Hurricanes in Paradise (10 page)

A doubt that she pressed against as her feet sank deeper into the sand. She had always used the first run of the morning to clear her head, purge the chaos, and refocus her thoughts. But focused thoughts had been rare commodities the past year. That’s why her latest book was six months behind, why four assistants had found their way through her revolving door, and why last night she had let three strangers join her for dinner. She hated dinner with strangers. Honestly, she didn’t like strangers at all. Crowds either, for that matter. She had preferred dinners with Mitchell. Alone. But there was something she hated worse than strangers or crowds. She hated eating alone. That’s why she made Riley come in the first place.

The sun thrust out the remnants of yesterday and forced her into today. That was when the words of the song “Home” that was playing on her iPhone began to register with her heart.
Home?
She didn’t even know where that was anymore. Home had been with Mitchell. With no children, he had been everything to her. And she had felt displaced since the day she walked out of their home and moved into the St. Regis hotel. A year later she was thinking she might need to find a real place to live. But if she were being honest, the borrowed furniture, borrowed sheets, borrowed hand towels made her feel like she was just visiting, like maybe her old life might find her again, in spite of what she had said to him yesterday. Her heart knew he was the only home she had ever known and the only one she really wanted.

She jerked her iPhone from the holder attached to her waist, flipped open the leather case, and stopped Chris Daughtry midchorus. She stuck the phone back in its holder and dug her feet harder into the sand. She wiped at the sweat clinging to her brow and headed straight for the rising sun. That was when she whispered her gratefulness that it rose on the just and unjust alike. Otherwise, she’d be living in the dark.

* * *

Riley guzzled the glass of water sitting on her bedside table. She wiped at the sweat that was running down the sides of her face. If anyone had told her she would one day have a treadmill in her bedroom, she would have told them they obviously didn’t know her well. She had always had a knack for decorating. She had even thought about becoming an interior designer and leaving the hotel business altogether right before Max called. But she had jumped at the opportunity to get away from the memories of her past and the whispers that had overtaken her city and her life. So treadmills in the bedroom weren’t really part of the design aesthetic she had in mind for her new place. But when you had a little girl and no husband, trips to the gym weren’t much of an option.

The divorce had changed so much about her life, and it was often the little things she noticed most. Days now had to be planned out in advance since Jeremy wasn’t there to call when she forgot an important paper, left the iron on, or couldn’t remember if she had turned off the coffeepot. There was no one there to help her with Gabby at night or to drive her to the doctor when she was sick. No, now she drove herself and Gabby everywhere; she made her own chicken soup when she was sick; and when a lightbulb burned out, she climbed up the ladder to change it herself. Life was different. It wasn’t the one she had wanted, but it was the one her choices had made.

She grabbed a Dr Pepper from the refrigerator, grateful she had worked out so she could drink it, then took a quick shower and slipped into a burnt orange A-line sleeveless dress. She and Gabby had a Sunday routine, and today it was shot to pieces. They loved to go down to a little restaurant near the church she had found, share a bagel, and talk about their week. With her working most Saturdays, it had become “their” day. The quaint, nondenominational church Riley had found had been a tremendous source of community for both her and Gabby. Gabby had a lot more friends than she did, but she had met a few ladies and found some really good babysitters.

She turned the gold antique diamond ring on her right ring finger. Her grandmother had given it to her before she passed away and it was now the only ring she wore. It had taken a year before she was able to get rid of the ghost feeling where her wedding ring used to sit. She didn’t know how an empty finger could feel so heavy. The day she had placed the ring back in its box and closed the lid, she felt like she had shut the lid of a coffin. A soft rap on the door caused her to jump slightly.

She opened the door to Jeremy’s familiar smile. “Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey,” Jeremy responded. “She still asleep?”

“Yeah. I thought since we weren’t going anywhere, I’d let her rest a little longer. Come in. Come in,” she said, stepping back so he would have room to enter.

He walked in and hugged her. His Burberry cologne still hung on her clothes when he released her. His tousled brown hair was in charming disarray. His black flip-flops peeked out from the edges of his frayed jeans, and his baby blue button-down was tucked in only at the front of his jeans, revealing a blue- and black-striped belt. “I’m glad you let her sleep.”

“You want something to drink? Did you get breakfast?” She pulled a granola bar from the cabinet.

“All good. I grabbed something at the airport,” he said, sitting on the edge of the sofa.

Riley walked over and sat in the chair across from him. “How’s Amanda?”

“Amanda’s good. She’s looking forward to seeing Gabby.”

Riley couldn’t help the prick in her gut. She knew Amanda was precious, loved Gabby, had picked up a lot of broken pieces that she had left in Jeremy’s life, but it still pricked her. Jeremy had given her the opportunity to come home. Had forgiven her. But she didn’t. She couldn’t. So this was good. He needed to move on and it was time she did too. “I know. Gabby is looking forward to seeing her.”

“Your mom and dad are expecting her too.”

“I know. Mom called twice yesterday and talked to Gabby, telling her all the big plans she has for them when she gets there. Good luck even getting to see her.” They both laughed.

His face sobered. “You doing okay here, Riley?”

She smiled. His care for her had always run as deep as the blue bloods ran in Charleston. “Yeah, doing real good. You know how good Max has been to me. Gabby is flourishing, and I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate you letting me bring her here. I know this is a sacrifice to all of us. So thank you.”

“The best thing for Gabby is a mom and dad who are whole.”

She nodded and stood. “She’ll want to know you’re here. She needs to get up anyway. Plus, I’m already later than I had planned, and being late isn’t a good idea for me.” She ran her hands across the top of her head and down to the tip of her ponytail as she reached for her bag on the kitchen table. She turned toward him. “I’m glad you’re getting a do-over, Jeremy. You deserve it.”

He stood and walked toward her. “Everyone should get a second chance, Riley. You are a wonderful mother, and you prove that every day. I’m grateful Gabby has you.”

“Ahh . . . stop it.” She laughed, swiping at falling tears. “I’m going to have to get ready all over again if you say anything else nice.”

He laughed too and wrapped her in his arms. She let him hold her there. Those arms were as familiar to her as the dimples in Gabby’s cheeks. Her body had molded a place in them for so many years, but now they felt different. Someone else had carved her own shape there. Riley patted Jeremy’s back and removed herself from his hold. “Go see our angel girl.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Really. Busy day. I’ll meet up with y’all for her recital tonight. Not sure if I can grab dinner, but I will make the recital.”

He patted her arm and headed toward Gabby’s door.

Riley closed the door behind her, took a deep breath, and reminded both her heart and mind to come to terms with the fact that Jeremy would not be part of her future. She knew it was inevitable, and she had never pursued him. But she had not been prepared for the emotions that would come with the arrival of his new future.

She pulled herself together on the car ride and freshened her makeup. As soon as she stepped from the car, Christian was on her heels.

“Hey,” she said as she walked toward the resort. She knew what awaited her this morning and hadn’t planned on starting it with this. She walked quickly, wishing she had seen him when she pulled in because she would have spent more time freshening her makeup in the car, hidden.

He stepped in line beside her. “Everything okay?”

She patted her face, thinking she had covered her surprise pretty well. Apparently not well enough. “Yeah, everything’s good.” She kept walking, shifting her purse and the envelope with the contract from Max to her other hand.

“Well, I just thought when you weren’t home last night that something must have happened.”

She stopped in the middle of the parking lot. “You came by?”

“Yeah, I came by at six thirty like we had planned.”

“Didn’t you get my message?”

He shook his head and stuck his hands inside the pockets of his blue and white seersucker pants. “No, I didn’t get any message.”

“I left a message on your cell that Laine Fulton needed me to go with her to dinner.”

Christian shook his head slowly. “Sorry, I don’t know what happened.”

“I called you as soon as she asked me.”

He shook his head again and shrugged his shoulders. “Crazy. Nothing came through.”

“So you went to my house?”

“I did. The babysitter was there and I told her to tell you I had come by.”

Riley raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t mention it.” Her look softened. “I’m so sorry. Honestly. I did call you.” She started walking slowly toward the resort again.

He followed beside her. “No problem. I figured something had happened. I knew that Southern girls weren’t the stand-you-up kind.”

She reached over and touched his arm, the white button-down crisp beneath her fingers. “Honestly, I would never have done that.”

He laughed and patted her hand; heat rushed through her. “I believe you, Riley. Really.”

Mia was standing in The Nave when they arrived. “Good morning, you two.”

Riley withdrew her hand quickly. “Good morning, Mia.”

Christian tossed up a hand. “Hi, Mia.” He turned his attention back to Riley. “Anyway, it’s no big deal. You called and I didn’t get it. So, lunch today?”

Riley flicked her eyes toward Mia. She had her nose in her portfolio. Riley turned back to Christian. “I’m sorry, Christian. This week just isn’t going to work. Ms. Fulton is expecting me at her beck and call all week. I think it’s best that I make sure she has what she needs.”

“So you’re not just avoiding me.”

Riley had no intention of being that honest. “No, just a new job that I can’t afford to screw up.”

He gave her a smile. “I respect that. Go get ’em, then. And I’ll catch you this week somewhere.”

She returned his smile and watched as he walked down the corridor. She hoped watching men walk away wasn’t a premonition of the rest of her life. And this man—this one she didn’t know what to do with. Not since Jeremy had anyone invoked the feelings that Christian sent blazing through her simply by being near. And now that Jeremy was moving on with his life, she had the opportunity to move on with hers. But that didn’t have to mean with a man. She blinked her eyes twice, let out a deep exhale, and turned her attention back to where it needed to be. Not on men or lunch or dinners, but on her guests. That was why she was here. She turned and headed through the atrium to her office. Mia followed her.

“So you and Mr. Manos have a thing for each other?” Mia’s heavy accent gave her words a dancing cadence.

“No. I do not have a
thing
for Mr. Manos. He asked me out to dinner. Dinner does not a
thing
make. And I honestly don’t think this is productive conversation. We’ve got a busy day and I’ve got to get to the Royal Towers to meet Ms. Fulton for breakfast.” She glanced at her watch. “And I barely have enough time to get there.” She put her purse down by the edge of her desk, slipped her phone into the pocket of her dress, and started for the door with the contract in her hand.

“I need you to get these to legal. These are super-important papers. I’ve gone over them thoroughly, so we should be good.”

Mia took the papers from her. “Sure, I’ll be glad to.”

Riley looked down at the envelope in Mia’s hand; both her and Max’s names were on the front. “Thanks. Again, they need to get there first thing this morning,” Riley said, rushing out the door. “You’ll make sure Mrs. Harris gets to the dolphin excursion?” she asked as she walked out.

Mia followed behind her. “I’ll zip up her wet suit myself.”

She laughed. “And make sure Tamyra knows I’ve reserved a place for her out by the Cain pool.”

“I’ll do it.”

Riley stopped and turned toward Mia. “Thank you. I’m really glad you’re here. I’ll need you this week.”

Mia gave her a warm smile. “It’s my pleasure. I love it. All of it.”

Riley didn’t stop her steady jog until she reached the entrance to the Royal Towers lobby. She could see Laine’s face from there. And it didn’t look happy.

* * *

“It’s five after nine,” Laine said from her seated position in the foyer of the Royal Towers. She sat surrounded by eight massive white stone columns that sat on top of large stone fish, looking like a bad version of Jonah and the whale. Vivid corals and aquamarine colors enhanced by live palm trees that dotted the marble foyer brought the tropics indoors. And Laine Fulton didn’t seem to be enjoying any of it. In fact, by the look of those dark circles under her eyes, Riley was pretty certain that last martini might have done her in.