Better than Never (Sunset Siesta #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

ELI

My life philosophy was simple—if you couldn’t fix it with duct tape or solve it with a beer, you were probably overthinking it.

I was currently working on the latter as I studied my little brother Braden.

The way he served drinks, with that easy smile and a wink here and there, was like watching a magician pull rabbits from a hat.

I leaned back in my chair, soaking in the buzz of Tropical Hops around me.

The cheerful pale turquoise walls, the laughter spilling from the bar, and the clinking of glasses personified Dove Key in the lower Florida Keys on a Friday night.

Braden’s eyes flicked to me and caught my upraised fingers, a signal for two beers.

He nodded and withdrew two pint glasses from the freezer.

As he expertly poured them from the tap, I rolled my head around on my neck.

I dragged a hand through my messy dark-blond hair, which was still stiff from saltwater.

The day had been long, filled with the usual ups and downs of running the dive shop and lining up scuba classes, and I hadn’t had time for my usual post-dive shower at the shop.

But now, as I sat at a relatively quiet table, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of Braden’s brewpub, it was time to relax.

Chase Ashworth strode through the door, his face drawn tight with an interesting mix of fatigue and exasperation.

His normally neat dark-brown hair was tousled, and the crispness of his button-down shirt and slacks seemed at odds with the expression on his face.

But the moment he spotted Braden heading our way and carrying two frosty mugs of beer, a flicker of hope danced across his features.

“Thank God for small miracles,” he muttered, collapsing into the chair across from me.

“Rough day?” I asked, leaning forward with a grin that threatened to widen. Chase and I had been best buddies since we were kids, a friendship that had held steady into our mid-thirties.

“More like a rough week. Lacey is driving me insane with her wedding plans—or lack thereof.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his hazel eyes narrowing. “She’s got less than three months, Eli! And she hasn’t even picked a venue yet.”

“Maybe she thinks a tropical beach wedding is too cliché,” I teased, raising an eyebrow. Chase’s sister was thrilled about her upcoming nuptials but not known for her solid planning. Hence, her penchant for turning to her big brother.

“Yeah, well, if she keeps this up, I’m going to need more than a beer,” he grumbled, but a hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

Braden set down the beers with a flourish. “Two cold ones for my favorite professional man and the king of carefree living. I’ll leave it to you two to decide who is who.”

“Thanks, brother.” I lifted my glass in a toast.

After saluting with two fingers, he returned to the bar.

“At least you dodged groomsman duties,” I said to Chase, trying to lighten the mood, then took a sip of Braden’s latest IPA—cold and hoppy, perfect to wash away the last remnants of the workday. I had to admit he’d found his calling.

“Thank God, but I still have to listen to her whine about color palettes and floral arrangements.” Chase groaned, his expression helplessly perplexed. “I have no idea why she even asks me for input.”

“Just tell her you think white clashes with the whole tropical paradise vibe. That should keep her busy for a while.”

“Oh, sure. I’d just throw fuel onto the fire.” He shook his head but was unable to suppress a laugh. “I can picture it now. Lacey in a frenzy over my so-called fashion advice.”

“Hey, look on the bright side,” I continued, leaning back in my chair. “At least you won’t be stuck in an ill-fitting suit sweating bullets while trying to keep a smile pasted on.”

“Right? Small victories.” He took a sip of his beer, and the tension from earlier ebbed away, replaced by the casual camaraderie we always shared.

“Just remember, if things get too overwhelming, I’m always here to distract you with tales of my thrilling life as a beach bum.” I rested my chin in my palm, feigning a dreamy expression. “Today, I swam with gorgeous tropical fish and caught some rays. Oh wait, that’s every day.”

Chase laughed. “Sounds about right. While I’m stuck in the land of spreadsheets and architectural renderings, you’re out there living the dream.”

“Someone’s got to keep the Coleridge legacy alive,” I shot back.

Beneath the banter, though, a flash of unease seized me.

It was easy to joke about my relaxed life, but under the surface, the weight of expectations always loomed large.

We Coleridges were a large clan. I had five brothers and sisters, and our slightly ramshackle resort had been an anchor in Dove Key for well over a century.

Behind Chase, the door swung open, and my sister Harper walked in.

Her chestnut hair danced around her shoulders, though tension coiled in her tight shoulders and the furrow between her brows.

At thirty-four, she was a year younger than me.

When she spotted us, she gave us a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I waved to her. “Come on over. You look in need of a beer too.” I signaled Braden again as Harper dropped onto the chair next to Chase.

“Hey, you two,” she said. “I’m not crashing some private boy talk here, am I?”

“Nah,” I replied. “You’re a welcome distraction from Chase’s constant bitching.”

“Up yours,” he said mildly before taking a drink.

I grinned as Braden set a frosty beer in front of her.

“Here you go, sis. Just what you need after a long day.”

“Thanks, Braden. Isn’t that the truth.” She took a sip, and I could almost see the weight of the resort’s financial struggles settling onto her shoulders like a heavy winter coat.

“How’s our lovely Sunset Siesta treating you?” I asked.

“About the same, I suppose.” She glanced down at her drink.

Harper had been the general manager of our family resort for ten years, and she wore the mantle of responsibility like an albatross around her neck.

“Though we’ve got some serious issues to tackle.

The repairs are piling up, and I’m starting to think we need a nose-to-tail remodel of everything. ”

“Renovations? What kind of fun updates are we talking about?” Chase probed as he leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued at the architectural subject change.

“Everything from outdated furniture to kitchen equipment that belongs in a museum,” she replied, shaking her head. “I mean, we can only patch things together for so long.”

“Sounds like a blast,” I said with a slightly smug grin. “Nothing says beach vacation like a new toaster.”

“Very funny, Eli,” she groused. “I just wish I had more resources. We’ve been scrambling to make ends meet, and it feels like I’m chasing my tail half the time.”

“Maybe it’s time to take a page from my book and focus on the essentials—sun, sand, and a cold beer,” I joked, clinking my glass to hers. “Who needs fancy renovations?”

“Right, because that’s the answer to everything.” She rolled her eyes, but her tiny smile told me she appreciated the distraction, even if just for a moment.

“Seriously, though,” Chase interjected, turning to face her. “Have you thought about reaching out for outside help? You know, maybe bring in someone who can take a fresh look?”

“Believe me, I’ve considered it,” she replied. “But every time I think about it, I get stuck worrying about costs. It’s like walking a tightrope without a safety net.”

“Look, if anyone can figure it out, it’s you,” I said. “You’re basically the heart and soul of this place.”

“More like the person holding it all together with duct tape,” she quipped with a rueful smile.

“Hey, at least it’s colorful duct tape.”

“True, but I’d still prefer solid foundations over flashy colors.”

“Solid foundations, huh? Sounds like a fancy way of saying boring,” I teased, but there was a twinge of seriousness in my voice.

As I glanced around Tropical Hops, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the entire resort mirrored our conversation.

Braden’s vibrant bar was a burst of life, laughter, and creativity, while the rest of the resort felt…

well, tired. The faded paint and worn furniture spoke of better days, though I had to admit I liked things the way they were.

Change was rarely a good thing in my experience.

“Eli,” Harper said, shaking me from my thoughts, “the resort is overdue for some serious renovations. We can’t keep pretending everything’s fine when it clearly isn’t.”

“Hey, let’s not get too dramatic. A little faded paint adds character.”

“Character or not, we need to face facts.” She turned, her warm brown eyes narrowing slightly. “Chase, what do you think? You’ve seen more resorts than anyone here.”

Chase blinked, visibly taken aback. “You truly want my opinion?”

“Yeah. You’re the architect, right?” Harper asked.

“Uh, well, I mean—” He rubbed the back of his neck, a bit of color creeping onto his cheeks. “I’d say you need to address the structural integrity first. Roofs might need reinforcement, and those air conditioning units are ancient. They probably suck energy like a black hole.”

“Great, and how much would that cost us?” The lines in her brow grew deeper. “A fortune, I bet.”

“Well, it won’t be cheap,” he admitted. “But maybe it’s worth it to prevent bigger issues down the line.”

“Jeez, you two are downers. May I remind you that it’s Friday night?” I added, ready to change the subject. “Do we have to discuss business crap?”

“Economics aside,” Harper said, sighing softly as she ignored me completely, “renovations are something we have to consider. Maybe Julianne has some ideas.”

“Julianne.” I grimaced and gave up on happier topics. Just her name soured my mood. “Oh, joy. If the conversation is anything like the last chat I had with her, that should be a fun time.”

“Come on, Eli,” Harper said, a teasing smile forming on her lips. “Just think of it as a chance to show off your charm.”

“Charm? With Julianne?” I snorted. “Please. She’s completely charm-proof. The woman is made of ice. Nope, count me out for this fight. Besides, I have my own battle to wage with her Monday morning.”

That made Chase’s ears perk up. “Oh? Do tell.”

I scowled as I recalled the dive I’d led that morning.

“I need to talk to her about authorizing new dive computers. They’re practically antiques at this point.

I mean, we might as well strap a sundial around our wrists and call it a day.

Divers are complaining left and right—lost signals, glitches, you name it.

It’s like we’re sending them down there with one foot in the stone age. ”

“That doesn’t sound like the image you want to portray,” Chase said before taking a sip of beer.

“Exactly! But you know how she is—joyless killjoy mode activated.” I huffed and forced my hand to relax around my beer glass.

“Last time I asked for new wetsuits, she dragged me into an endless lecture about the budget and unnecessary expenses. She’s totally impossible.

You should have never hired her, Harper. ”

“Oh, stop!” Harper added with a laugh. “You’re just pissed off because she’s the one woman you can’t bat your pretty blue eyes at and have her melt. She’s damn good at her job.”

I leaned forward, lowering my voice as if sharing a secret. “She runs the place like it’s a military operation. ‘Expenses must be justified!’ More like ‘Eli must be punished at every opportunity!’”

“Okay, okay.” Chase laughed, shaking his head. “But maybe you’re exaggerating her nature a tad? Don’t forget I know her too.”

“Exaggerating? Me? Never!” I grinned, spreading my arms wide. “I’m a beacon of rational thought.”

“More like a beacon of drama,” Harper added with a smirk.

“Fine. Maybe I’m a little melodramatic,” I admitted, shrugging. “But she’s relentless. If there’s one person who can turn a casual chat into a miserable financial audit, it’s Julianne.”

“She’s just doing her job,” Harper said. “You know she cares about this resort as much as we do.”

“I doubt that. Plus, she could tone down the accountant-from-hell vibe a bit,” I argued. “I mean, can’t a guy just ask for a few upgrades without feeling like he’s entering a courtroom?”

“Look, Eli,” Chase said, leaning closer. “Just try framing it differently. Instead of asking for money, present it as an investment. Show her how it could attract more divers, maybe even increase profits.”

“Investment, huh?” I mulled that over, picturing Julianne’s skeptical face. Her black hair pulled into that no-nonsense bun that fit her perfectly. I narrowed my eyes at him. “That sounds suspiciously like something a responsible adult would say.”

“Exactly!” Chase encouraged, then blew it by adding, “Julianne does have a point. It’s not like you’re exactly known for your budgeting skills, Eli.”

“So what? You two both manage to be responsible adults without carrying your own personal black cloud everywhere. God, I can’t stand that woman.”

“Well, she’s not exactly your biggest fan, either,” Harper added, her expression softening into a knowing smile. “Just remember, sometimes it helps to be more professional. You might surprise yourself.”

“Professionalism is overrated,” I replied, waving a hand casually. “What’s wrong with a little charm? I thought I was running a dive shop, not a Fortune 500 company.”

“Charm can only take you so far,” Chase said, then heaved a sigh. “Well, whatever happens, I’ll be there to listen to your melodrama afterward.”

“Aw, thanks. You’re the best.” As I glanced over at Harper, who was staring into her beer again, guilt twisted inside me.

She carried so much for everyone else, and I hated to add my burdens to hers.

So I raised my glass in a toast, determined to lighten the mood.

“To diving, family businesses, and maybe even new computers!”

“To new computers!” they echoed, clinking their glasses against mine.

I was glad to see those lines disappear on Harper’s brow as she grinned. As I laughed along, my humor felt a little forced. But hey, it was better than facing the reality of the battle with Julianne. That would come soon enough.