Page 77 of Gulfside Girls
Faye had spotted Henry.
Ali was uncomfortable with all the talk of her handsome new friend, so she tried to change the tone.
“Faye, this is Henry Hawkins. He owns the Seashell Shack; we’ll have to go over tomorrow for lunch.”
“Nice to meet you.”
He had a good smile; Ali couldn’t deny that. Faye looked at Ali and Henry a few times. Ali gave her little sister the stink eye to cool it with whatever mischief she was thinking.
Ali wasn’t feeling flirty or playful. She was feeling mad. That was it. She was mad as heck that Ted would have the gall to serve her divorce papers and make demands.
“Ali’s soon-to-be ex just dropped a bomb,” Erica said.
“Ah, I’m sorry. Divorce is a terrible process. I can attest.”
“Yeah, Sherry raked this one over the coals,” Erica explained. “Thank goodness you lost, though, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“I am glad for that every day. Sometimes, a loss turns into a win. If that’s any consolation.”
“Well, Ted, her soon-to-be ex, wants the proceeds of the sale of the Sea Turtle thanks to me opening my big mouth.”
“It’s not your fault. Well, maybe the timing is your fault,” Ali said and took a sip of the wine.
“I can’t help thinking the solution is obvious,” Erica said.
“What’s that?” Ali asked.
“Don’t sell this place. No sale, no major cash influx.”
Ali looked at Faye. “It’s not just about me. I’m one of three owners. My sisters are equal partners.”
Faye started hopping around like she was on fire. “No, she’s right! That’s it. We’re not selling. You’re going to run this place. And Ted can take half of the third of your green pool and suck it with a straw!”
Henry and Erica laughed.
“Oh, I like her already,” Erica said.
Ali loved the idea of running this place. She had been fantasizing about it from almost the first moment she’d stepped on the beach. She imagined waking up each morning here, taking a walk, having coffee on the deck, and, more than anything else, making wonderful memories for guests here.
But it was a fantasy. She knew that.
“Faye, I am not a resort manager.”
“You’re great at it. The Hafners and Nobles were going on and on at The Shack the other day about how you’d made their stay magical,” Henry said.
“I did not.” She deflected the compliment, but it gave her a warm feeling inside.
“Stop,” Faye said. “You’re always doing that. She ran the biggest convention center in Lucas County. For a decade. This place is tiny by comparison.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“It is, too. You handle the details and make people happy. Period. Why not do it here?”
Ali’s heart beat a little faster.Why not do it here?
“It’s crazy.”
“Both of us started again, right here, with my restaurant and her bakery,” Henry pointed out.
