Page 22 of Room for Improvement

“And what brings you to sunny California Ms. Holte?”

She grinned up at him. It was best to avoid openly telling people she was a resort reviewer, lest they try to ‘help’ her write the review. Other people’s impressions could well cloud her own. “The launch of the Royal Resorts Platinum Collection brand in the US, are you kidding me? I had to come and take a look.” She leaned in and whispered. “And I got a good deal on my room.”

There. Not a lie.

If Bryce went to the trouble to look her up online, he would see she was a reviewer. She wasn’t hiding who she was, just not making a thing of it.

Bryce Jones. I like that name. It suits him.

She especially liked the way it slipped easily from his lips. And the way it sent a shiver down her back. For the second time in less than a day, she found herself privately ogling this man.

“May I help you?”

Bryce’s gaze shifted from her to the server at the front counter. Her new gentleman friend was at the head of the line. Vivian went to take a step aside, but a warm hand took hold of hers and drew her gently back. “Come on, let me treat you to breakfast Vivian.”

His deep brown eyes rendered her powerless to refuse his generous offer. It took a great deal of effort for her to tear her gaze away. She glanced at his hand, to his ring finger. It was bare, and there was no tell-tale sign of a wedding ring tan.

Please lord don’t let this guy be a serial away cheater. Don’t let him be lying to me or anyone else. I’ve had enough of liars and cheats.

She lifted her face and found him staring at her. His gaze informing her he had watched her furtive move. “Rest assured, Vivian, there are no social obligations which would preclude me from sharing breakfast with a lovely young woman.” Bryce had read her mind.

There was something about the way he talked that had her figuring her breakfast companion had received a quality education. More than likely an expensive one. And the rounding of some of his words reminded her of Grace. They both spoke like someone who had either lived overseas or regularly mixed with the sort of people who owned houses in the wealthy enclave of the Hamptons.

“Sorry,” she replied. Her trust issues were not going to go away any time soon.

Bryce turned to the counter staff. “Good morning. We would like to order two of the breakfast burritos. I’ll have a medium café latte, with a triple shot of espresso. And my friend…” He glanced back at Vivian over his shoulder and playfully raised his eyebrows.

She couldn’t help but smile at him. Bryce made her feel like a giddy miss from the eleventh grade. “A caramel latte, please.”

His brows rose ever higher. “And I had such hopes for our friendship. Flavored coffee…you crush me, Vivian.”

He was still shaking his head in mock disgust when they finally made their way over to a nearby table and sat down. When their coffees arrived, Vivian took a sip of her sweet drink. She did her best to suppress a shudder as the first mouthful went down. The kitchen had been heavy handed with the syrup, and it bordered on sickly. But she drank it. Her new friend might well sit in judgment of her beverage taste, but it was a hill she was prepared to die on. Or at least lose a tooth over.

“And what brings you to the resort, Bryce? Don’t tell me it is just their triple espresso,” she teased.

“I deserved that. I must apologize, I am known as a bit of a caffeine snob. I’ve lived overseas for a few years and the coffee here in the States still has some way to catch up with Europe. I arrived in town earlier in the week for a home trade show and I heard about this place and thought it would be nice to take a couple of days off to get some R&R. Home shows are long nights and lots of talking to people.”

The little bubble of hope thinned in her chest. It wasn’t as if she wanted to date this man, but the notion that he didn’t even live in the same country came as somewhat of a disappointment.

“So you don’t live in the US?”

* * *

Shoot. He had slipped up on the lie. Now Vivian was intrigued about where he lived. He really ought to get better at lying, but Bryce struggled at duplicity.

“I…I have recently moved back. I’m currently based in San Diego.”

Leave it at that, she doesn’t need to know any more of your backstory. The less bullshit you try to wade through, the better.

His relief when Vivian simply nodded and let the matter go was palpable. She didn’t offer any information about her own career, and he got the impression she wasn’t all that interested in discussing it. The food arrived and Vivian’s eyes lit up. “This looks good, let’s eat.”

They tucked into their breakfast. The first mouthful of his burrito had Bryce quickly forgetting about his eggs and bacon. He might privately frown at them but when it came to the combined might of eggs, potato, and cheese all wrapped up in a fresh tortilla, he was powerless. His stomach grumbled its avid approval. Even the coffee was good. Bryce was however still undecided as to whether this minimalist menu was the right way to go. Only time, and guest feedback would tell the true story.

But we definitely need more staff during the breakfast shift.

The food was delicious, and so was the company. He couldn’t help but notice the furtive glances which Vivian shot his way every so often. She seemed as interested in him as he was in her.

His life lacked the simple joy which came from sharing moments of pleasure. It had been far too long since he’d taken time for himself to stop and smell the roses. He was at a holiday resort, where people came to relax and recharge.

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