I managed to get everything finished on my to-do list over the last week, without going bat-shit crazy. I'd picked up my working uniforms on Friday and to my absolute relief, the shorts didn't look too terrible. Much better than the sample the saleswoman had shown me, these were cargo walking shorts and covered most of my thighs. The short-sleeve cotton-blend shirts fit nicely and so did the pants. Not as loose as I wanted, but not overly tight.
Maybe the shorts were for outside work only. How much of that would I be doing? I heard Florida stayed humid, even in the fall. Imagine, being hot and sweaty outside in November. What a thing to be worried about!
I'd spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday running around like a crazy girl to finish getting ready. I bought new underwear and a nice bra, even though I'd vowed not to purchase any more clothes until I lost weight. That hideous shopping session ended with a bottle of wine and a comedy movie, to dull the pain of having looked in full-length tri-fold mirrors for four hours under blazing bright lights. If I ever won the lottery, I'd open a department store for big girls, with a huge selection of clothes that fit right, soft, cheerful music playing, and no florescent bulbs.
My phone chirped and reminded me, time to send my mom a text. Blerg. Best to get it over with or the guilt would nag at me like a hungry cat.
Hi mom. I'm going to Florida on business for a week. Michelle is fine. Vicky will visit every day and report to me. Hope you're doing well.
She wouldn't answer. She only did if it was important, if it concerned Michelle, and I needed something from her. After that awful night over a year ago, Mom did her own form of retreat. We'd never been terribly close anyway, and she pretty much shut down as far as communicating with me. I knew she was trying to protect herself, or so Thea the Therapist told me. (The counselor's real name was Theresa. I gave her the nickname to make the experience less stressful.) But it still hurt that Mom never talked to me unless I initiated the call.
The scent of coffee tickled my nostrils and with an effort, I pushed away family thoughts. I'd been down that guilt path enough times to have worn a deep groove. I didn't need to go there now. I'd treat myself to a tasty drink, one with whipped cream on top, then on to enjoy my window seat and daydream about palm trees.
CHAPTER THREE
Even the air in the Miami terminal felt tropical. I stood at the baggage carousel, grinning like an idiot. I texted the driver as soon as I got off the plane, and he would text me back when he arrived to pick me up. I imagined a guy in a spiffy chauffeur uniform, standing there to greet me with a sign, but with all the airport security now, that was just a movie dream. Not having to get a taxi or find other transportation was really enough of a treat.
Once I got my luggage and piggybacked it with my carry-on, I headed outside, where Chris, the driver, said he'd pick me up. I was dying to get into the open air and let that sunshine kiss my face. The minute I stepped out the door, my entire body sang. Even through the vehicle exhaust, I smelled sea salt and flowers.
Okay, probably, it was my imagination, but this was a whole different world. Everyone seemed so happy, and they smiled at me like I was a friend. Or maybe, I still had that goofy grin on my face and people found it amusing. Whatever, it felt good.
My phone chimed. Chris, letting me know he'd pulled up, in a dark blue Rolls-Royce. Oh boy! My first time riding in a limo. I saw a driver get out of a car and wave at me. As I moved closer, I realized, it was a woman.
"Are you Amber?" She popped open the trunk.
Not a huge, stretch limo, but impressive looking anyway. Shiny, sleek, and I could already smell the leather. "Yes, that's me. You must be Chris."
She tipped her hat. "I'll be your driver for your stay at Bay Paradise Resort. Welcome to Florida."
She grabbed my bags and tossed them in the trunk like they weighed nothing. Trying not to stare, I checked her out. Though she wasn't huge, she had muscle under that uniform, and she moved smoothly, like she was comfortable with her large body.
"There's a bottle of chilled water for you, and a choice of fruit and sandwiches."
I climbed into the car and opened the small cooler on the floor. "Thank you so much."
I'd been so excited I didn't even realize I was starving, until I saw the food. Unwrapping a sandwich labeled "tuna", I took a few bites. Delicious. I polished off half, took a sip of water (Evian!), then checked out the interior more closely. The seats were more comfortable than a couch, and I had to slip off my shoe to run my foot over the plush carpet. Even through my sock, it felt deliciously soft. I wanted to peek in all the compartments, but I didn't want Chris to think I was some kind of nosy, unsophisticated woman who'd never been in a fancy car. Instead, I leaned forward to talk to her.
"Chris, how long have you worked at Bay Paradise Resort?"
"Three years."
"Do you like it there?" Kind of dumb question. She'd be gone if she didn't, right?
"I love it!" She turned her head and flashed me a genuine grin. "I started working on the grounds crew, then laundry, now this. Along with front desk and concierge. I hop around."
"Are you happy that Cameron Industries is taking over?" Blunt, but I hoped she would answer me honestly and not tell me what she thought I wanted to hear.
"So far. The other company that ran the place, Mauldin Management, had a lot of issues the past year. Paychecks late, schedules changed at the last minute. I kept trying to get promoted, but no one ever listened. As soon as Cameron took over, I got bumped up to driver and the other positions real quick. Part-time for everything, while I go to school for my degree in hospitality management."
From reading the reports, I learned Cameron Industries acquired the resort three months ago. Since then, they'd sent Toby Burns, an employee on staff with hotel experience, to be the initial general manager. Toby did all right, but Nathan wanted more. When Toby requested a transfer back to the United Kingdom to be with his family, they hired another manager, who would start at the end of November. In the weeks between, Nathan came down himself to spend time becoming familiar with the property.
Bay Paradise Resort was an unusual place. Not a big hotel, not a small grouping of vacation rentals units. It couldn't exactly be called a luxury resort, but was a step above the cookie-cutter chain hotels. More like a boutique hotel. Accommodations consisted of four individual executive cottages and a two-story building of guest rooms. Nathan wanted to maintain that boutique environment, but have it run as efficiently and make the money that the chain hotels did, while keeping the room rates affordable.
Hearing the happy tone in Chris's voice cheered me. Reading how well a place ran on paper was one thing. Talking to an actual employee told the true story. Unless Chris was telling me lies, she seemed content.
"What do you want to do in the future at the resort?"
"Be a manger, eventually. I know it's long hours, but I don't have a husband or children yet. I want to try it while I can."
"Do you know Nathan, the owner of Cameron?"
"Not really. I've seen him a few times. He's cute." She turned again and grinned.
"The employees are aware he's staying for a few weeks, right? And why?"
"Oh yeah, we know. He wants to check out the place before the new manager comes on board. Toby was good, I guess. He's the one that promoted me. Said my talents were wasted, that I should have a job where I interact with people."
I had to agree. Chris was easy to talk to and extra friendly. "We'll be handing out employee surveys. Please tell everyone to answer honestly. They can stay anonymous if they want."
"Will do." Chris tapped her fingers to her cap in a salute.
"I'm going to check my email and enjoy the scenery. Thanks for talking to me."
I leaned back and picked up the rest of the sandwich. I'd never been in a supervisory position and wasn't sure exactly what my role would be here. Nathan liked my take-charge attitude, but I didn't want to overstep my bounds. He told me he wanted me to talk to the employees, to get to know them
and have them confide in me. When we had that email discussion, I'd phrased my response carefully.
Lying's not my thing. I could never pretend to be a friend, then betray a confidence and tattle. Nathan assured me, he didn't expect or want me to do that. If someone told me information and asked it be kept private, as long as it wouldn't cause harm, he understood. He just needed a liaison between himself and the employees. Someone who wasn't management, exactly. He didn't come right out and say it, but I think he knows, he's kind of intimidating.
Especially once I met him in person. Those laser-beam eyes seemed to look right into my soul. If I didn't know him, hadn't worked with him and heard him laugh at one of my silly jokes, I'd be pretty unsettled talking to him.
So, my job here, be the intermediary between Nathan and the staff. A perfect use of my skills.
Driving down the two-lane US 1 to get to Key Largo, I had plenty of time to gawk at the tropical scenery. And to learn a new curse word from Chris.
"Hey you fuckass, go the speed limit would ya? Oh, shit!" She clamped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry, you're so quiet back there, I forgot you were in the car. I didn't mean to say fuck. Or ass. Or shit. I don't talk like this when I'm driving people. Really."
I laughed. "It's okay. I've heard those words before. Did this car belong to Mauldin Management?"
"Nope. Somebody told me, Nathan bought it and drove it here himself, from Orlando. But that could just be a story."
From what I knew of Nathan, it sounded like something he would do and enjoy the hell out of.
"This must be a tough stretch to drive."
"Yeah. It's great when everybody moves along, but there's always one fuckass, I mean, one idiot who goes too slow. We only get a few spots with passing lanes, then you're stuck. Okay, I'll calm down now. There's no rush, right?"
But I was anxious too. I wanted to see Bay Paradise Resort, get settled into my room, and get to work. And, to see Nathan. To hear what our plans were.
"Do you live on Key Largo?"
"Yes. I rent an apartment with two roommates. It's small, and one day I'd like a house on the island, but I don't know. They're so expensive!"
"Most of the staff doesn't live on the island, do they?"
"No, they take a bus to and from work. Where do you live?"
"Chicago. The suburbs."
"I've got a cousin who lives in Evanston."
We chatted about Illinois for a while, then I let Chris return her full attention to the road, while I acted like a tourist, and put down the window to take pictures of the palm trees and water.
We finally rolled in to Bay Paradise. The resort was on the bay side of the island, and I glimpsed the water behind the hotel as I got out of the car. Chris pulled up to the front door of the main building and much as I wanted to dash around back and see the full view, I figured I better go inside first.
But my driver had other ideas.
"Perfect! The sun is setting. Looks like a good one tonight. Hey Juan," she yelled at the man who stepped out to greet us. "Bring me and Amber margaritas, would you, out back to Tiki Largo? One of those kick-ass ones. Come on. We'll get your stuff later."
I grabbed my purse from the car and hurried to follow her. The ground was a mixture of sand and rocks and I picked my way carefully along the driveway. Chris walked fast, swinging her sturdy arms, and I hurried to keep up. My jaw dropped open when we turned the corner of the building and I stopped. The sky was lit up with pinks, yellow, blues…so many colors I couldn't believe it. Clouds formed all kinds of shapes, lending an abstract effect to the show. Chris gestured for me to join her where she stood at a railing overlooking the water.
"Over here. Nice view, huh?"
"I'll say." I joined her, then took a quick look around, not wanting to tear my gaze from the spectacular show.
The Tiki Largo bar was situated on a large patio. Several tables filled with guests occupied the wooden deck, part of it under cover and part open. Further out on the deck where we stood, more tables and chairs were positioned. A railing circled the entire area, and this is where we perched.
"Is the sky like this every night?"
"No, not always. Sometimes it rains or is cloudy. But we get a bunch of these awesome sunsets to enjoy. Hey Juan, over here. This is Amber. She's working with Nathan for a week. Amber, this is Juan Rivera, one of our best front desk clerks."
"The best front desk clerk. But now off duty, so I'll share a drink with you." He put down the tray he held and handed us our glasses, then leaned on the railing.
"Amber is from Illinois and they never get to see the sunset there."
"Uh, yeah, we do, but it doesn't look like this."
"Enjoy our free show. It's what keeps me here." Juan took a sip of his drink and smacked his lips. "That, and the margaritas. So, so good."
"You stay on Key Largo for the sunsets and drinks?"
"No, but the tourists do and that's why I have a job. To tourists, sunsets and margaritas."
We all laughed, then clinked our glasses in a toast. Wow. I took another drink. This was a killer margarita. I'd never tasted anything better.
"Our bartender makes a good drink, no?" Juan smiled.
"No, I mean yes. It's excellent. A secret recipe?"
"Yep. We've tried to get him to talk. Tortured him a little. He won't tell."
"Enjoying your drink?"
I'd been so caught up with the view and laughing with my new friends, I hadn't even noticed Nathan approach. I put my glass down and stood up straighter. "I am, thank you. I've just had this one, but I'm ready to work now."
He looked at me with an odd expression. Damn, I shouldn't have had that drink. What was I thinking? I was here to work, not act like a tourist, guzzling alcohol. Juan stiffened, and I caught a scowl on his face from the corner of my eye.
But Chris flashed Nathan an impish smile. "Don't blame Amber; it's my fault. I dragged her down here and insisted she taste a margarita. I believe Mother Nature is putting on an extra special show to welcome her. Isn't this the best sunset ever?"
Nathan looked away from me, thank the Lord, and stared at the sky. None of us spoke. Most of the other guests were quiet too, caught up in the spectacular display. I snuck a glance at Nathan and my heart skipped a thump. The beginning of a smile curved his mouth, giving his whole face a deliciously sensual look. Those penetrating eyes softened, as though he gazed at something that gave him great pleasure.
How would it feel to have that expression directed at me?
No, no, no. Bad girl. Not going to think about Nathan like that.
One of the guests started clapping, the rest of us joined in, and the spell was broken.
"It's fine. You've had a long day and I don't expect you to work tonight. Chris is right, this has been a beautiful sunset. I'm glad you got to enjoy it. You'll be staying in an executive suite at the hotel. Juan can show you there, and Chris can take you anywhere you'd like to go for dinner tonight. Come to the conference room tomorrow morning at eight o'clock and we'll get started."
He turned and walked away.
"Man, that guy gives me the creeps." Juan did a fake full-body shudder.
"Oh, he's not that bad. I saw him smile. Once." Chris did a fake-smile face that made Juan and I laugh.
"What kind of food do you enjoy? There are lots of good places to eat." Chris nudged my arm. "I can show you our island night life too."
A combination of travel-tired and the tequila snuck up on me like a prowling lion. Suddenly, I was exhausted. "I think I'll just get room service tonight and go to bed early. Is there room service here?"
"You bet. There's a menu in your suite for Water's Edge Café. They serve until late, one o'clock. Come on Juan, let's get Amber settled in. She can take the grand tour tomorrow."
+++
So much for a warm welcome to Amber. Not what I'd planned at all. I had intended to show her around the exterior of Bay Paradise Resort, then take her to watch one of our mind-blowing sunsets. With me. Wh
en I saw her on the deck, laughing, with Juan standing too close next to her, something in me tightened up.
Stupid. What she did in her personal life didn't concern me. I didn't plan to be a dick about employees dating each other, as long as it didn't become an issue. So why this urge to pull her away from Juan and drag her to a secluded spot in the woods? Back her up against one of those gumbo limbo trees and see how that sweet body felt pressed against mine.
Damn it. I pulled into the parking lot of my condo building and sat for a minute with the top down, letting the breeze cool my brain. I must have caught some kind of tropical fever, to be thinking that way about an employee. In Los Angeles, I dated, enough to keep me sexually satisfied. Mostly satisfied. Nothing more than casual, only women on the fast track like me, who had no desire to get serious.
I didn't want more than casual from a relationship right now. I had too much to do. The real estate market was still hot here in Florida, and I intended to take advantage of it by purchasing several more rental properties. And my other large project would really suck my time and energy. I didn't need any kind of distraction, especially not the female kind.
Not ready to head to my empty condo yet, I pulled up my email on my phone. A note from one of the lawyers that worked for us. Joel. Updating me on the status of a situation we'd been dealing with. An employee had been caught leaving his work site with a flash drive of sensitive material. He swore it was an accident, but in his division, management stressed over and over, no information was to be taken out of the building.
We were well within our rights to terminate him. Or we could take his word, give him a warning, end it there. The final decision rested with me. I turned on my stereo and let the tunes roll out. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back on the seat. So nice, to sit here and feel the breeze on my face, smell that ocean air. The perfect way to meditate and let my head clear out.
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