Page 77 of Visions of You

“Get them, unless she got something better in. I insist.”

“Well, I have to make my grandson happy, don’t I?”

With a wave, she swept out of the room, moving with a firm stride that belied her age. My smile lingered as I sat down to finish my breakfast.

My next stop was Evan. I was eager to discuss my idea with him and headed down the hill. Entering the lobby building, I swept my gaze around the large, open-air room. It was clean, though it hardly shouted the modern tropical vibe I wanted to imbue the resort with.

One step at a time…

The check-in desk stretched the length of the far side of the room,but my destination lay to the right. I walked down a hallway, passing doors on either side until I knocked on the frame at the end of the hall.

Evan glanced up. “Hey. Come on in.”

I sat in a chair in front of his desk. His office was painted white and had a large window overlooking the grounds. Garden cottages could be seen a distance away. “How’s today going?”

“A damn sight calmer than yesterday. I’ve kept pretty close tabs on Ted. He’s fine—no signs of the bends.” Then Evan smirked. “I figured you could handle the job of making sure April was all right.”

I kept my face expressionless. “And she is. She’s back diving this morning.” I shook my head. “It was pretty bad yesterday. For a while, I felt like it was all happening again.”

Evan’s smile was sympathetic. “But it wasn’t. Very different circumstances. And outcome.”

“I told April everything yesterday.”

His expression changed, and it took me a moment to figure out who it reminded me of. Evan’s calculating eye was the same Nona had used on me earlier. “That’s not a story you throw around often. You two getting serious? You’ve been together a while now.”

I scowled. “No—nothing’s changed. I still don’t believe in love. April’s not a fan, either.”

Evan burst into laughter.

My frown deepened. “What the hell’s so funny?”

“I can’t speak for April, but for a guy who doesn’t believe in love, you sure seem taken with her.”

“I like the woman. That’s all.”

Evan’s eyes grew warmer. “I saw you yesterday when you guys got back, Gabe. Your expression wasn’t that of a guy only interested in getting laid.”

“I never said I was!”

He held out a hand, but his smile remained. “Calm down. Do you realize your eyes follow her every time she enters a room?”

I stared at him, a hot flush creeping up my neck.Then I leaned forward. “I’m not in love with her. End of story.” Slouching back in my chair, I ignored my hammering heart. “Let’s change the goddamn subject. Are you okay after yesterday?”

My brother stared at me, then let the subject drop. “I’m fine. The debacle with Hunter was over a decade ago, and I’ve learned to handle dive emergencies. They crop up now and again—sometimes divers aren’t as advanced as they say they are. I’ve got personal experience with that, remember?” He frowned and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the desk. “You’re not still feeling that weird big-brother guilt thing about my accident, are you?”

I shrugged uncomfortably. “I have occasional what-if moments.”

“Well, stop. Gabe, only one person is responsible for what happened to me that day. Our bastard of a brother. He was hell-bent on looking for that goddamn imaginary gold, and I couldn’t let him go down there alone. At least I learned my lesson and won’t have anything to do with the son of a bitch.”

I kept my voice soft. “That son of a bitch is still your brother. And his name is Hunter.”

“He stopped being my brother a long time ago. The second we got lost inside that wreck.”

This was old territory, and it was clear Evan’s thoughts hadn’t changed on the matter. As much as I wanted Evan and Hunter to reconcile, I had no idea what it would take to make that happen. “I actually had a reason for coming down here this morning. I want to talk about my idea for upgrading the beach cottages.”

Evan’s brows shot up. “Can we afford that?”

“With some changes, yes. The last payment on that loan Dad took out is in two weeks, thank God. So that will free up some cash.”

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