the kid’s fitting in great and his supervisor Marcus let me know at our last meeting that he’s talking about next season like he’s already decided to stay. That’s what we love to hear from the seasonal staff, especially hardworking, easygoing staff members like Nathaniel.
“My mom and aunt are flying in next week.”
“Oh, that’s great. Are they staying at the resort?” I probably would have heard about their visit to approve an employee discount, but it’s possible Maria, head of the front desk, took care of it instead.
“No. We…they…” he glances down at his hands and fidgets with the pen he’s holding. “They’re staying with me,” he finishes without meeting my gaze.
I can feel the energy change as he considers the predicament he just got himself into. By admitting that his family can’t afford to stay at The Sands, something that is understandable—it’s not a cheap place to stay, even with the discount—he thinks he may now be in trouble for having guests in employee housing.
“I’m sure they’ll love to see where you’re living. If you need extra bedding while they’re here, just ask housekeeping. Tell them I said it was okay.”
When his eyes shoot back up to mine, they’re shining. “Okay. Thanks, Sam. Do you think we could…”
He trails off again and I know exactly where this is going. I pull two keycards from the stash in my back pocket and hold them out. “These keys will get them into the ladies showers, locker rooms, and the pool area. You can access the gents with your employee card, and I’ll make sure it gets activated for pool usage.”
He takes the cards from me, holding them to his chest and beaming like I just handed him two golden tickets. I guess in some sense I did. Being able to bring his guests to the resort to enjoy the pool facilities is a great perk of working here—and one that isn’t offered to everyone. It’s earned through demonstrating respect for the property and everyone on the island.
Nathaniel certainly fits that bill.
“Be sure to shoot me a message some afternoon when you’re all at the pool. I would love to come down and meet your family.”
He nods again, still gripping the cards to his chest. “I really appreciate that. Did you want to order something?”
“I do. Can you have a sandwich sent to my office?”
“Right away, boss.”
Dom finds me at my desk, signing department expense reports while enjoying my ham and avocado sandwich.
“You know, we’ve got tables down in the restaurant. You installed them yourself.”
“The guy who survives on leftovers eaten while standing over the trash can is lecturing me about working through lunch?” I bite back at him good naturedly, leaning back in my chair and smiling.
He just shakes his head, returning the smile.
You learn a lot about a person when you’re trapped on a tiny island running a business together, and what I’ve learned about Dom is that he’s just as solid a friend as he ever was. The guy may be gruff and hot-headed at times, but he’s got my back.
I wonder what he’s learned about me?
“What’s up?” I ask. Not wanting to get rid of him, but well aware that his time is spread just as thinly as mine.
“Dinner tonight. I put you and Naomi on the books at six.”
What the hell?
“Why?”
The word comes out too quickly, too harshly, and Dom’s forehead creases.
“Because she’s here alone and needs someone to talk to. She’s been through something in the last few weeks that’s shook up her whole life. I’m not totally clear on what it is, but I figured if anyone can offer her counsel, it’s you. You know I can’t do the mushy, helpful shit.”
I already know there’s no way out of this, but I can’t help but fight. “I don’t know much about the internet scandal world.”
“See? One golf cart ride and you already know more about what’s going on with her than I do.”
His statement is so final, like he’s just realized how perfect his plan is for setting us up for dinner. He’s going to leave if I don’t do something.
I stand quickly, drawing another side glare as he turns to head back out the door. “Why don’t you make it for four?”
I have his attention now. He turns back to me, arms crossed, eyebrows sky high.
“I’ll message Reina and Fran. I’m sure they’ll jump at the chance to eat at Raft with us.”
Dom says nothing, so I stammer on like an idiot. “I may have a calming perspective but getting her hooked up with some female friends on island is going to be best in the long run.”
His face transforms as he considers, softening as he contemplates. “Okay. Yeah. That’s a good idea. I’m sure Reina’s houseguests could use a night on their own. I’ll let her know. You talk Fran into it.”
I smile and flop back down in my chair. “No one ever had to talk Fran into dinner plans.”
Dom huffs out a laugh. “That’s true.” Another nod and he’s back in the doorway. “See you at six. ”
My breath rushes out of me once he’s safely down the hallway. I collapse my head into my hands.
What a goddamn mess.
Sure, it’ll be better to have the girls there as a buffer at dinner, but this is only a stopgap solution. Naomi will be on the island for the foreseeable future. There’s no way I’m going to be able to avoid her entirely.
Or can I?
I already work a ton, who would notice if I started working even more? I could move into my office, pile my desk with paperwork, and finally get caught up. Hell, I could start employee performance reviews. Sure, it’s four months earlier than usual, but may as well get them out of the way, right?
I’m considering printing out the entirety of last quarter’s expense reports to get a head start on our tax filing prep when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I already know who it is before I even pull it out.
Naomi: Hey Sam. Dom invited us down for dinner tonight. I’m excited to try out his restaurant. See you at six!
I should tell her about the other guests, but I want to make sure they’re on board first, so I punch out a quick text to Fran.
Sam: Franny…dinner at Raft at six tonight with a special guest. Say yes.
I don’t have to wait long for her typing bubble to pop up.
Fran: Yes, obviously.
Fran: No Avery?
I tap my fingers on my desk, considering. There’s no real reason for him not to come, other than the fact that our five-star, award- winning tasting room restaurant is generally booked months out and Dom’s already going to have to drag a table out of storage to fit the four of us.
Sam: Fifth wheel
Fran: *crying laughing emoji*
Sam: But if Reina can’t make it, there’ll be a seat for him
Fran: Ooh! Reina’s coming? Yesss! I’ll text her right now to make sure she doesn’t bail.
Perfect. Let the ladies sort it out.
I type and delete four different messages to Naomi before finally deciding on one to send.
Sam: Looking forward to it. Reina and Fran are joining us, you’re going to love them.
Naomi’s typing bubble pops up and disappears over and over until I finally have to put my phone down as my eyes start to burn from staring at the screen. It’s nearly ten minutes later when the message finally comes through.
Naomi: Okay!
I set my phone back down as dread washes through me.
This situation is completely out of control.
Maybe I made a huge mistake by not using this dinner as a time for the two of us to talk and get on the same page. I just panicked at the thought of being alone with her.
Especially under the watchful eye of the guy who knows me best in the world. The guy who happens to be her overprotective big brother and my business partner.
I consider my options.
I can come clean and get out in front of the whole thing.
Terrible plan.
I can keep pretending what happened didn't happen and lie for the rest of my life.
Not my favorite, but better than the first.
I sigh as the most likely scenario occurs to me. I keep my mouth shut and lie to my friends, knowing Naomi could somehow let it slip that something happened between the two of us. Then everyone will know, and they’ll all know that I lied.
I can’t let that happen. But am I brave enough to choose plan number one and put myself right into the path of Dom’s wrath?
It’s the ultimate lose-lose situation. I’m dead either way.