All of a sudden, a stark realization hit him. Nate jerked to a stop in front of the window with its cheap metal blinds and pale green curtains. It didn’t matter what his father had heard or misheard. That wasn’t the issue here. The issue was that...
“You had no right to disrespect Sofía like that back then,” he growled.
He whirled around to pin his father with a glare. “You have no right to do it here, today. Her manners might keep her from shaming her elders,” he sneered the word, “or from putting you in your place, but...damn, I’ve been a complete idiot!”
He shoved a hand through his hair in frustration. “I’ve spent my whole life trying to make you and the Hamilton name proud. But today, knowing the appalling way you’ve treated the woman I love, proves how much time I’ve wasted. And you know what? I’m done.”
Shouldering past his father, Nate snatched his leather folio off the desk, then stormed to the office door.
“Nathan, wait!”
He ignored his father.
“Son!”
The rare desperation in his dad’s voice was the only reason Nate stopped. Hand on the tarnished doorknob, he kept his back toward his father, choking on his own disillusion.
“I’m going in there now to tell the Local Planning Agency that Hamilton, Inc. will not be bidding on Paradise Key Resort. I will also be sharing the news that I’m putting my financial backing—mine, from investments I’ve made on my own, apart from Hamilton, Inc.—behind Sofía’s bid. If I’m lucky enough, she’ll agree to let me partner with her to co-own the resort.”
God, he hoped she would agree.
“You should leave now and head down to Sarasota. Check out the property for yourself. I’ll help with that bid if needed,” he continued, “and then I’m done. If you’ve ever had any respect or an ounce of love for me, you’ll let this stand. Do nothing to impede us. And never...” He angled his body to look his father in the eye. “Never disrespect Sofía again.”
His dad swallowed, exhibiting the first and only sign of discomfort Nate ever remembered seeing. At the older man’s curt nod, Nate left the office.
Palms sweaty, heart racing, he strode down the hall toward Sofía. Toward what he prayed was his future.
Chapter Thirteen
“Did the loan officer in Key West provide a timeframe for the bank’s decision? Or is the LPA supposed to refrain from accepting new bids indefinitely, until you have exhausted every avenue?” Tyson Braddock leaned forward in his seat like a hungry gator sunning itself on the banks of a Florida river, eagerly eyeing its prey.
Sofía refused to be intimidated. Standing in front of her second-row aisle seat, with Tía Mili, Jenna, Zach, and Lauren next to her, she gained strength from their reassuring nods. Zach’s muttered “jerk” earlier when the commissioner had grilled her about a few fine points in her proposal had even brought a smile to her lips. Despite the nerve-wracking interrogation.
“I’m simply asking for the LPA to recognize the merit and value to our town found within the pages of my proposal,” Sofía replied. Hands clasped at her waist to hide their nervous trembling, she trailed her gaze from one end of the head table to the other.
“Of the two bids, her plan for a family-friendly destination vacation resort more aligns with what Mayor James and the rest of the commissioners have been working on,” Vida interjected.
Tía Mili murmured “¡Sí!” under breath at her friend’s supportive comment.
Behind her, Sofía heard similar rumblings of approval from the crowd. Many of the downtown business owners had either closed shop or left their employees in charge so they could participate in a discussion and decision that would impact their shops and restaurants.
Miriam Deresiewicz from Deli 2983 had confided in Sofía at lunch today that she was in her corner. Mr. Bonner at Delightful Scoops had stepped outside of his shop to offer his support when she passed by on her way home. And Ivy, the fun-loving beautician and fellow Puerto Rican who was close with Jenna, had made it no secret she was rooting for Sofía. Having so many local business owners in her corner proved to be reassuring. Unfortunately, they didn’t get a vote.
“Yes, I agree that Ms. Vargas’s vision is appropriate,” Tyson said into the microphone he had placed directly in front of himself on the long table, though the meeting room was small enough that a mic wasn’t necessary. His booming voice carried through the speakers, quieting the rustling crowd. “But can we, in good conscience and in keeping with our fiduciary duty, vote for her proposal when we have a perfectly viable second option on the table?”
“Do we?” Vida countered. “I don’t see anyone associated with that bid in the room. And unless I’m mistaken, their presence is listed as a requirement, correct?”
Once again, chattering started up amongst the crowd.
Tía Mili tugged on Sofía’s dress skirt. “¿Donde está Nate?”
Sofía shrugged a shoulder, wondering where Nate was herself. The meeting had started twenty minutes ago.
Based on their “what’s-up?” frowns, Jenna and Lauren had the same question. She shook her head and made a wide-eyed “beats-me” face.
Was he still talking with his father in the mayor’s office? Ay Dios, if so, that did not bode well.
Walking away in the wake of him finding out about his father’s machinations hadn’t been easy. Part of her wanted to stay and defend him or stand beside him when he confronted his pompous dad.
But the meeting had been scheduled to start, and whatever happened between father and son needed to happen without her influence.
As it stood now, his dad’s attempt to bribe her, again, didn’t stand to matter. If Tyson Braddock got his way, Sofía’s bid would be voted down whether they had a second option or not. Having Nate own the resort was better than some stranger.
“If you could wait!” Sofía raised a hand to gain the committee members’ attention. “I’m sure Nate will be right in to talk about his bid. Once he’s answered your questions, if it’s allowed, there’s another proposal I’d like to present.”
Sal’s. The one that made him eighty-percent owner because he’d be putting in the bulk of the financing. If it was her only shot, she’d take it.
Fred Pearson, a retired high school social studies teacher and the oldest member of the committee, squinted at his watch. “If the young man can’t be punctual, is he really someone in whom we want to place our trust to revitalize our landmark resort?”
“Yes!” Sofía answered, “He is. You should—”
“That’s a wise and frugal outlook, Mr. Pearson,” Nate called from the doorway.
All heads turned in his direction.
Relief relaxed muscles Sofía hadn’t even realized she’d been clenching in her stressful state. Then she noticed Nate’s flushed face, as if he’d raced to the meeting. Or spent the last twenty plus minutes arguing with his father. About her.
Dios mío, what must he think about her keeping the secret from him? Would he be mad? Disappointed?
The thoughts sluiced through her, ramping up her anxiety.
Grabbing onto the bottom edge of his blazer, Nate gave it a brisk pull as he strode into the room. “My apologies for the delay. A bit of revelatory business popped up unexpectedly.”
Reaching the front, Nate paused to shake hands with each of the committee members, cracking a joke with Vida before turning to gesture at the group of attendees filling the chairs. “Thank you for your patience. I don’t want to keep everyone too late, so I’ll get right to the point. Hamilton, Inc. will no longer be moving forward with its bid.”
Gasps and exclamations of “what the heck” tittered from the crowd.
Regrettably for Tyson Braddock, his slightly profane response was heard by everyone thanks to the microphone. Chortles of laughter filtered around the room as Tyson covered the mic with a hand.
“However,” Nate continued. “There is another bid I’d like to submit for consideration. I believe the Local Planning Agency will find
this one difficult to turn down.”
Sofía was a little surprised that Nate would introduce the plan she and Sal had drafted, but she reached for her tote bag under her plastic stack chair to withdraw her folder. Printed copies in hand, she stood up, ready to pass them out to the committee members.
She stepped into the center aisle, drawing to a stop when Nate gave her a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. She frowned, confused by his intent.
“This new proposal is put forward by a team of three individuals, led by Ms. Vargas, to include myself and Salvatore Bernardino.”
Sofía’s knees buckled and she sank into her seat, nearly slipping off the edge because she hadn’t moved completely back out of the aisle. Tía Mili grabbed onto her arm to keep her from landing in a heap on the floor.
“May I?” Nate asked Vida, indicating whether he could set his folio on the committee table.
“Sure,” the older woman answered.
“¿Qué es esto?” Tía Mili whispered.
“I’m not sure what it is?” Sofía smoothed her hand nervously over her sleek ponytail.
At the front table, Nate removed four bound documents from his folder, handing one to each LPA member. “I submit these with an important caveat. Because I was unavoidably detained earlier, Ms. Vargas was unable to give her final approval. Thus, should she have any qualms or edits, let the record show that we reserve the right to withdraw and resubmit, should the committee still be accepting bids.”
Still reeling from her shock over Nate’s announcement, Sofía barely registered he had stepped closer to her and now held out a bound proposal for her to take.
Tyson Braddock, who appeared to have recovered from his gaffe and had the document opened on the table in front of him, spoke up. “As the chair of the LPA, we will note the submission of a new bid in tonight’s minutes. At this time, we will withhold voting to allow members time to assess the proposal. Are we in agreement on that?”
He waited for each member to voice their yes or no before continuing. “Should we have any questions, will the two of you, and perhaps Mr. Bernardino, be available?”
Nate looked to Sofía for a response. The hopeful glint in his green eyes sparked a similar hope within her.
Rising to her feet, she moved to join Nate at the front of the room. “Yes, I can remain in town should you like to set up a meeting.”
“Same for me. We’ll be at your service,” Nate added.
“Good,” Braddock said. “If possible, we’d like to have a recommendation to the commissioners and the mayor by the next town meeting in two weeks.”
“Frankly, if these two team up and Sofía allows the bid to stay as submitted, I’m confident we’ll have a decision before then,” Vida tacked on.
In the audience, Jenna and Lauren grinned at Sofía, both flashing her two thumbs-up. Tía Mili made a sign of the cross, then looked to the heavens as she murmured what was more than likely a prayer of thanks.
As excited as Sofía wanted to be, there were still loose ends threatening to unravel. That Sal and Nate had schemed behind her back, while she’d been racing to get her second proposal finalized, left her perplexed and uneasy. On one end, she was grateful that two of the most important men in her life had banded together to help her. On the other, disappointed they hadn’t included her in the process or discussion.
Tyson adjourned the meeting, cueing many conversations to ensue, some of which were not utilizing Tía Mili’s preferred inside voices. Before she knew it, Sofía was engulfed in a group hug when Jenna and Lauren practically tackled her. Tía Mili gave Nate a more sedate embrace, capped with a pat on his cheek. Then she elbowed the girls out of the way so she could reach Sofía.
“Do you see, nena, Dios has a plan. Te lo dije.” She gave a saucy wink, her chuckle rumbling in Sofía’s ear as they hugged.
Of course her tía wouldn’t miss a chance to say I told you so, though lovingly.
“Now, I think you have dinner plans, no?” Tía Mili said.
“Um, not really. Do we?” Sofía looked from Jenna and Lauren, not remembering any plans for the evening. She’d been too focused on her actual presentation.
The girls shook their heads, then stepped aside as Nate drew closer.
He placed his hand on the small of her back, her skin tingling at his touch. “I was hoping you might want to grab a bite together. Discuss a few...things with me?”
Sofía looked from him to Tía Mili, wondering when her tía had gotten involved with the subterfuge. Her tía’s wide smile matched her head bobbing nods of encouragement, her unspoken “Go!” communicated clearly.
“Will you have dinner with me, please?” Nate asked, his raw sincerity like a hand reaching inside to squeeze her heart.
Trepidation, nervousness, and love converged in one tsunami wave that crashed over her.
“Yes,” she said, giving him the only answer she could.
The one she had always wanted to give, only he had never asked her the right question.
“You have to keep your eyes closed, or I’ll grab a tie from my suitcase and blindfold you,” Nate told her.
“When did you get so kinky?” she teased.
“Ha, wouldn’t you like to know?”
With her eyes closed, she couldn’t see it, but she heard his grin.
He drew the rental car to a stop without them having driven very far. That told her they were somewhere within a five-to-seven-minute radius of the town hall.
Nate cut the ignition, and she heard the leather seat rub as he turned toward her. “I’m going to get out to make sure everything’s ready. You have to promise me you won’t peek.”
“You’re no fun!”
“What is it Tía Mili says...patience is a virtue. Now, do I have your word?”
“Ugh!” Sofía muttered on an adolescent-worthy groan. He didn’t respond, but she felt his nearness. She reached out a hand to find him leaning into her passenger seat area.
“You don’t know how badly I want to kiss you right now.” His voice was a raspy whisper that set goose bumps a flutter down her arms. “But I know you have questions that deserve answers, and the same goes for me.”
Eyes still closed, she grasped the lapel on his blazer. Part of her wanted to tell him to hell with the Q&A. Why not jump ahead to the kiss and make up portion of the evening? But that would only delay a potential roadblock if they didn’t clear the air.
Not one to put off bad news, she pulled his lapel to bring him closer. “Hurry up and get this show on the road already.”
“Damn, feeling bossy, aren’t you?”
She released her grip, sensed him moving away.
His laughter faded as she heard him open, then shut, the driver’s side door.
Enclosed in the vehicle and following his orders not to peek, Sofía strained her ears in search of any clue as to where they were and what he planned.
A short while later, her passenger door opened.
“Thanks, Frankie,” Nate was saying. “I appreciate your assistance.”
“Any time, I can always use the extra video game money,” a young boy answered.
Frankie. Frankie. She repeated the name in her head, trying to pair it with the voice to figure out this new person who’d been in on Nate’s surprise.
Wait, Frankie from church?
Of course. If Tía Mili was involved with this, she’d probably helped Nate hire the kid to put together whatever needed doing while they were at the meeting.
“You ready?” Again, the proximity of Nate’s voice let her know he loomed in her space.
He took her hands in his to help her step out of the car, then grasped her elbow to guide her across a paved ground. The smell of salt water and fish greeted her.
“So we’re near the beach,” she guessed.
“Maybe,” Nate hedged. About twenty steps later—because of course she’d been counting—and they stopped walking. “Okay, now you can look.”
As soon as she opened her eyes, Sofía
laughed out loud, recognizing where he’d brought her. The picnic area and pier at Tía Mili’s house.
A white cloth covered the cement cinderblock table. A votive candle, flame flickering inside the glass, nestled in the center. On one corner sat a pizza box from Angelino’s, the best pizza on the island since she was a young girl running around in pigtails. Two bottles rested in separate ice buckets. One she recognized as her favorite champagne. The other—she squinted at the label—the other was a bottle of sparkling grape juice. Like the kind they’d shared the night of their first...
Realization dawned, and she clapped a hand over her gasp of surprise.
Nate had re-created their first date. From the tablecloth he had snagged in the resort’s dining room, to the pizza they had ordered, to the bottle of non-alcoholic bubbly he’d bought because they were underage.
Tears filled her eyes and she blinked quickly, trying to keep them at bay. One slipped out to trickle down her cheek.
“Hey, that’s not the reaction I was hoping for.” Nate softly wiped the tear away with his thumb pad. “These are happy tears, right?”
Hand still pressed over her mouth because she didn’t trust her voice, Sofía nodded.
“Good,” he answered with a relieved smile. Then he drew her forward, leading her to sit on the cement bench.
The LPA meeting had lasted barely an hour, allowing them to arrive here with thirty minutes to spare before sunset. At this time of day, the inlet and mangroves spread out in front of the picnic area and small wooden fishing pier were bathed in a swirl of purple, orange, peach, and red. The two street lamps had already kicked on, and soon they’d be the only light available. As teens, the shadows had provided cover for heavy make-out sessions. Until Tía Mili called for her to come in.
Now, Nate sat on the opposite side of the rectangular table, facing her. His expression serious, he steepled his hands in front of him.
“You’re probably wondering about the proposal Sal and I put together,” he said. “A little pissed that we didn’t clue you in.”
Resort to Love Page 14