Page 85 of Release Me

“Yeah, briefly. Why?”

“Because he booked today off and …” I collect the newspaper from my desk and hold up the Wolf job fair ad. “Do you know about this?”

Her gaze darts to the floor but not before I catch the grimace of guilt.

My shoulders sag. “So, it’s true. He’s applying to Wolf?”

“I don’t want to get in the middle of this!”

“Come on. I know I’m putting you in a tough position, but I need to know.” I already have nine reservations for next week.

She hesitates, glancing behind me, no doubt to search for help from Skye, who is conveniently still hiding. “Jeremy mentioned something about applying there.”

My arm flops to my side with the article. “Great. I knew it. He’s as good as gone.”

“Not necessarily?—”

I glare at her, and she presses her lips together. We both know Jeremy’s a shoo-in.

“So, I’m going to be down to one captain for high season.” We normally run three boats a day.

She winces. “I think AJ might be applying there too.”

“Are you kidding me?” I shriek. “Why are you just telling me this now?” My anger flares.

The coffee shop door jangles and Rebel uses that as her excuse to scurry back to the other side.

Frank swaps places with her, his expression grim.

“What do I do?” I look at him helplessly.

“They got a right to leave if they want to.”

“Yeah, fine, but don’t commit to me for the season, then! And when are they going to give me notice?” I press a hand against my chest as panic sets in. “I have to stop taking bookings today. Now. At least until I know what’s happening.” But if I close Sea Witch’s calendar, people won’t wait, they won’t call in. They’ll just move on to our competitors. I’ll lose business either way.

Frank holds up a brown paper bag with another scone inside. In his giant hand, it looks miniature. “Why don’t you take this to Gigi?”

So she can talk me off the ledge, he doesn’t have to say. “She’s at the pool all morning. And I don’t want to stress her out about this.” She wasn’t any happier about the hotel opening than I was. Frankly, I blame Henry Wolf for her waning health.

“Okay. I’m gonna head down to the docks to do maintenance on the boats and then I’ll be movin’ equipment, if you need me.” He sets the paper bag on the desk and wanders away, leaving me to stew.

Skye is sitting cross-legged on the floor in the office, surrounded by file folders.

“What do you know about this?” No doubt she heard every word.

She smiles uneasily. “Jer’s tired of juggling jobs throughthe year. He wants somewhere full time, with benefits and all that.”

“Yeah, I know.” I can’t blame him. And he did come to me, asking for more hours. “What about the others? Who else besides AJ?”

She hesitates. “Ron texted me a few weeks ago?—”

“No. Are you kidding me? Ron too!” I paid for that guy to get his USCG Captain’s license for pulling riders on that stupid giant inflatable banana boat that Frank convinced me to buy. “He’s supposed to be staying in Surf’s Up this summer!” What does he think, I’m going to let him pay next to nothing in rent while working for someone else?

“I don’t know for sure!” Skye says, her voice high-pitched. “He didn’t say anything specific, but I got the feeling he’s curious.”

How many others are “curious” about the new hotel in town? Is there going to be anyone left? My eyes burn with the threat of tears. “What is Wolf paying people, anyway?” Could I match it?

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I always knew I was coming here.”

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