“Laine, I would like you to meet my boss and friend, Max Magiano. Max, this is our author in residence, Laine Fulton,” she said with a smile.
Laine gave her a smile in return and took Max’s extended hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Max.”
“And it’s a pleasure to have you at our hotel. I hope you have enjoyed your stay.”
“It’s been perfect. The property is extraordinary. The food exquisite. And the customer service—” she stopped and glanced at Riley—“matchless.”
Max patted Riley softly on the back. “This is a special lady.”
“She has been a wonderful hostess, I assure you.”
“Well, I’m glad you have had everything you need. Please accept my apology for not saying hello before now. Between some upcoming contracts, this event tonight, and this storm, I have been too busy.” Riley watched as Max caught sight of his guests beginning to come through the doors of the restaurant. “We’d love for you to join us for dinner tonight if you’d like, Ms. Fulton.”
“Please, call me Laine. And I think I will stay with Riley and our other friends this evening since we’re all headed out tomorrow. But thank you for the invitation.”
“Riley, take good care of them. Get them whatever they want, on me.”
Riley smiled and patted Max. “Thank you. We’ll see you at the concert. Your tables are all ready for you in the front, and don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you. Well, if you’ll excuse me, ladies.”
Laine nodded as Max headed toward the door.
“Thank you,” Riley said, pointing Laine toward their table.
“For what?” She put her hand mockingly to her chest. “Were you afraid I was going to say something to embarrass you?”
Riley raised an eyebrow. “You? No. I figured you’d just snatch me away again and make me miss something else important.”
Laine’s eyes widened. “What happened? Something else?”
“The VIPs all showed up an hour early today.”
She could see it was registering. “And I had you at Aquaventure.”
Riley nodded. She let her marinate in it for a moment.
“I’m so sorry. Was he mad?” Her anxiousness was evident.
Riley laughed, not wanting Laine to drown in the torture. “No. Thankfully I had everything ready, and Mia executed everything just like I would have.”
Laine nodded slowly. “Of course she did.”
“Stop it, Laine. You’re being nice tonight,” she said, sitting at the table. “And I’m ordering dinner tonight. Not you.”
“My, my, you’ve gotten bossy.”
“Just trust me.”
Laine looked down at the table. “Why are there all these plates?”
“We have extra guests.”
“So you took care of the roster, too?”
“Yes, this is my evening. You had your morning. The evening is mine.”
Laine crinkled her nose.
“Sit. You don’t always have to be in control, Laine. It’s an illusion anyway. There is no such thing. Now sit.” She smiled.
Laine obeyed. Twice in one day she had sat when told. Maybe miracles did still happen.
“And where’s your notebook?”
Laine raised her head in mock indignation.
Riley smiled. It was no longer about work for Laine. My, how far they had come.
Christian walked through the door with a young man who matched his six-foot frame. When they reached Laine and Riley, he introduced his friend. Lance Tyson had been working at The Reef for the last two months. He was still getting used to the job and to the area. He had moved here from Boston and his heritage came out with every syllable. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, and his biceps bulged slightly beneath the pressed sheen of his white cotton button-down.
Christian slipped into the seat beside Riley. His chocolate brown shirt only made the deep brown of his eyes more immersing. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.
Riley fingered her curls. She ran her hands nervously down the front of her khaki and white linen sheath dress. “Thank you.”
They were interrupted by the arrival of Winnie and Tamyra; Mia followed only a few moments later. When all the seats were taken and all the introductions made, the feast began to arrive. They would start with sushi.
Tamyra passed a plate in front of Winnie. “Taste it.”
Winnie eyed the raw tuna. “I do not eat food that has yet to be killed. I was raised on a farm, Tamyra. We wrung the chicken’s neck before we ate it.”
Tamyra didn’t move the plate. “I got in water today, Winnie. Eat the tuna.” Then offered her a cheesy smile.
Winnie pursed her lips and twisted them to one side. Tamyra took her own fork and placed a piece on Winnie’s plate, then politely passed the dish. The entire table tried to pretend they weren’t waiting to watch Winnie eat the tuna. But they were. Finally Laine broke the silence.
“For pete’s sake, Winnie, eat the blasted tuna. You’ve done things you never thought you’d do this week. No need to stop now.”
Winnie cocked her head at Laine, stabbed the tuna with her fork, and popped it in her mouth, chewing intentionally, all while staring Laine straight in the eye. Laine offered a satisfied smirk.
“I can see you ladies have had an interesting week.” Christian laughed.
Laine shook her head. “Christian, interesting doesn’t even begin to define the week we’ve had.”
All four paused for a moment. Then laughter erupted around the table. As the food came like a revolving door across their table, their conversation transpired virtually the same way. Tamyra and Lance were engaged in conversation, Laine prodded Christian mercilessly, Winnie braved the conch seviche, and they all devoured Chilean sea bass, black cod with miso, and shrimp and lobster with spicy lemon sauce. Riley couldn’t have asked for a better evening.
“So, Mia . . . ,” Laine began. Riley involuntarily began to hold her breath. “Riley
