Page 51 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

I shake my head.“Abi, stop planning our wedding.We’re not ready for that yet.”

But one look in Mae’s eyes and I know.If I were to ask her to run away and elope with me this weekend, she’d do it.

FIFTEEN

Mae

I close down the chat and open the accounting docs.I can’t believe how many sales I’ve closed.I’ve never once thought of myself as a salesperson, but I actually enjoy doing this.It helps that I really believe in the place and what we’re offering.We might be charging too much for it, but most people don’t blink an eye at the cost.

The door to the office opens, and Seth strolls in, suit coat on with a pink and gold tie.

I watch him as he gets closer.“You know, I think I like you better in a bathing suit.I mean, you look good, but I can’t stop thinking about the way you looked doing laps in the hotel pool.If we had been alone, I totally would’ve attacked you.”

Seth chuckles and leans against his desk, his thigh touching my arm.“Since when did you become such a tiger?”

A faint hint of aftershave tickles my nose as I stand and move closer to Seth, his woodsy scent surrounding me.“Since I know what I want but I can’t have it.It’s not fair.”I shouldn’t be pouty.I shouldn’t say anything at all.But I’m tired of all of this.

His eyes flick to my lips.I should step away, but I don’t.I move closer.“Booked another tent,” I say.

He raises his eyebrows.“Maybe I should hire you permanently.”

“You should.This is my dream.I love it here so much.”

His lips quirk up.“I didn’t mean working here.I mean working for me.As my personal assistant.”

I lean into him and, without thinking, wind my arms up around his neck.“If it means being with you all the time, sign me up.”New York changed things.Yes.I want to stay here, but if it makes him unhappy, I’ll follow him to the ends of the Earth.

He brings his head down, and just before our lips nearly touch, the door bangs open.We spring apart, but it’s only Yvette, one of the lifeguards.“Mr.Seth, Mr.Mark says he needs you immediately down by the water.”

“Of course he does.You coming?”he asks me, and I call to Deka so she can get some fresh air too.

A couple of women are sitting in the gazebo.“Hey, Seth,” one of them calls.He jerks his head around and gives her one of his devastating smiles.“How are you this morning, Suzanne?”

“I’ll be better if you agree to join me for dinner tonight.”

Seth steps closer to me.“We’ve been over this.I don’t fraternize with the guests.”

She wiggles her eyebrows and sips her coffee.Seth places a hand on my back and guides me down to where the kayaks are stored.I think about asking him about Suzanne and then realize she’s probably not worth a conversation.

Mark greets us at the river with a grim expression and points to two kayaks on the shore.

“What’s the matter?”Seth asks.

“Two.That’s all we’ve got left.”He jams his hand into his hair.

“Two what?”

“Kayaks.”

“What happened to the other thirteen?”

Wow.How can he pull that number off the top of his head?I’d have to look at the inventory spreadsheet to know.

“Over the last few weeks, five have sprung leaks.You have Levi installing bidets in all the cabins, fixing up kitchens, and overseeing all the new landscaping.He hasn’t had time to fix them.”

“I can spare Levi today, but that will still only leave us seven.We need more than that, don’t we?”

“We’ve got a group of ten people coming in today at noon.”

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