Page 73 of A Taste of Paradise

‘Yes, Lily’s already pretty much got it all under control,’ she assured him. ‘Entertainment kicks off at sunset, though the barbecue will officially start at six. Food will be available till the dancing starts, then fireworks at eight and we let the bonfire die down before midnight,’ she divulged and her boss nodded his appreciation, though his gaze only left the file for a second to acknowledge her. He was a tiny man with such a big job, one that Erin couldn’t help but think consumed him more than hers did. Was he a good example of what she would become?

She shuddered at the thought.

‘Wonderful,’ Grant mumbled distractedly over the top of another file. ‘Forgive me,’ he added. ‘Mr MacKenzie requested going over the financials and confirming due diligence before Discover Earth officially rubber stamps our partnership.’ He smiled then, easing some of the wrinkles that had formed in his brow.

‘All work and no play, Grant. I hope you’ll come along and join in the fun tomorrow night? And don’t worry, it didn’t cost nearly as much as you think,’ Erin assured, and he laughed.

‘I don’t always care about the dollars and cents, you know,’ he countered, though she could still see the lines that divided his forehead into dunes.

Grant may not, but Head Office surely did.

‘No, but I’m sure you care as much as I do about keeping this place alive,’ she said, smiling. She looked at him squarely, and his gaze finally met hers. ‘This is my priority now too, Grant. The Palms is part of my future and I want the best for it. So rest assured that I’ll do my utmost to help in whatever way I can.’

His face was still as he considered her, then the tension in his shoulders visibly eased. ‘Thank you, Erin, but I never really doubted your dedication.’ He closed the file before him, then paused. ‘And I’m very sorry that I had to …’

‘Threaten my job?’ she completed his sentence, eyebrow raising in amusement at his discomfort.

‘I would prefer to call it … motivation, but yes, I suppose I did. I was under a lot of pressure to secure this recommendation, you know,’ he confessed. ‘I’m not young like you, Erin. Finding another position like this won’t be as easy for me if they suddenly decide that I’m surplus to requirements. The job is my life.’

His words echoed in her mind and shocked a little too. Because they were her own too. She’d uttered them to Mack that time while attempting to explain her first and disastrously bumbling attempt to convert him.

Now Erin’s stomach rolled a little at the words and how they sounded.

This job is my life.

Was that really the life she wanted?

Chapter 50

Lily had planned to drop Shay off before heading back to work and checking in with Erin about last-minute preparations for tomorrow night’s sunset party.

But when they turned into The Palms’ main entrance, Shay announced he had a gift for her and wondered if she had time to come to the room with him to get it. While she was flattered by the thought of him choosing something for her to show his appreciation for keeping him company this last while, at the same time she felt a little wary. Being alone with Shay in his hotel room would definitely be considered a step too far in Dee’s books, even if it was for something innocent.

What are you doing? Don’t you know what happens when men invite women up to their hotel room? Not a game of dominoes, I can tell you that.

She imagined her friend’s voice in her head as she locked the doors to her car and followed him inside the hotel.

He’s vulnerable and you have a fatal weakness for broken hearts. Be careful.

Lily quickly shut the voice out of her head.

Nothing was going to happen.

They were laughing when they got off the elevator at Shay’s floor after he cracked a joke about having had to move room so many times during the stay he wasn’t actually sure where it was. He casually caught Lily’s hand as they turned the corridor to walk down to his current room, still holding it, even as he unlocked the door. Ever the gentleman, Shay stepped back slightly, allowing her to enter first.

‘Finally,’ a female voice suddenly echoed from within and, a second later, a tall redhead with mile-long legs and a shapely figure in shorts and a T-shirt stepped out of the en-suite bathroom. ‘I was honestly wondering if you …’

All three froze in place. Lily knew this face well from the few times she’d seen it in photos online.

Sarah.

The silence was stifling as none of them seemed to be able to find words to speak.

Lily hadn’t let go of Shay’s hand when she walked in, but as she watched his ex-fiancée’s gaze alight on their clasped fingers, she quickly pulled away.

‘What the hell is this?’ Sarah demanded, her voice high-pitched. When no one answered, she repeated herself. ‘Shay, what’s going on?’

‘What are you doing here, Sarah?’ he spluttered, as he moved ahead of Lily as if to block her from Sarah’s gaze.