Before I know it, we’re back at Chase’s suite. He goes to stretch out on the couch overlooking the beach, and I head into the bedroom to find some work clothes for tomorrow.
I have to admit, this break has been kind of fun, but I’m ready to get back to work. Even if it’s just until I figure out how to get the chocolate business back on track.
I pull out some jeans and a comfortable, plain gray tee shirt and figure it’s good enough. Then my phone rings. I grab it and head into the bathroom to take off my makeup for the night. “Hi, Fi, what’s up?”
Fi’s upset. It seems that a former client who booked weeks’ worth of her services is threatening not to pay. “Why the hell not?”
Fi tells me that this jerk is loaded and he’s always throwing his weight around. But now that it’s time to pay, he’s making up excuses. She says he put off the invoices three times already. He doesn’t even have any actual complaints, just vague unhappy with service language that’s starting to make her nervous. She doesn’t have enough money to take him to small claims court and he knows it.
“I’m so sorry, Fi,” I say, setting the washcloth down on the countertop, “that sucks. Is there anything I can do?”
Chapter Forty-Six
Chase
There are a few moments in the limo where Kaylee stares out the window as we ride home. She looks tired. It’s been a long day. I want to do something for her. This time, it’s not to thank her, it’s to show her that I care. I have no idea where this thing with Kaylee could go, but I’m not ready for it to end.
That’s when I remember. Tulips. Her favorite flowers. I text the concierge at the resort and make sure that I can get the arrangement tonight. As soon as possible.
That done, I stare out the limo myself. I can’t stop thinking about what Kaylee said. I do love everything about football, but wouldn’t it be scandalous to quit as CEO of a fortune 500 company to own a sports team?
Before I know it, we’re at the resort again. I go around to Kaylee’s door and open it for her. I have to sprint to beat Raymond to it, and he gives me a quizzical look. Which I ignore.
Kaylee and I enter the resort lobby hand in hand, not caring who’s around. Wait, scratch that. She’s totally scanning for Vivian, the horrible and relentless, but the coast is clear.
Anyway, tonight everything feels right. We get up to my room and can finally relax. I sit on the couch while I wait for the text from the concierge about the flowers. In the meantime, I get mesmerized by the sight and sound of the tide through the open windows.
When I finally get the text, I look around the suite to make sure it’s clear. Luckily, Kaylee is still in the bedroom. I wander over to the kitchen. I asked the concierge not to knock, so the flowers would be a surprise.
While I wait, I spy the open box of chocolates and flip it open. I’m still full of dessert, but there’s always room for a Scrumptious chocolate.
When I open the box, I’m greeted by the sight of only a single triangle-shaped chocolate. What the hell? Ashley. Only one left, that’s a real shame. At least she had the decency to leave one. I down the chocolate before my sister has a chance to come in and finish off the whole box.
My phone flashes and I check it. He’s here. I quietly open the door and grab the vase full of flowers. Two dozen of them, multicolored tulips. They’re absolutely stunning. I give him a very generous tip and quietly close the door.
Then I tiptoe toward my bedroom. The door is cracked open and I can hear Kaylee’s voice.
“Well, you know what happens when you deal with these spoiled, rich men. They think they can always get exactly what they want. It’s unbelievable.”
I freeze and feel a flash of anger in my chest. Is Kaylee talking about me? Sure, we argue sometimes, but I really thought we were past that. I don’t want to believe what I’m hearing. I take another step toward the door without being seen. I peek in, but she’s in the bathroom, and the door is ajar.
I strain to hear. “You’re right about that,” she says. There’s an edge to her voice now. “There’s nothing okay about rich, spoiled, fake people.”
I freeze, trying to process. For a few seconds, I’m quite sure that I stop breathing completely. What the actual fuck? Is she talking about me? No, it can’t be. I shake my head to lose the negative thoughts, even though my heart is still pounding, and my hand squeezes the vase of flowers so hard I hope it doesn’t burst.
Kaylee continues. “How does he not see that his money doesn’t shield him from being an asshole? I know. You’re absolutely right, they only suck up to him because of his money.”
My head swims. I move away from the door. As far away as I can get. I’m not holding my breath anymore, I’m hyperventilating.
How could I have been so wrong about her all this time? Was it all an act and I was just too blind to see it? And I thought I was falling for her.
I should have known better, every woman I ever thought about settling down with turned out to be after my money, not me. I cross to the other side of the suite to put as much distance between the two of us as I can.
Breathing heavy, I realize I’m still holding the flowers. I drop the vase quietly into the trash can. I wish it weren’t true. I wish the last few minutes never happened, but I heard it all firsthand.
I set up my couch bed and try to sleep, but I
