Page 29 of Scandalous Lover

“I might just do that.”

“I’m going to put a reservation for you on the books at Raft for dinner tonight.”

I look up in surprise at another small kindness coming from the lips of my formerly cold, absent brother.

And then an idea begins to form.

I saw the look on Sam’s face when he settled me into my room. The guy is nervous about me being here. This could be the perfect opportunity to get him alone for a chat and set things right between us.

And it will give me a chance to come clean about something else as well.

Something I should have told him back in Austin.

It’s going to suck, but this has already been the worst week of my adult life. What’s one more painfully awkward conversation?

Besides, if I want even a glimmer of hope for something more between Sam and me, I have to get this off my chest. I’ve learned my lesson about keeping big secrets and assuming no one will ever find out. When they inevitably do, and it’s not you who told them, it’s much worse than it would have been to have fessed up in the first place.

Ask my career how I know.

“Can you make it for two? I wonder if Sam would want to join me. I think you’re right about needing someone to talk to.”

Dom runs his hand through his hair as he considers. “I know damn well he doesn’t have any plans tonight, and that would get him out of his office for a few hours. I’ll message you and let you know what time.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

Dom leaves, and I’m once again in the last place in the world I want to be—alone with my thoughts.

I pull on my swimsuit with a cover up and toss my phone and a hat into a pink canvas bag. I decided when I got on that plane in Houston that I wasn’t running away to hide. I was just taking a vacation. I guess it’s time I start acting like it.

The huge crystal blue pool sits surrounded by a tan and cream tiled patio in the space between the two buildings of the resort. It’s flanked on either side by rows of colorful blue and sea-green canvas cabanas, filled with lounging pool goers. The sandy beach is a few short steps away, the cerulean ocean visible just beyond.

A girl could get used to this.

I’m just settling into a padded chaise lounge and tipping my wide brimmed hat down against the sun when a waiter in black shorts and blue resort polo sets a menu down on the little table next to me.

“Can I bring you a drink, Miss?”

I tip my hat to glance up at him, grateful for my enormous dark glasses when I lay eyes on the tall drink of water.

I can see why Dom was worried if all the male employees around here look like this.

Luckily, I’m still recovering from one scandal and not about to jump right into another.

Unless it’s with a certain handsome GM. I’d burn my whole life down for one more night with that guy.

Or what’s left of my life anyway.

Girl, get it together.

“I’d love a gin and tonic. Extra lime.”

“Coming right up.”

I tip my hat back down and settle into the chair. All in all, this isn’t so bad.

Sure, the social channel I’ve been working to build for thelast ten years is burning to the ground with what I thought was my online community—my friends—fanning the flames.

But I landed here in paradise with a one-way ticket and an open invitation.

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