Chapter 2 #2
"Fine, you stubborn man. Let me throw these away first. I don't want to litter." I picked the muffins up and put them back on the plate, then dropped them, regretfully, in the bin at the edge of the beach.
"Do you like seafood?" I asked. If we were having lunch, I was going to get something good.
"Yeah. Know of a place?"
"Yes, let’s go to The Fish. They’ve always got fresh fish, obviously."
Travis motioned to a bench so he could sit and put on his socks and shoes. I laughed as he grumbled about the sand.
Seconds later, we entered The Fish, and I couldn't help but grin. It was full to the brim, not an open table in sight. Travis's eyes widened, presumably at the crowd.
I chuckled. "I bet you weren't expecting so much action."
"No." He sounded stunned. "Seems like the entire population of the county is in here."
"Oh, no. They're spread throughout the two other restaurants in town."
"Got it."
When there weren't a lot of options, the restaurants tended to be extremely busy. Fortunately, a couple got up from a corner table by the door, and Travis steered us that way. As we sat, John, the owner, cleared the table, mentioning he’d bring two orders of the daily special.
Travis looked stunned, asking me, "No menu?"
"Nope. He’s told me before that's how he keeps everything fresh. Oh, I forgot to tell you. We’re probably going to smell of fried seafood afterward. The ventilation is horrid." Although where we were sitting was as far as we could get from the kitchen, I knew the smell would stick to us anyway.
"That's not a problem. I don't have any more meetings today."
"So your persuasion skill doesn't involve badgering your opponent from dawn until dusk?" I teased.
Travis beamed, and I swear to God, my panties were on fire.
Why am I so into this guy all of a sudden? It’s so bizarre.
"Actually, if he were an opponent, I would do just that, but he's not. He's someone I want to work with." He paused, then added, “So I’m wooing him.”
The chatter of patrons was so loud that we both leaned slightly over the table to hear each other. I couldn’t get past how striking his green eyes were. He could possibly be the handsomest man I’d ever met.
"How come you want to ‘woo’ the manager of a small boutique hotel from a town with a population of two thousand to manage your big-city hotel in Chicago? I bet the clientele will be completely different."
"It will be, but he comes with a skill set I value.
These small luxury retreats always know how to apply a personal touch, and that's exactly what I'm looking for.
The hotel in Chicago will be small with only thirty rooms. The idea is to make it an exclusive destination, and this manager would know how to make that happen. "
"Oh, that is small," I agreed. "Where's it going to be?"
He rattled off the address. It was on West Fullerton Parkway—one of the dreamiest streets in Chicago. The midcentury architecture was amazing. It was a mix of styles, and it was breathtaking.
"Oh, I know where it is. One of my favorite bookstores, The Happy Place, is actually at the ground level of that building."
“Really? My grandmother owns it.”
It took me a few seconds to put two and two together. "Maxwell of Maxwell Bookstores?"
His face was blank, but he nodded. Did it bother him that I knew his family? Of course, everyone knew that family; they were very famous in Chicago. In truth, they were very famous across the whole country, but more so in Chicago because they originated from there.
"I didn't know your family still owned bookstores." It was one of my favorite hangouts. Not just for the books, as they also had great accessories, unusual journals and cards, unique pens, and papers that could be custom printed.
"We don't. Gran just kept that one because it was the first one she opened with my grandfather."
I grew up hearing stories of the Maxwell family, though I never really followed them closely. I wasn't one for gossip magazines or sites. I left that to my mom; it was her guilty pleasure.
“Anyway, Gran owns the whole building," he continued. "The upper levels have been empty for many years. She's always hinted about how she wants to bring more life into that place.”
I tried to remember the size of the building. "Is it big enough for thirty rooms?"
"No. I bought the adjacent buildings."
He bought them? I was stunned.
"That sounds like quite a project. How did you even decide to go into the hotel business?"
"I had a software company. I founded it when I was in college and sold it last year.
Then I had a lot of time on my hands, and I got restless.
I was looking for my next adventure, so to speak, and at family meetings, Gran mentioned the building now and again.
One thing led to another, and now I'm opening a hotel.”
This man was amazing, and he was thoughtful to pick up on his grandmother’s interest.
He went on. "I like the idea of continuing something from my family's legacy. I was very young when they sold the stores, but I like to think that I would've liked to work in the family business."
I liked the way he spoke of his family and the obvious ties he had with them.
I was just a tiny bit envious. I spoke with my dad on Christmas and our respective birthdays, and that was pretty much it.
Mom mostly remembered she had a daughter when she needed money.
It was obvious that Travis and I had grown up on the proverbial opposite sides of the tracks.
“What do your other siblings do?”
“Luke is an architect, Declan’s a lawyer, Tyler plays hockey, and Sam is a doctor. Tate has a huge wine business. His daughter, Paisley, is still young, but I bet she’ll follow in his footsteps.”
“Oh wow! You all are into something different. That’s nice.”
"Enough about me. How did you end up in a veterinary clinic?"
I shrugged. "I’ve always liked animals. I remember I was six years old when I took care of the first one.
It was a lamb. He had fallen into a ditch, and his back leg was trapped between a rock and the ground.
I helped him out. I was spending a lot of time outdoors back then. We lived in the countryside.”
Whenever Mom and Dad started yelling, I took refuge outside. I was outside a lot.
Our food was served the next second, and I dove right in. It was delicious, as always.
I looked at Travis. "What’s the verdict?"
"This is good enough to warrant stinking up my clothes."
I laughed. I loved his quick humor. Not many people were capable of it.
We ate fast, and then we made our way out. It was too crowded and too stinky to linger inside for much longer, and the day was so fine. And I had to get back to work soon anyway.
"So tell me, what do people do around here for fun?" The sun shone directly on half his face. The other half was shaded by the huge banyan tree behind him.
"They go out to eat at the three restaurants. Most people seem to love quiet evenings indoors. But there's always the movie theater. It's showing a mystery I planned to see."
"What a coincidence. So was I." His smile was wry again. "Do you want to see it together?"
Ah, this sexy man wants to get in my pants. Heat pooled between my thighs at the thought. That’s what I get for an eight-month-long dry spell.
“I could be talked into it,” I teased.
His eyes were triumphant. “Tell me when to pick you up.”
“It’s a five-minute walk from my bungalow.”
He tilted closer, and I sucked in a breath. My mouth was dry, but I resisted the urge to lick my lips. A second later, Travis dropped his gaze to my mouth.
“A gentleman always picks up his date.”
I could’ve melted on the spot.
“Wait, when did this escalate from watching a movie together to a date?”
“I’m escalating it now. You already agreed to the movie.”
My heart was beating insanely fast. He was looking at me intently, and I felt the weight of his gaze like a physical caress on my body.
I could play coy, but why should I? I was looking forward to spending an evening with Travis.
He was only here for a week, and then we’d likely never see each other again, but he was so intriguing. And so much fun.
“Fine, but on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“You’re not allowed to steal my popcorn.”
He chuckled as we headed down the sidewalk.
“Deal.”