Page 64 of Unexpected Entanglement

But Rowan couldn’t enjoy the fake love for more than a second since Connor Gibbes was fast approaching them.

“Glad you could make it,” Gibbes said to Chris with a glance at Rowan.

Chris let go of her hand to shake Gibbes’ hand, and Rowan felt unmoored. But not too long. Chris put his hand, this time, on her back, and she felt steady again, enough to introduce Chris to some people before they finally sat down.

The meeting started as dull as usual, with the reading of last month’s meeting minutes and updates on several issues. Honestly, this was the reason she skipped the meetings.

“Miss Rowan Kelly,” Connor Gibbes calling her name, brought her out of her reverie. “It’s good to have you grace our meeting tonight. Earlier this week, you mentioned that you’d like to share your plans for the Bright Head Inn. Would you stand up, please?”

Shit. Here we go.

Chris gave her an encouraging smile as Rowan stood up. Her hands felt icy as she rubbed them together. Boy, she hated public speaking. But before she could start, Mickey Fitz, the Chamber’s Vice Chair and the island’s most prominent—out of two—realtor, fired up a question.

“Is the gentleman accompanying you who I think he is, Rowan?”

Rowan’s mouth opened and shut at the rude interruption. “And who do you think he is, Mickey?”

“Chris Sullens of The Sullens Hotels,” Mickey answered, as if he was the authority of everything Sullens-wise. “I should know. I’m just surprised I wasn’t aware that he’s on the island.”

“Why would you be aware of my fiancé visiting me?” Rowan asked with a straight face.

The room erupted with whispers, as if they weren’t gossiping about them already.

“So it’s true?” Mickey questioned.

“Why does it matter?” Rowan shot back.

“It matters because of who your fiancé is, Miss Kelly,” Gibbes said.

“I thought I was here to update you on the Bright Head Inn’s reopening plan.” Rowan continued, “We’re to have a soft reopening toward the second half of the summer into early October as we work out the kinks in our services and procedures. I’m looking at the possibility of numerous employment opportunities. I have also worked out verbal agreements for future collaborations with other local businesses on the island. I havea rough projection of what the inn could bring revenue-wise for the island if we work together.”

“What you would bring is the possible destruction of this island’s delicate balance, Miss Kelly,” Gibbes cut in. “Especially if you bring The Sullens into the mix. They are too big and disruptive to this island’s simple way of life.”

“Nobody’s bringing The Sullens into the mix,” Rowan stated.

“And yet, the heir to The Sullens Hotels sits next to you in this very meeting,” Gibbes pointed out.

“At your invitation, Mr. Gibbes. Chris doesn’t want to get involved in my business except to help me in getting the reopening on track. He has no financial influence or interest in Bright Head whatsoever.”

“How would he not? Isn’t he marrying you? How does your husband not get involved in your business?” Gibbes asked.

“Just the same way Mrs. Gibbes isn’t involved in yours,” Rowan pointed out. She knew Charlotte Gibbes hadn’t been involved in her husband’s lobstering business as soon as they could afford to hire out any administration job.

“If that is the case, why the secrecy?” Gibbes still wouldn’t back down. “From what I can surmise, nobody knew about your engagement, even your friend, if I recall.”

“Why do you think, Mr. Gibbes?” Rowan looked around the room. “Was anybody else’s engagement scrutinized at the Chamber of Commerce meeting?”

Some people looked down when Rowan met their eyes. But Bobbie, Morgan, and a few other fellow businesswomen nodded at her with big smiles.

Knowing Rowan wouldn’t break, Gibbes turned to the silent Chris and addressed him. “Mr. Sullens, please stand up? Let us get to know you a little better.”

Chris stood up and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. But I’d like to reiterate that I’m only here to support Rowan, Mr. Gibbes. I came to visit the island Rowan had talked about so much. Her home and her family legacy. I’ve only been here for a few days, but I can see why she loves this island and why she, Kieran, and all of you are very protective of it.”

“So you understand how your presence here could be alarming,” Gibbes said.

“I don’t see why,” Chris said calmly. “I’m only here on vacation.”

“You are known for building luxurious resorts in remote, untouched locations, Mr. Sullens,” Mickey said.

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