Page 4 of Tempting Me

“Me?” he snaps and then laughs wickedly as he starts the engine and, like his employee, peels out. I spin to block the dirt from flying into my eyes. Pieces nick at my bare arms and legs, since I’m only wearing a halter tank top and shorts today. There isn’t a lick of wind, and it’s nearing ninety.

I’d be walking around in just shorts and my bikini top if there wasn’t construction happening. Which, now there isn’t.

When I turn back around, The Marina's parking lot is empty and the tailgate of Brent’s truck is all I see.

Jackass.

I get it.

But to be fair, it’s been a year, and Brent hasn’t even finished part one of my plan.

I tried to be patient. He can only send a couple of workers at a time, and I can only afford to let them stay in one of the lodges for free for so long, too. Business is busy everywhere but at The Marina, and everything takes longer with travel time, too.

But screw him. He promised me he’d get the job done, and he just bailed.

Oh god.

He just bailed.

He quit.

My only contractor quit.

“Shit!” I yell and startle when I hear my best friend, Grace, laugh as she stands in The Marina’s entrance.

“Is this a new form of therapy?” she asks.

I huff and march toward her.

“Brent just quit.”

The smile on her face drops. “You’re joking, right?”

I shake my head, push past her into The Marina, and stride right through the mini shop we have until I reach the bar.

Carl is working right now, but he moves on to another area of The Marina when I step behind the bar.

I have three employees as of this moment: Carl, Matt, and Brian. We all share the work between the bar, outdoor food service, the shop, and rentals. Matt is, however, the only cook, so he spends most of his time in the kitchen. I’ve taken over all the cabin cleanings.

Still, none of them will have a job soon if I don't make a plan fast.

“Shay, you can’t afford for him to quit,” Grace says.

“I know.”

“You need a new plan.”

“I know.”

I pour myself a glass of water from behind the bar, then refill Grace’s soda.

“Any chance you know of another contractor?”

Her face scrunches. “The lodge uses Luca.”

Grace’s family owns Lovers Lodge. It’s what our town is known for, and it brings in tourists all year round for weddings. Multiple magazines have featured them, and they are a thriving business. Like The Marina, they offer boat and jet ski rentals, but it’s nothing near what The Marina offers. They aren’t competition by any means, but their businessdefinitely helps mine and vice versa, and every day that ticks by is a day my family's business doesn't hold up.

I release a deep sigh, letting my gaze fall to the back wall that’s all windows. The mountain background and sun over the glassy lake gives the impression that all is calm in the world.

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