by Elyse Riggs
Ashley carries her boxes of skin care products, one of the boxes of chocolates, and a bottle of wine out onto the balcony while Liam and I sit back down on the couch.
We watch Ashley do her thing with the skin care creams. Although watching her, she spends more time downing chocolate and wine than with the products. I get the feeling that’s not going to negatively affect her followers, though.
At least watching Ashley gives me something to concentrate on other than thinking about Kaylee. Or talking to Liam.
As Ashley wraps it up, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I pull it out and stare at it. Then I tap on the text for more information. I can’t believe my eyes.
“What is it?” Liam asks.
“Oh shit.”
“What?” Liam is even more interested now.
“Okay, I’m willing to admit that maybe, just maybe, you’re right about Kaylee not being interested in me for the money.”
“What finally tipped you off?” he deadpans.
“She returned the money.”
Liam’s eyes got as big as saucers. “All of it?”
“Every penny,” I answer.
“No way,” Liam says.
I hear the patio sliding glass door open. “No way what?” Ashley asks. “What did I miss?”
“Kaylee returned the money,” Liam says excitedly.
“You’re kidding,” Ashley says. “She spent the weekend with you, Chase. I’m sure she earned every penny.”
I’m getting agitated by the attitude around here. “Yes, she returned the money. So what? All that means is that she’s a very stubborn person.”
“Not so,” Liam says. “Nobody’s ever returned a penny that I gave them, you?” He looks at Ashley.
“Not a chance.” Ashley answers. “Look, Chase. Either you had something real, or Kaylee’s the world’s best liar. And as a world class liar, I didn’t get that vibe from her at all. Face it, Chase. You had something real. Delicious even. And you threw it all away. Because you’re a hot head who doesn’t even like chocolate. Pity.”
“How drunk are you, Ashley?” I rage. “I happen to love chocolate.” This can’t be happening. This whole afternoon has felt like one gut punch after the other. I suck in a few breaths. Kaylee is not the world’s best liar; she’s the world’s worst liar and I know it. That makes me the worst. How could I not have seen it? She must have been telling the truth the other night when she was drunk.
“I’m going down there,” I announce. Then I stand up, wobble, and sit back down. “Just as soon as I have a couple of cups of coffee. And an aspirin.”
“Oh,” Ashley says, “I’ll have some of that too. Then where are we going?”
“Where else?” I answer. “The Beaky Tiki. I think it’s about time I ask her what the hell she thinks she’s doing.”
“Oh, that sounds like a terrible idea,” Ashley says. “I’m in.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Kaylee
A few drinks later I’m feeling a little bit better.
Angie finishes her drink and sets the glass back onto the table. “Listen, Kaylee, it’s going to be okay. We’ll help you figure all of this out. You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
I smile even though I know it’s going to take a very long time.
“Right,” Fi adds. “Hey, fall charity season is right around the corner. There will be lots of events needing great chocolate. I can try to put the squeeze on those other companies and get you some extra business.”
“Thanks, guys. I’m starting to feel a lot better about everything now. Seriously.” Something on the beach catches my eye. “Son of a bitch!”
Fi cocks her head to the side. “Huh, that last bit seems a little uncalled for.”
“What?” I ask. Then I realize what she means. “Sorry, it’s just that there’s Ralph. Again. Power walking the beach. Heading in the same direction as before. Every single day, the same thing.”
I put my glass down on the table and decide. “That’s it, I’m going to follow him.”
“Follow who?” Angie asks.
“Ralph.”
“Ralph,” Angie says. “You mean your ex-boss Ralph? Why the hell would you follow him on his late afternoon power walk?”
“Let’s call it a hunch,” I say, grabbing my purse. “I’ll follow him and figure out what the hell he’s up to because it’s bothering me. Then I’ll come back. And the walk will help me clear my head.”
“You need backup” Fi asks.
“No, I’ve got it. I’ll text you guys soon, okay? Thanks for the drinks.”
“Have fun, Nancy Drew!” Angie calls.
I laugh as I head out at a brisk walk toward the setting sun. Then I turn right and continue at a comfortable distance away from Ralph. Right now, there aren’t a lot of people out, so it’ll be nearly impossible to lose him.
I follow him until he’s in front of the resort. I expect him to turn back toward the kitchen where I used to work, but he doesn’t. He keeps walking.
I’m relieved. Heading back in to work would be a very lame mystery. Curiosity is driving me now, and it’s got the added bonus of taking my mind off of stupid Chase.
Ralph walks for a few more minutes, passing several more hotels before he finally heads away from the beach, and toward a small but elegant looking strip mall.
I watch as he goes to one of the stores, pulls out a large key ring, and lets himself in. Now I’m getting somewhere. As soon as I see the door open and shut, I wait a few seconds and then follow.
The sign on the business says Ooh Lala French Restaurant. I guess he’s starting his own business. Good for him. For some reason, even though he fired me today, I let myself in. I guess I want to talk to someone, anyone, about something other than Chase Covington.
As I open the door, a bell chimes. That brings Ralph running from the back of the restaurant, a shaky kitchen knife in his hand.
I hold up my hands and take a step back. “Whoa, Ralph. It’s just me.”
He looks genuinely confused. But he still lowers the knife. “Kaylee? How did you know I was here?”
“I followed you,” I admit, looking around. The place is nice, cozy. The accents are adorable, all knickknacks from the French countryside and cute patterned tablecloths. “You’ve taken the same walk in the same direction, like, a dozen times this weekend. I was curious, that’s all.”
He lifts the knife again. “Did you come to yell at me for firing you?”
I pull out a chair and sit. “No, I don’t blame you. For the record, I never meant for any of it to happen. I helped a guest at the resort, got my heart broken, and lost my job. I guess I’m just a sucker.”
He lowers the knife. “But an exceptional pastry chef.”
I smile. “Thanks. Hey, good luck with the restaurant. When does it open?”
“Tomorrow,” he says. “As it turns out, today was my last day as well.”
“Tomorrow? There must be a million things to do. Let me help.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” he objects.
“Hey, I need something to take my mind off my troubles.” I answer, leaving no room for him to argue. “Let me just text my friends that I’m okay.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chase
Okay, so it takes a little while for me, Liam, and Ashley to sober up enough to go down and confront Kaylee.
By the time we get down there, the sun has set and there is a refreshing sea breeze that helps me sober up.
How dare she return the money? As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right. The board of directors would not have found in my favor without her. And now, the only reason I can think of for her to give back the money is to make me look bad. Or feel bad.
Before long, I can see the lit torches of the Beaky Tiki. Shit, I haven’t been here since that first night with Kaylee. Everything about this damn place reminds me of her.
The three of us go striding in like we’re ready for a brawl. In reality, there a
re only a few people here. It’s mostly couples sipping drinks and eating burgers. It was so much more crowded a few days ago.
Even worse, there’s no sign of Kaylee.
“Well, where is she?” Ashley asks.
“I don’t see her,” I answer.
Liam shrugs.
I exchange disappointed looks with Ashley and Liam. Then without a plan B, we head to the bar.
I sit down and realize I’m in the same exact seat looking at the same exact coconut monkeys. Fuck. This is a bad idea. I should get the hell out of here now, while I still can.
That’s when the same waitress from Thursday night appears behind the bar suddenly and gives me the stink eye. I can hardly believe it. I didn’t notice before, but her name tag says Abigail. “Bloody hell,” I say.
Ashley catches the exchange. She’s enjoying my misery too much. “Friend of yours?” she asks.
“I’m afraid your tab’s been closed out permanently,” Abigail says before turning to Ashley.
“If I knew you were with him, I wouldn’t have sold you the last of my chocolates.”
Ashley holds her hands up. “Hey, I can’t help being his sister. Besides, I’m on Kaylee’s side.”
I give Ashley a dirty look. Then I turn back to Abigail. And I consider her words. What kind of bar, or any business for that matter, refuses service to a Covington? “What did I do to deserve that?”
“I heard about what you did to Kaylee. This bar’s now off limits. To you. She can have a drink,” she points at Ashley.
“Thank you,” Ashley says.
“Still not sure about him, though,” Abigail says to Liam.
Liam starts to pout. “Let’s go elsewhere, where we’re appreciated, Chase.”
I agree with Liam, but I still can’t let it go. “Well, you didn’t hear what she said about me.”
Abigail leans forward onto the counter. “Do tell, asshole.”
“Hey,” Liam says.
“No, I’ll allow it,” Ashley interjects. “I mean, Kaylee didn’t actually say anything to you, right? You were sneaking around eavesdropping. And you’re only mad now because she gave back the money. Oh yeah, I’ll have a Gray Goose and cranberry with a twist.”
“Hey,” I object. “I wasn’t sneaking around. Okay, I was sneaking around. But it’s my hotel room. And do you want to know why I was sneaking around? To give her flowers. Tulips, her favorite.”
Abigail tries to take it all in. She nods to Ashley and starts to make the drink. “What do you mean, she gave back the money?”
“Sent it right back. And good for her,” Ashley answers.
I glare at Ashley. She’s not helping. Well, she’s not helping me, anyway.
For the first time I see Abigail’s expression soften. “Hey, tulips are Kaylee’s favorite. What did you say you overheard?”
“Just what a rich jerk I am and how she can’t stand me and how people only like me because I’m rich. And she gave back the money. Who does that?”
Abigail concentrates for a moment, like she’s considering her next words carefully. “I’m sorry, but what you’re saying you overheard doesn’t sound like Kaylee. Even if it’s true and you are a jerk, she’s just not the kind to dump on you like that. Well, before you did this to her. Now she’s mad. Now you’re toast.”
I slump into my seat. Right now, I would really like a drink. Even though I just sobered up. And the stupid coconut monkeys are all staring at me.
“Wait,” Abigail says. “Fi and Angie are still here. Hang on.” She turns toward the ocean side of the bar and starts screaming loud enough for everybody to hear. “Hey, Fi and Angie!”
I wave my hands to try to call her off. The last thing I want is my drama screamed across the bar. She ignores me.
“Did one of you talk shit on the phone last night about a rich asshole?”
My gaze goes from a maniacally grinning Ashley, who’s enjoying all of this, to Abigail, and then to the general direction she was shouting at. Two incredibly angry looking women are coming this way.
“It’s him,” I hear the dark haired one yell to the blond. “Of all the nerve.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” The blond says to me as she arrives.
“Look,” Abigail says. “Ignore them for now. I’m on a fact-finding mission. Did either of you have a conversation with Kaylee last night?”
I think back. “Last night, nine-thirty-ish.”
Abigail looks at me to confirm the timeline and I nod.
“Oh,” Fi cries out, “me. I talked to Kaylee last night. Why? That doesn’t change the fact that Chase is an asshole.”
“True,” Abigail says. “But in that conversation, what exactly did you two talk about?”
Fi takes a sip of her drink as she thinks. “Um, I called to talk about Pete the dick.”
“What?” I ask.
“Peter Chisholm, the biggest, richest dick. Well, local dick. He stiffed me on the last three charity events I did for him. Causing me no end of problems.”
“Wait,” Abigail says, “you’re saying that you called Kaylee so that she could commiserate with you about the fact that Peter Chisholm is an asshole rich guy who screws everybody while they kiss his ass?”
“Yes, that,” Fi says, pointing. “It’s true, too.”
I jump in, figuring out where Abigail is going with this. “Did you at any point say people only kiss up to him for his money, or something like that?”
“I did indeed,” Fi replies. “Because it’s true.”
Abigail gives Fi a look. “Chase bought Kaylee tulips last night and tried to surprise her but heard her on the phone saying how much she hates asshole rich people.”
“Oh,” Fi says as her eyes go wide in horror. “Oh no.”
“No, that can’t be,” Angie says. “That’s why you turned cold as ice to her? That’s weak, dude. You suck. She wasn’t even talking about you.”
I don’t even try to answer her. I know that she’s right.
“Furthermore,” Angie continues, “misunderstanding or not, I think she deserves better than you. You bailed the second you thought something went wrong.” Angie stands up. “You know what she did for you? She lied to us, her friends, who love her. She lied to her coworkers and it cost her the job that she needed. She was surrounded and terrified by paparazzi today. It was scary, Chase. She put up with all of that for you, but the first-time things got iffy on your end you bailed.”
Fi lifts her drink to Angie. “Yeah, that’s right, baby. You don’t deserve her. The shit she put up with all weekend for you, her personal life turning into a dumpster fire, all while saving your ass for a stupid job you don’t even like. So unfair. And then you turn full asshole and drive her away. Unbelievable.”
There are a few seconds of silence after that. The words hit me like a sledgehammer. If someone had told me five minutes ago that it was possible to feel even worse about the situation than I already did, I wouldn’t have believed them.
“What was that about a job you hate?” Liam asks.
“Nothing,” I answer. There’s nothing left to say. “It’s nothing. These ladies are right. We should get out of here.”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Kaylee
Several hours later, Ralph has the kitchen area of the restaurant ready to go and I’ve finished organizing the tables, silverware, menus, and condiments.
I stand back and admire my work. Ralph walks in from the back kitchen, several rags thrown over his shoulder.
“Well, Kaylee, I think I’m actually ready to open at lunch time tomorrow. As planned.” He glances at his watch. “I’ll even get a decent night’s sleep. How can I ever thank you?”
Honestly, it feels good to do something productive and helpful. For a few hours I forgot all about Chase Covington. I don’t need any thanks. “It looks good, Ralph.”
“Hey, you know what a French restaurant really needs? A good pastry chef.”
I turn to him, but he doesn’t look like he�
��s messing with me. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he says. “You do excellent work. And you say this whole tabloid thing is behind you?”
“Oh, he’s long gone on a private jet by now.” I can’t believe my luck. A restaurant like this will pay more than Banana Burger for sure. I hate to push my luck, but there’s only one thing that could make it better. “Um, Ralph. One quick question. In my off time, and when the restaurant is closed, can I use the counter space to make my chocolates?”
“Deal,” he says, extending a hand for me to shake.
I smile, surprised at the way tonight turned out.
Who knew? The walk home is very satisfying. I helped someone in need, someone who had fired me no less, and it ended up okay in the end.
It’s a complete contrast to me helping out the billionaire who ended up stabbing me in the back. For the first time today, I feel a little bit hopeful about the future.
Chapter Sixty
Chase
I wake up in a haze. What day is it? And just how much did I drink last night?
Then it all comes flooding back to me. Blowing it with Kaylee, confronting her friends, drinking with Liam and Ashley. Ugh, I feel like shit. In every way possible. What do I do now? I’m supposed to feel better. I got exactly what I’ve always wanted, to be named CEO. But now I don’t feel better about anything.
And there’s no way in hell I’m getting on a plane. The one person I want is right here in St. Tropic.
I get out of bed and stagger into the living area to stare at the beach. Like I used to do with Kaylee. It feels like I’m standing at a crossroads.
The thing is, for a few days, Kaylee made me a better man. She had my back, even when I was being a jerk. And she wasn’t after my money. I know that now for sure. What I had with Kaylee was real, and I blew it. She even noticed what I’m passionate about. She pointed it out because she cared about me. About my future.