Page 17 of Searching for Sunshine

Everett nods in acknowledgment. “Yeah, I was happy to hear you’re moving back.”

“Yeah, this wasn’t exactly how I saw my year going, but I’m honestly pretty excited about taking over the hotel.”

Bennett steps forward and reaches his hand out toward her. “Hey, I think we met a time or two years ago, but I’m Bennett, Wyatt’s best friend.”

“Yes, I remember. Nice to see you again. And this is Avery, my best friend,” Stella says, gesturing to where the tall blonde is standing. “Oh, and the pup’s name is Duke.”

My brothers and best friend all bend down to greet the dog before Avery asks, “Damn, what the hell do they put in the water down here? Does everyone in Crestbrook look like this?”

“Avery,” Stella yells, covering her face with her hands.

“What? I’m just speaking the truth.” Avery shrugs, looking unapologetic.

Everett, Bennett, and Trent all laugh at her outburst and I shake my head at them. “Okay, let’s get their shit moved in. Avery, which room are you in?”

“I’m in Room 112 down here on the first floor. I’ll show you where my car is parked. I really appreciate y’all coming over to help us,” Avery answers, walking toward the door.

“Sounds good. And Stella, you’re in the cottage off the back, right?” Trent asks.

“Yeah, I haven’t even been back there yet. We got caught up checking out the hotel. Let me go find the key in the stash by the front desk. Y’all can help Avery in the meantime. Wyatt, you’re waiting to move everything this weekend, right?”

“Yeah, with work and everything this week, I haven’t had time to pack everything. But since my apartment’s just down the street, I can knock it out in a few trips later.”

“Sounds good. Let’s get to it,” Bennett says, following Avery out to her car.

As they filter out of the lobby, Stella and I walk over to the counter and open the lockbox where the keys are. Duke follows us and lies at our feet while we start sorting through the stack.

“Oh my god, this is such a mess,” Stella says with a sigh. “When we grabbed Avery’s key, it was sitting on the top, so I assumed it wouldn’t be too hard to find. But I’m starting to think I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

“It’s going to be fine. We’ll find it,” I tell her, looking at the box Stella’s digging through. “Let me look through there.”

She moves out of the way, and I catch a whiff of her coconut and vanilla perfume before gesturing for me to take over the search. Sitting down in front of the box, I start checking the numbered keychains for a few minutes before realizing she was right.

“Jesus, when was the last time this was organized?” I mutter, and Stella laughs.

“Knowing my grandmother, probably at least ten years ago. She wasn’t particularly known for her organization skills.”

“I can see that. Let’s see—315, 204, 213, 215, 316, linen closet, 314, 115, pool cabana…” I mutter, reading out the key numbers as I sit them aside. “Wait, here it is,” I say triumphantly, holding out the key labeled “cottage.”

“Oh, thank god.” She sighs, reaching out to take it from my hand. “Want to go see our home for the next year?”

“Sure, let’s do it,” I tell her, letting her lead the way out of the side door toward the pool. Glancing around, it hits me that there aren’t any guests around. I know tourism is down around here, but it feels weird to be walking around a completely empty hotel. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but, uh, are there any guests around here?”

She laughs uncomfortably, looking around the patio. “I don’t really think so. Maybe a couple? I’ve gotta sit down with the reservation book tonight and try to figure that out, to be honest. Apparently, Miss Clara’s been managing everything since my grandmother passed, and I think this might be a bit of a bigger undertaking than I originally thought.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I assure her, following her down the small path to the cottage near the back of the property.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re—” she starts, coming to an abrupt stop on the narrow path in front of me. I barely have time to stop in front of her, reaching out to steady both of us while Duke barks happily at our feet.

“Oh my god, this place is going to need so much work,” she exclaims, looking at the overgrown vines snaking their way up the house.

I resist the urge to cringe as I notice the cracked window on the side of the house but I just shrug. “No big deal. I’m sure the inside is still in good shape. Let’s see what we’re working with in there.”

She nods and unlocks the door, pushing it open and stepping back. “No offense, but I’m gonna let you go first if you don’t mind.”

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid, Stella,” I tease, walking inside and taking in the living room and kitchen. “See, all good, There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“Okay, fine. I’m sorry I’m being a baby. And you’re right. The inside really doesn’t look that—” She starts letting Duke inside, walking toward the bedroom door, and opening it before letting out an ear-splintering scream.

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