Page 18 of Hired By the Enemy
Despite my uneasiness lingering from breakfast, it’s a good reminder that as far as gigs go, this is not a bad one. I’m literally getting paid to hang out by a pool at a tropical resort and work on my tan. It’s almost worth putting up with Matthew for that.
At midday, Matthew and his colleagues emerge from their meeting, blinking as they step into the bright light, and we all have a buffet lunch at the open-air restaurant. Even though we’re in the tropics, you can’t escape the approaching festive season, with a baby palm tree set up in a corner dressed in Christmas baubles and tinsel, plus a figurine of Santa holding a surfboard.
Matthew seems a bit off as everyone chats over lunch. He looks like he’s biting the inside of his cheek, which I know is something he always does when he’s upset.
We head back to the villa to get ready to go on the plannedsnorkeling excursion this afternoon, and I can’t keep my mouth shut.
“How did your meeting go?”
Matthew looks surprised I’ve asked. He blows out a breath. “Okay, I guess.”
“You guess?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “This retreat is supposed to be about hammering out the strategic plan for the company for the next five years, but there are a few points of disagreement.”
My forehead creases. “I don’t get it. Aren’t you the boss? Don’t you just get to decide this stuff?”
“Technically, yes, but there are other members of my management team who are also stakeholders. And I want all team members onboard with my vision.” He lets out another sigh, and I can see the tension around his eyes.
Seeing Matthew in grown-up mode is weird. And even more weird is my urge to make him feel better, which makes absolutely no sense.
Instead, I turn around to rummage through my duffel bag.
“So, what else do I need for this snorkeling trip?” I ask.
“Just your swimsuit, hat, and sunscreen. There will be the snorkeling gear on the boat.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Matthew and I get ready in silence. I don’t want to make any snarky comments because it feels like kicking someone when they’re down. And I realize I don’t really know how to talk to Matthew if I’m not insulting him.
We head down to the beach, where a shallow-bottomed boat is waiting to whisk everyone out to the edge of the reef.
I can’t help my eyes flicking to Matthew during the boat ride. He stares contemplatively out at the deep blue of the sea. What’s going on in that brain of his?
The boat zips through the water, only slowing down when we near the coral reef fringing the lagoon.
Once the engine is cut, everyone starts to chat excitedly as they claim a mask and flippers.
I hang back in the rush before coming forward to find some snorkeling gear to fit me.
The captain of the boat instructs us to stick with a buddy when we’re out on the reef, and I suddenly get why Matthew was desperate enough to hire someone to be his date for the week. It would have totally sucked to have had to play the third wheel with another couple.
I slowly sit on one of the bottom steps and slide on my flippers, trying not to show my nerves. No one else seems concerned as they climb down the ladder into the water and kick off in the direction of the reef.
Matthew and I are the last people left on the boat besides the captain.
“You ready to head out?” Matthew asks as he adjusts his mask over his face.
Fuck. I hate the thought of admitting any weakness to Matthew, but he’s going to figure it out soon enough.
“Um…I’ve never been snorkeling before,” I admit, my mask and snorkel still dangling from my hands.
Matthew looks like a surprised goldfish as he turns to me.
“Really?”
“Yes. Really. Some of us didn’t get whisked off to tropical holidays when we were kids.”
