Page 10 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“So.” I push my hands into my pockets. “What did you tell her? About her promotion, I mean.”

“I told her I wouldn’t have made her an associate as a favor to you, and I won’t hold her back because of you either.” He crinkles his face into an exaggerated wince. “Of course, she could turn out to be a total dud, in which case, I’ll have to can her.” He sneaks in a laugh, and I can’t help chuckling.

“For her sake, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I say. “Either way, I’m sorry things didn’t work out for me at Blaine & Co.” He meets my gaze, and I swallow against the sudden lump forming in my throat. “I really hate feeling like I let you down.”

He glances at the truck again. “Are you absolutely sure about this? It’s not too late to change your mind. I’ve got a lead on a new apartment if you want to stay.”

Something shifts behind my ribs. A flash of uncertainty. Sticking around would be a whole lot safer, that’s for sure. Guaranteed spot at my dad’s company. Less risk of total failure. Still, I’d always feel like I was riding his coattails. Not to mention I kind of hate the job. And that’s not doing anyone any good.

“I appreciate the offer. But …” My voice trails off, and I shake my head.

“Well, that’s probably for the best.” He smooths his lapel. “I could tell you weren’t happy, and contrary to popular opinion around the office, I don’t enjoy seeing people miserable.” He fights a smirk. “Especially you.”

“I wasn’t miserable, Dad.” I pull my hands from my pockets. “I just wasn’t …”

“Living your best life?” He offers me another U-smile. “Isn’t that what the kids are saying these days?”

I bite back a laugh. “Maybe some kids.”

“Well.” He rests a hand on my shoulder, gives it a quick squeeze. “If you’re determined to go, just be careful, son.”

“Careful with what?”

“You have somewhat of a pattern,” he says, letting his hand fall again. “One fly in the ointment, and you go searching for greener pastures. But I’ve been around long enough to know different pastures aren’t ever greener than the one you’re in. The grass is just chewed up in different spots.”

“Well, that’s not what’s happening here.” I bob my head. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make The Beachfront a success.”

“I admire your optimism.” He nods. “Once you leave, though, there won’t be a safety net. If things don’t work out, I can’t make room for you back at Blaine & Co. Not because I wouldn’t want to help …” He lets the sentence die off.

“No, I get it,” I say, my chest constricting. “It wouldn’t be fair, and I don’t want special treatment.”

He raises his brow. “I can respect that.”

Great. Now I just need to make sure not to lose that respect. Which means making my next commitment stick. No more pasture-hopping, so to speak.

“So, I’d better get going.” I stick my hand out for a shake, but he moves in for another awkward man-hug, back-pat combo.

“Don’t be a stranger.” His voice comes out gruff.

“I won’t.” My throat clogs as he steps away. “And who knows? I might even make you proud.”

He meets my gaze. “Just make yourself proud, son.”

Chapter Four

Olivia

“Olivia Mae.” My mother blinks at me from under a shelf of red bangs. “Can we set the kitchen timer for when you might stop feeling sorry for yourself? Or is this your whole personality now?”

“Sorry, Mom.” I yank open the refrigerator and rummage around. “But it’s hard to be happy on an empty stomach.”

Not to mention when you’re unemployed and sleeping on a futon in your grandmother’s sewing room. And yes, I brought this on myself. But I left Francine’s office completely confident I’d find another job at some other resort seeking a manager. Any kind of manager. Any kind of resort.

Hotel. Motel. Bed-and-breakfast.

ANYTHING.

After I exhausted my contacts in Aspen, I gave Breckenridge a shot. As it turns out, there were no open positions in the entire state of Colorado. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration. But there was nothing that didn’t feel like a big step backward. So I packed my personal items into the smallest storage unit ever, and fled to Abieville.

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