CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Sutton
I may or may not have a hangover that has lasted longer than any I’ve had in some time. While I’m more than grateful for the Advil and water Callahan left on my nightstand for when I woke up, it didn’t do much to lessen the pounding in my head.
And maybe I’m nursing my symptoms more than I normally would by staying and working at the villa instead of the office because I’m too afraid to face Callahan after the things I said last night.
While my memory may be fuzzy, I’m pretty sure I slung some words around that probably shouldn’t have been slung around.
If he wanted distance over talking about families and pasts and kissing, then he sure as hell is probably going to be moving out today—if he hasn’t already—to get as far away from me as possible.
I groan and press my fingers to my eyes.
I have to fix this.
I have to talk to him and let him know that it was the alcohol talking. That I’m a sappy, cheerful drunk. Maybe he’ll accept it for what it’s worth, and hopefully we can go back to whatever it is that we are.
Hopefully.
We just need to have sex and get it over with. Maybe that will help shift the focus back to that? Maybe if we both give in to the physical, we can . . . somehow get back to the us I probably screwed up last night.
Hiding here in the villa isn’t going to do any of that.
I’m dressed and heading out the door to find Callahan when I get a text from Brady to meet him at The Cove. That my presence is being requested.
When my texts remain unanswered after some time, I decide to head out to find him.
The resort is buzzing with activity this evening. Tonight is our second Beachfront Friday and guests are milling about on their way to see what all the preparations and signage are about.
It brings a smile to my face to see a difference already from my first day here to what I think is now my forty-somethingth. It seems that guests are preferring to stay at the resort and enjoy its activities rather than head to other resorts.
We still have a long way to go, but the new resort signage definitely has set the tone for things to come and improvements to expect. New uniforms for the staff have been ordered, which only add to the sophisticated esthetic that Sharpe properties exude.
And Callahan’s dinner meetings have paid off.
We’ve had a ten percent cost reduction from our linen supplier as well as a twelve percent cut from our alcohol vendor.
Add to that, he’s found a more professional landscaping company who will actually do more for less.
In other words, Ocean’s Edge was being swindled.
Things are definitely heading in the right direction.
And that’s exactly what I told Roz earlier when we talked on the phone. Despite the steady drumbeat pounding in my head, I was able to update her on the week’s progress. I could all but see her checking off items on her work-in-progress status sheets she keeps for each project.
“This is how success starts, Sutton,” she’d said before hanging up.
And she’s right. This is how success starts.
One building brick upon another.
And after Callahan told me about the origins of the resort’s purchase and the negative projections by his brothers, I’m further determined to turn this place around. Not only for myself but so he can prove to them he’s capable of doing his job.
Plus, I’m not going to lie. It’s exciting to see changes happening so fast.
Maybe his brothers will step back and praise him for following through with what he said he would.
But the idea of him walking away from all of this when it’s done makes my chest hurt. To have a family dynamic that seems repairable and not want to work at it kills me.
Then again, I may not know the full story.
I wander over by the bar and smile when I see Keone. That man is a fount of knowledge when it comes to the staff, to the island, and to the whispers no one is supposed to hear. I seriously wish we could duplicate him.
“Hey, Keone. How’s the night shaping up?”
“All good here, Ms. Sutton. This new Beachfront Friday thing you’ve got going is definitely good for business.”
“Good to hear.”
“And you? You good? Can I get you a drink?”
I cringe at the thought of a drink. Screw the hair of the dog theory. “I’m good. Thanks though. I’m on my way to meet Brady at The Cove, but I was just trying to find Callahan before I do.”
“The man is in high demand tonight, that’s for sure.” He laughs, pulling me from the text that just hit my phone from Brady telling me he figured out whatever it was he needed me for.
“High demand? Does he have more meetings?”
Keone shakes his head, and then lifts his chin behind me. I follow his stare.
Wow. The woman standing there is stunning and yet, at the same time, seems out of place. Sure, she has the look of a Sharpe International regular—commanding attention and acting as if she owns the place—but something about her has me straightening my shoulders.
“Keone? Who is—”
“Gia Diamante,” he says. “She was just looking for Callahan too. My guess is she’s not looking for a ‘meeting’ though.”
His chuckle resonates as my stomach drops.
That’s Gia?
The same Gia that Solomon said was keen to see Callahan again?
I take a step back and offer a muddled goodbye to Keone, desperate to get out of here before he sees what I’m sure is all over my face. Jealousy.
Is that why I couldn’t find Callahan? Is he meeting up with Gia tonight?
“You okay, Ms. Sutton? You want me to tell Mr. Sharpe that you were asking for him?”
Hell. No.
“No. I’m good. I’ll catch him tomorrow.”
And then I’m gone, feeling sick and needy and angry. When Callahan runs, he sure runs fast.
I need to talk to him. For what it’s worth. I need to figure out what this is or isn’t so I can either get completely on or off the roller coaster.
With that thought in mind, I rush toward our offices but the light is off in his window.
It’s only when I’m walking back toward The Cove that I finally spot him. Callahan. He’s standing near the entrance to the restaurant, hands shoved in his pockets, and back toward me.
My chest constricts at the sight of him, his broad shoulders and tall silhouette placed against the setting sun.
If I ever wondered if this whole thing between us had an expiration date, the sight of Gia there and him here, presumably waiting for her, just reinforced the notion.
What do I do?
How do I handle this?
Do I let him know I still want him?
Do I let him go now and save myself the hurt before I get in deeper?
Just say something, Sutton. Anything.
“There you are,” I finally manage as I take a few steps closer to him.
Keep it simple. Nonchalant. Professional.
“I wanted to thank you for the . . .” Advil you left on my nightstand.
But the words don’t come, because Ledger was right that first time I met them.
The longer you know us, the easier it will be to tell us apart.
“Ledger? Or is it Ford?” I ask, startled and a little surprised to see him here.
And knowing I almost just indicated how close Callahan and I are.
His smile spreads into a wide smile. “You’re very observant, Ms. Pierce. And it’s Ledger. Great to see you again.”
“It’s Sutton. Please. And we’re glad to have you so . . . unexpectedly.”
“Nice recovery.” His laugh is rich, and I have to take a step back to remind myself that this is Ledger, and not Callahan. “But I come in peace.” He holds his hands up. “Just wanted to see what’s going on here and get a look at where all our money is going.”
I hear those words with a different tinge now but keep my welcoming smile. “Will you be staying with us long?”
“Just for the night and through the morning.”
“A quick trip then?” And I’m uncertain why I breathe a sigh of relief because of it. Almost as if I want him gone so that he and Callahan don’t come to blows.
“Yes. I have business to tend to in Texas so I figured this wouldn’t be a bad layover spot for the night.”
A little out of the way, but . . .
“Not at all.” I hold my hands out to motion to the beauty all around us. “Then I won’t be keeping you. I’m sure you have lots to discuss with your brother while you’re here.”
“Actually, it was you I was going to seek out. That’s why I asked Brady to summon you here for me.” His smile is warm, his amber eyes inviting.
“Oh. Sure. Yes.” Brady knew he was here and didn’t warn me? Thanks a lot. “What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to go over some of the changes and hear your take on everything. Do you have plans for dinner? The Cove has made room so they can fit us in.”
“Of course. I’m not exactly dressed for dinner. I can run back and change.”
“Sutton. Please.” He holds up his hands and laughs. “I have no agenda. I swear. There is no need to be on edge because I’m here.”
“I’m not nervous, I just wasn’t expecting you and wouldn’t want to make the wrong impression with my island casual attire.”
“Your island casual is just fine. I assure you.” He looks around as if he’s getting a lay of the land—or looking for his brother—before he holds his hand out for me to lead the way inside. “I look forward to hearing about everything.”
My heart thumps in my chest as we walk down the path.
I’m not sure why I’m so rattled about him being here.
This is his resort just as much as it’s Callahan’s.
But I haven’t slept with Ledger.
And I fear that, somehow, I’ll give it away that I have with his brother. Who may or may not be meeting up with another woman tonight.