Chapter Twenty-Seven
Everett took in the restaurant with appreciation.
Polished teak floors reflected the shimmer of tiki torches outside.
Glass doors opened wide to let in the salt air and the sound of waves, but the seating stayed elevated above the sand, elegant without being pretentious.
The glow of pendant lights cast a honey-colored warmth that softened every table.
It was the kind of place designed for people who wanted the illusion of barefoot freedom while keeping their feet clean—a perfect balance of luxury and local grit. Everett had to hand it to Purity’s competitor: They’d nailed it.
He held Rowan’s hand as they checked in with the hostess.
He’d done a double take when he first saw her.
Rowan’s strapless dress was short and flirty, the fabric a swirl of yellow and red flowers that nipped at the waist and flared above the knee.
She’d twisted her thick hair into a low bun at her nape.
Gold hoops adorned her ears. The shoes had a kitten heel in strappy red.
He’d given a low wolf whistle and almost kissed off her red lipstick. Everett had been ruined since her visit to his office. He might need to move if he wanted to get any work done without being haunted by the image of her on her knees in front of him.
Right now, he needed to impress, to confirm there was no doubt he was the man Wolfe wanted.
“You’re overthinking again.”
He looked down at her and smiled. “Guilty,” he admitted, tugging at his linen collar. “Not every day your boss shows up unexpectedly and invites you to drinks.”
“All your work will pay off. Tonight is about celebrating what you’ve already accomplished, not trying to impress, because you already did.
” She squeezed his hand. The strength and warmth of her grip settled him.
Everett had never had a partner by his side to share the ups and downs.
Having Rowan here tonight meant more than he’d imagined.
“You in my head again?”
She tossed him a cheeky smile. “No, but there are places I’d love you to be in.”
He practically choked, and then the hostess led them out to the patio. “You’ll pay for that remark later,” he whispered, trying not to laugh.
Rowan winked. “Promises, promises.”
He hoped the dinner went by fast.
Wolfe and Genevieve were already seated and Gen waved them over.
She was tiny—maybe five feet in her sandals—with dark curls that bounced around a heart-shaped face and navy-blue eyes.
When she smiled, it was with her whole body.
“You must be Rowan! It’s so nice to meet you.
And Everett? My husband is rare to praise but he hasn’t stopped talking about what a wonderful job you did at Purity. ”
“Thank you, it’s an honor.”
They sat down, chatted a bit, and ordered cocktails. Wolfe went for a dark rum on ice, Gen a mango mojito, Everett whiskey neat, Rowan white wine. The waitress brought out pupus: ahi poke with avocado and soy, roasted macadamia nuts, grilled shrimp slicked with garlic butter.
Everett took in the scene, realizing he’d never been so relaxed in a setting that was technically business. Gen’s laughter had a way of loosening everyone’s shoulders. “I can’t believe you flew in yesterday and look so amazing,” Rowan offered with a smile. “You have two children?”
Gen speared a shrimp and cut Wolfe a mischievous look. “Yes, the girls are six and nine. They’re currently exhausting my parents at the resort. When I landed, Wolfe sent me directly for a massage and a long nap to reset. I think he has ulterior motives to make sure I have the perfect vacay.”
Rowan tilted her head curiously.
“Baby number three,” she confided. “But I keep telling him he’s delusional.”
“You love chaos,” Wolfe said mildly.
“Controlled chaos,” she corrected. “I’m a surgeon. It’s how I survive.”
“Wait, you’re a surgeon and you have two kids?” Rowan asked, eyes wide. “That sounds superhuman.”
Gen laughed. “I drink coffee, cry in my car sometimes, and make Wolfe do laundry. That’s the secret.”
Wolfe stared at her with a searing heat, then lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. The easy intimacy between them was almost startling—as if they breathed in tandem. Everett watched in fascination. Their connection looked worn-in and solid.
The man who had a reputation as a captain of industry was simply a man in love with his wife and family.
“Don’t forget laughing our asses off,” Wolfe said. “And the main reason I want number three is I think the world would be better with more of my wife in it.”
Rowan literally sighed. Everett took the ball and slid into macho mode, even though the comment made his heart squeeze. “Are you thinking of creating a second business to compete with Hallmark? Or simply showing off to make me look bad?”
Wolfe let out a laugh and Everett relaxed. He liked that the man had a sense of humor. “The latter. But I never took surf lessons to impress a girl, so there’s that.”
Everett grinned. “Girls. Kelsey is now Rowan’s biggest fan and fell in love with surfing. She’s thirteen,” he said to Gen. “Having the summer of her life because Rowan was kind enough to give her lessons.”
“I was simply the gateway. She has natural talent, and her love for the ocean did the rest,” Rowan said.
Gen’s face brightened. “Oh, I love that. Do you teach regularly, Rowan? Can we come to you if our kids want to try?”
He watched the shadows flicker across Rowan’s face, then clear. Those green-gold eyes were calm as she answered. “I’d be happy to. I haven’t taught or surfed for a while. I lost my father, then got injured on the circuit, so it took me out of the game.”
Gen and Wolfe shared a look full of meaning. Then Gen nodded. “I’m sorry. Sometimes, I think we need to let go of things for a while in order to realize how much we love them. How lucky you both found each other when you needed to.”
The simple words sank deep. His leg brushed Rowan’s and the connection sizzled, then settled to stay.
The entrées arrived. They feasted on fish caught that morning—butter-seared ono with pineapple salsa—and conversation drifted toward the hotel.
Wolfe quizzed Everett about design choices; Gen asked Rowan about the surf shop and competitive surfing.
By the end of the evening, they were laughing and talking like friends, not business associates.
“Ladies’ room time,” Gen said, standing up.
Rowan did the same. “I’ll join you.”
They left and Everett sipped the rest of his whiskey. “Are you flying back to New York right after the opening?” Wolfe asked.
“Yes. Kelsey starts a new school, so I’ll need to get her settled.”
“I’d like to talk to you about the promotion. It’s Senior VP of Global Expansion. Global reach. New York base. You’d head our next properties.”
Everett remained relaxed even as anticipation flowed through his veins. “Not gonna lie. I’ve had my eye on the job for a while.”
“I know. Your work shows you want it.” Wolfe paused as if trying to gather the right words. “We’ll make our decision after opening, of course. I sensed a bit of tension between you and Matthew. How are things going?”
Everett remained fair but truthful. “He’s obviously well trained and suited to run a high luxury hotel. His views are a bit different from mine, so we’ve disagreed on some initiatives.”
Wolfe tapped the edge of his glass. “What about the staff?”
“They’re amazing. Full of focus and enthusiasm, especially about some of our local community projects.”
“Do they respect Matthew?”
Everett paused. The line was delicate, and he wasn’t about to criticize Matthew yet. “Eventually, I’m sure they will.”
Wolfe nodded. “Okay. He’s been extremely successful in Chicago and Seattle and comes highly recommended. But this property is special. I had a unique vision and want to be sure it’s carried out.”
“Understood. I can have a meeting with him to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
“Good.” He regarded Everett thoughtfully. “I’m sure you’ll reach your goals, Hale. Thing about success, though—it’s a greedy bastard. It wants everything you’ll give it, then asks for more.”
Everett studied him. “You sound like a man who’s been there.”
“Still am,” Wolfe said quietly. “But I learned to draw lines. Took me a long time—and a woman with more patience than sense—to make sure I didn’t forget what mattered.”
He stared at his boss, faintly surprised he’d used the analogy of lines. The image of Rowan’s tat flashed in his mind.
Find your line.
An odd sense of familiarity and foreboding washed through him. Wolfe turned and continued. “The job comes with a ton of perks and money. But it’ll also require some travel and longer hours.” His blue eyes were sharp. “You ever draw those lines?”
No. He hadn’t. Yet, suddenly, with the promotion looming and the summer almost over, he wanted to. He didn’t want to leave Rowan behind, but he had no choice. “Not yet.”
“I’m sorry, Everett.”
His chin jerked up as he refocused on his boss. “Taking away my almost-promotion already?” he joked.
Wolfe gave him a level stare. “No. It’s worse. You love her.”
He blinked. It was the second time this man had managed to shock him. “What?”
Wolfe waved a hand in the air. “Sorry, I’m worse than my wife and she used to be a matchmaker before she became a surgeon.
Watching you both dragged me back to the past—when I was trying to tell myself Gen wasn’t meant for me.
That things would be too complicated. Much easier to turn away from it than step into the mess. ”
“Forget Hallmark. I think you’re a shrink.”
His boss grinned. “Nope, I was on the other side of the shrink’s couch.”