Page 88 of Scandalous Lover

We rolled up the long driveway to a house, that looked a lot like the school we just left, and I almost asked if it was his apartment building. Luckily for my little boy pride, I kept my mouth shut.

Fred opened the doors to the town car, and I ran after the guys through the massive front doors into what turned out to be one house. For one family. We went straight to the kitchen where we were greeted not by Ben’s mom, but the housekeeper, who was waiting for us with an entire meal of snacks and drinks.

It was months before I met any of their parents. Their lives were run entirely by staff members, and they all treated these adults like family and acted like it was normal. I tried to play along, but I was just pretending to understand.

That was just the beginning of nearly a decade of pretending to understand. To understand that people existed with so much excess when others had nothing. To understand that some families got to have their own pools and planes and yards bigger than parks all to themselves and didn’t have to share with anyone. To understand that some kids didn’t worry about anything.

This is not to say that I wasn’t grateful. Hell, I’m still grateful. The opportunities I had in life that were directly tied to the relationships I made during those years are plentiful.

Avery’s father recommended me to Cornell, where I wasguided into the Hotel Administration program, a decision that set me on the course to resort ownership.

Ben’s mother got my own mother a position at the local hospital in our town that had a day shift schedule and paid enough for her to let go of her second job.

Dom’s family was always going on vacation, and all of us boys were invited. I got to see parts of the world that the other people in my apartment building could only dream of visiting.

I laugh to myself now, remembering how often I hopped on a private jet and headed off to some fantastic destination, probably not more than five feet away from Naomi, the very person I’m now about to try to convince to stay home with me. I never paid her much attention; she was young enough that she occupied a different universe as me and the guys.

But I can’t help but wonder. Was she okay?

I shake it off as I reach the bottom of the wide, concrete staircase that runs between the two resort towers, leading down to the massive, central pool area and deck. The last thing I need right now is to let my mind wander. There will be plenty of time to stew over all the wasted years I could have spent with Naomi after this event goes off without a hitch.

I needn’t have worried. I’m sucked right into the whirlwind of troubleshooting, decisionmaking, and mediation that comes with the territory of being GM here at The Sands. It’s the perfect combination of my unique skill sets. My flow state. My favorite place to be.

Or it was my favorite place. Now when I think of my happy place, all that comes to mind is that moment locked in the shower stall with Naomi. My arms around her body as the hot water mixed with cool rain, perfectly encapsulating us in a moment in time.

It’s not that I would ever give up my position at The Sands. Not willingly anyway. But I’m starting to wonder if there mightbe more to life. I’ve always assumed I could have both. The Sands and my own little family.

But what if I had to choose?

I suck in a long, slow breath as a moment of complete clarity washes over me. I know what my decision would be, and I can hardly believe it.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Naomi

This is absolutely unreal.

I say a quick thank you to the gods of endless cloud storage as I snap photo after photo of massive centerpieces made entirely of woven grass and orchids. My attention is caught by glimmering copper, and I make my way over to where an orchestra of gongs and crystal singing bowls has been set up, ready to bathe the ceremony in sacred sound.

This is the kind of rich my father scorned. The flashy, wasteful, indulgent rich. He never so much as purchased a car that wasn’t black or a wristwatch that would have given himself away. And he wouldn’t let us kids behave that way either.

Or he wouldn’t let Dom anyway.

I was given a bit of a pass, allowed to buy myself the wardrobe of my wildest dreams. I guess he supposed subtlety was wasted on me anyway.

And look at me now. Living a life that’s completely visible, sprayed over the internet like hot pink silly string. No wonder the guy won’t talk to me.

I hop up and make my way back to the kitchen, where the crew is busy getting all the little snacks and appetizers ready for after the ceremony. I lean against a wall, trying to stay out of the way, and scroll through the shots I’ve taken. It’s hard to see the screen in bright sunlight, so some of the pics are a surprise even to me. It’s all epic though. The wedding practically screamsPost Me.

I bite my lip, wondering if that’s what this is all for. If these people wanted the most internet friendly party ever, or if it’s just a coincidence. Or if my jaded mind is just so used to looking for content in every situation I’m in, that it’s all I can see now.

“Hey.”

I jump at Sam’s voice and pocket my phone, shaking off my gloomy thoughts and forcing a smile. “Hey.”

“I looked everywhere for you.”

“I’ve been doing content for Fran. This wedding is going to make the most incredible posts.”

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