Page 68 of Scandalous Lover

I almost laugh at how ridiculous that idea seems now.

This may be a terrible plan. It might mean the end of all I’ve worked for, all I’ve helped build here. But I’m not strong enough to walk away.

ChapterTwenty-One

Sam

“Sam, do you have a minute?”

The voice stops me in my tracks as I step into my office.

The answer is no. I’m just here to grab my keys before escaping to the oasis in the jungle that I call home for the rest of the day and my day off tomorrow.

“Of course, Maria, what’s up?” I pocket my keys and lean back against my desk, trying to show her a calm, welcoming face.

She comes in and closes the door behind her.

Bad sign.

Maria has been dealing with some medical issues this season, and this isn't the first time we’ve met behind closed doors about it. The resort has been helping out with the bills from the local clinic, as insurance isn’t a thing on this island, but deep down, I knew this day was coming.

“I’m…” Maria casts her eyes down as emotion overtakes her after only one word.

I take a step forward and lay my hand on her shoulder. “You’re safe here, Maria. Take your time.”

She brushes tears from her cheeks without meeting my eye. “I think it’s time for me to go stay at my sister’s house in the States.”

I nod, even though she isn’t looking at me. It was only a matter of time before she was going to need care that just isn’t available at our little island clinic.

“I’m really sorry to hear that. I’m glad you have somewhere to go, though. Your sister is ready for you to move in?”

“Yes,” she says, finally meeting my eye. “She’s been trying to get me to move for months. She lives in a city, close to hospitals where I’ll be able to start treatment if that’s what I need.”

“Well, I’m sad to see you go, but I’m happy to hear you’ll be getting the treatment you need to stay healthy.”

She nods sadly. “I know I'm leaving you in a bit of a lurch, Sam. I just took over the social media management this season and already I'm having to quit on you.”

I shake my head and start to speak, to tell her that nothing is more important than her health, but she waves me off. “I can still do the posting for as long as you need if someone can just send me pictures. I’ll get that set up with the other front desk workers. Everyone can send a few pictures a week, and I’ll still be able to make posts from the States.”

“I’ll rally the front desk in a meeting next week and we’ll come up with a plan, okay? You worry about getting yourself back to the States safely. Let me know how we can support you. I’ll arrange the taxis and even the flights if you need.”

Her smile is sad, but genuine. “Thanks, Sam. I’ll be back just as soon as I can.”

I return her smile, trying to keep my emotions in check. The last thing she needs is to see her own failing healthreflected back to her in my eyes. “You’ll always have a job here.”

With pursed lips and damp eyes, she turns and leaves my office.

I drag my hand down my face. Between the incredible kiss upstairs and this terrible news, I’m feeling on the edge of becoming overwhelmed. I check my desk one last time to make sure I’m not forgetting anything and then make my escape.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Sam

My house is three small buildings, in a low-lying area in the jungle on the north end of the island. It was built as employee housing for the estate further down the road but was sold off by the new owners when they turned the mansion house into a vacation home. I was lucky enough to snag the property for a song the first year we moved to the island to start renovating The Sands.

The largest of the buildings is my main house. It has a large open room on the lower level with a finished bathroom and ladder loft. I’ve arranged the main room to function as a living room with a couch and small TV, as well as a kitchenette of sorts with a coffee maker and mini fridge. The actual kitchen is in the next building, separated from the main house by a short path. Last fall I installed a slanted, a-frame corrugated metal roof over the walkway, so I can stay out of the rain when heading over to cook in one of our many tropical rain showers.

It’s a bit unorthodox, as the guys like to tease me about from the comfort of their mansions, but it’s more my style. I love the feeling of living in a house that really could only exist in a placelike this. All three of my friends and co-owners live in houses that could easily be in the States, or anywhere else, with imported furniture, central air, and massive refrigerators.

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