Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Piper found her attention wandering as Layne spoke about things they had already gone over several times. Her thoughts kept straying to Sullivan Shepherd.
She couldn’t deny there was an attraction between them, but he was so different from her, much less any man she had ever been involved with.
For one, he was rich. No, wealthy. He came from a family of privilege and had attended an elite boarding school.
Even though she didn’t know where he had graduated from college, it had to be one of the top schools in the country.
He worked for a multibillion dollar corporation which built luxury resorts around the world, so he was guaranteed to be highly compensated for his efforts.
Sullivan’s world was unfamiliar to Piper.
Growing in the Bay, everyone seemed to be on fairly equal financial footing.
The banker’s daughter, who had been a grade ahead of Piper in high school, did have more clothes than any other girl in school.
Besides her, everyone had appeared to be lower to middle class.
The few who owned homes along the shore were outsiders to the Bay, only coming in to vacation in these second homes.
The only native to Driftwood Bay who had been known for having made a fortune was John Smith, the guy who’d previously owned Keaton and Layne’s house.
Mr. Smith had been the geeky tech middle school teacher and had only been able to purchase the waterside estate because he hit it big with some dating app he’d developed.
Piper had been in high school at the time, and Smith had been the talk of the town.
Smith’s children had already flown the nest, and she had thought it decadent for only two people to live in the huge house on the water.
She had enjoyed riding her bike by it from the time she was young, even though she wasn’t able to picture herself living somewhere so grand.
While it was a nice house and she knew Layne and Keaton would enjoy raising their family there, the house was probably small compared to what Sullivan was used to living in.
When she thought generational wealth, she pictured luxury apartments in Manhattan and summer houses on Martha’s Vineyard.
Piper reminded herself that the architect was strictly a visitor to the Bay and would be gone soon. She shouldn’t consider getting close to him. And no hookups. She was ready to find what Layne and Mila had.
True love…
“Earth to Piper. Where are you?”
Layne had broken through her meandering thoughts, and Piper defensively said, “Why, I’m right here. Where else do you think I would be?”
“I don’t think you’ve heard a word I’ve said for over five minutes,” her friend protested.
She placed a hand over Layne’s. “I’m ready to do this, Layne.
You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve got the computer programs and spreadsheets down and will be able to handle the paperwork.
I’m familiar enough with the website now and can add to it when necessary.
I know the exact formulas your mom used to make her various cleaning supplies that are natural and do the job.
I even mastered the art of cooking breakfast. You can marry Keaton and go on your fabulous honeymoon without having to worry about the B&B—or me as I manage it. ”
She paused. “Except for one thing. Your mom and dad were a great team and ran the inn with ease. Since it’s only going to be me, I may need some occasional help.
While I can do all the tasks I just mentioned, I’m not handy with tools.
If a doorknob becomes loose or a picture falls from the wall and damages a baseboard, I don’t know how to repair those kinds of things. ”
“I don’t want you to call on Keaton to make any repairs,” her friend said. “He spent enough time fixing up the Bay Breeze, and I know he’s going to be inspired by what we see in Europe. I’m hoping he’ll come back with all kinds of ideas and paint up a storm.”
“Then I’ll look for a good handyman while you’re gone. In fact, I may call that guy who headed the construction crew you used for restoring the B&B. What was his name again?”
“Joey Jordan. He’s terrific. I’ll leave his number with you. I’m not sure he would do small jobs, but if he doesn’t? He would know someone who could.”
Layne hugged her. “I’m just so grateful that you’re going to take over the inn for now.
You talk about having to figure out to do with the rest of your life, but you have to remember that I’m in the same boat.
I left a very high-powered career back in Dallas.
I want to find something to do which is rewarding, challenging, and satisfying, same as you. ”
“I guess we’ll both have to figure out our futures,” Piper said. “Maybe you can create some cool app like you did before and start your own company. I could be your personal assistant and help you run the business.”
Layne laughed. “We’ll have to see. In the meantime, I’m glad that you’re going over to Tidewater with Sullivan.
And I mean it, Piper. If there’s something available that you want to do and they need you start when the resort opens—or even before—take the job if it feels right to you.
Keaton and I will be gone the rest of March and all of April, but we’ll be back by the beginning of May.
I could manage the B&B on my own if I need to.
Eventually, I want to hire someone to take over full-time, but I don’t want to keep you from anything interesting you may find.
Promise me you’ll make you the priority and not the Bay Breeze. ”
“I promise, but I don’t think Tidewater will have anything for me.
You know I’m smart and pick up things quickly, but the lack of a college degree is going to hold me back.
Besides, they’ll have experts to run all their departments, from the front desk, HR, and accounting to the various restaurants.
The spa. The water sports. I can’t think of any marketable skills I possess that they might need.
It will be fun, though, to see what a luxury resort looks like, even if it’s not completely finished.
I’ll admit that after having dinner with Sullivan and y’all last night, I went home and looked up Wagner Enterprises. ”
Layne chuckled. “I did the same thing after meeting Sullivan. Impressive, right?”
“Boy, talk about luxury. The people who book rooms in their resorts are way different from what we know. Definitely not the clientele who books a stay at the Bay Breeze. I doubt I’ll ever set foot at Tidewater after today. Not with the price of those rooms.”
Layne eyed her speculatively. “You do look nice.”
Piper glanced down at the crisp, white shirt and tailored black slacks she wore with low black heels.
“Not that I anticipate landing a job there, but just in case I do run into anyone important who might interview me at some point, I wanted to make a good impression. And not embarrass Sullivan, of course.”
“Your personality is what will win over any future employer. Besides, you’ve really grown into your looks, my friend. You were always cute when we were in high school, but your beauty has matured.”
She felt her cheeks heat with the compliment, remembered how Sullivan had called her beautiful.
“I think it’s just because I know how to carry myself now,” she explained. “Plus, after all my years working in the theater, I’ve also learned an awful lot about hair and makeup. I use that knowledge to my advantage and know what to play up.”
“I may have to ask you to do my makeup for the wedding,” Layne mused.
“I would love to help with that,” she said enthusiastically. “How about letting me practice a few palettes on you this weekend?”
“You’re on.”
Piper’s phone buzzed, and she looked down.
“Sullivan is on his way. I think I’ll go and sit on the porch and wait for him.
Soak up some sunshine. I do love being back in the Bay and having such great temps for early March.
” She giggled. “You do not want to be in Chicago or Pittsburgh or Minneapolis this time of year. All my traveling taught me that I needed to settle down in a climate just like the Bay’s. ”
“I’m going to miss Sullivan,” Layne said. “So will Keaton. They’re both quiet men, but they’ve become fast friends and open up around one another. I think some of that has been Carson’s influence since he’s more outgoing. He’s been good for both of them.”
“See you later,” she said, standing.
“I’ll head out with you,” her friend said.
They returned downstairs, and Piper locked the door behind them. She took a seat on the porch in a rocker and waved as Layne pulled away.
She noticed her mouth was dry. She wanted to go back and grab a bottle of water, but she saw Sullivan’s car coming down the long drive and didn’t want him to have to wait for her. Standing, she headed down the porch stairs to meet him, taking a few deep breaths and expelling them slowly.
He pulled up next to her, and Piper got into the car.
“Hey,” she said, buckling her seatbelt.
“How was your meeting with Layne?” he asked.
She chuckled. “Layne is like a mother hen, hovering over me. She wanted to go over the same stuff we’ve talked about all week. I kept telling her that I’ve got everything under control and just encourage her to head out on her honeymoon as planned.”
“Well, I’ll be around if you need any help with something,” he offered.
Piper laughed aloud.
“What’s so funny?”
“Somehow, I can’t imagine Mr. Prepster scrubbing toilets.”
“I could,” he said defensively.
She eyed him, biting back a smile. “Have you ever swished a toilet in your life, Sullivan?”
“Not that I can recall,” he admitted, causing them both to laugh. “We had a maid who cleaned everything. I did make my bed every day, though.”
“Ooh, brownie points for you,” she teased. “Did you have to do that at boarding school? Make your bed?”