It’s a setting that should be shared with someone, the annoying voice at the back of my mind whispers.
I shove the voice to the back edges of my mind, irritated. But it reminds me of something.
Carlotta was supposed to be sending me the final brochure.
I take several more chugs of my beer before getting out my laptop. Besides going down into town for the food I can’t get my hands on out here, this cranky old thing is my only link to the outside world. I use it to keep current with world affairs and to handle my limited business matters.
Ironically, an email from Carlotta is the first thing that pops in on my screen.
Dear Stubborn Pain In My Ass,
Awww… and here I was thinking she didn’t care.
Here is the brochure in its entirety. I hope it fits your liking, but even if it doesn’t… too late. Using my judgement and your lack of input, I’ve decided that it conveys the vibe we want perfectly and have gone through with a final version. The online profile’s updated, and the order is at the printer’s.
I should pick up the hard copies by week’s end and then I’ll get them all sent out. I’ve included my name and number on the brochure since you said you wanted me to handle all inquiries for booking. By the way, I’m taking a cut from that, so there!
In the meantime, I’ve included a digital copy that's specifically formatted for email. So if you have any friends that might be interested in a vacation or people who can help you pass it around to get the word out, feel free to share.
Friends? She is being optimistic, isn’t she?
By the way, I’m not mad at you for being an ass today. I recognize it’s a defense mechanism, and I was skating on a touchy subject. I’m sorry. I’m just worried about your well-being. I hope you understand.
Love,
Car
I read her letter again before opening the attached document. I have to give the girl a salute with my beer, so I do, lifting my can towards the screen. It’s gorgeous, with professional pictures of the rental cabin and the surrounding landscape laid out in a neat collage intertwined with text. There’s even a link to a YouTube video, a two minute overview that Carlotta narrated herself.
There’s no way I could have come up with something like this and it proves I made the right decision in hiring Carlotta to handle the matter.
Still, I look over the finished product several times, looking for any mistakes she might’ve missed.
One picture in the collage, one that I was adamant that Carlotta include, keeps popping out at me. It’s an area I used to frequent a long time ago, and one of the reasons why I bought the property with the inheritance my grandmother left me.
It’s a night time shot of a small lake that leads off into a quiet cove, the stars twinkling above. It’s a romantic scene if there ever was one.
Seeing it brings back memories, memories I’ve tried to keep buried. And a name.
Ana Tucker.
Even after all this time, my heart skips a little at the mere thought of her. I don’t know why, she probably doesn’t even remember who I am. Even if she does, considering what I did, she probably hates my guts.
Unable to resist the melodramatic curiosity, I bring up Google and type her name in the search bar. I hover the mouse pointer over the search button for a moment, filled with indecision. I’ve never dared search her name before, making a pact to myself to forget who she was. It’s better off that I don’t know anything about her.
But after the visit with Carlotta today, and staring at the special image, I’m feeling a bit vulnerable.
Don’t do it. Don’t do it.
My mind goes through a million and one reasons why it isn’t a good idea to search Annabelle. The biggest reason of course is she’s probably married and has at least one kid that she’s proudly showing off all over Social Medida.
I couldn’t handle that. In fact, even thinking of the possibility makes the dark clouds start to push in again and makes my decision easy.
Tapping my touchpad, I close the tab and shut down my laptop.
I’ll leave the memory of Ana Tucker in the past.
Where it belongs since we’ll never be.
About the Author
Other books by Lauren:
Get Dirty Series (Interconnecting standalones):
Dirty Talk || Dirty Laundry || Dirty Deeds
Irresistible Bachelor Series (Interconnecting standalones):
Anaconda || Mr. Fiance || Heartstopper
Stud Muffin || Mr. Fixit || Matchmaker
Motorhead || Baby Daddy
Connect with Lauren Landish
www.laurenlandish.com
[email protected]
Scorpio Page 62