Page 78 of Grand Escape

“Sam helped. He thought it was a good buy, and if you turned me down, I could rent it out. Maybe I’ll rent it anyway.”

After drying myself off, I wrapped my hair in the towel like a turban and stood there naked, one hand on my hip. “I have no words. I can’t even put it all together—Sam, West Bay, you here, a house.”

“You don’t have to, but maybe you want to see the place today?”

“I ... I ...”

The bell rang to the villa.

“Saved by the coffee,” Adam joked.

As he walked to the door, towel around his waist, I searched for a robe in the closet. I realized my heart was in my feet and then it shot back up into my chest, pounding a tribal dance.

Adam bought a house on Grand Cayman. Was he moving here year round? Could he do that?

“Here you go. One steaming-hot cup of joe with milk for my beauty.” He rounded the corner into the bathroom. “Oh, I liked you naked way better.”

“Ha.” It was my turn to laugh. “After I drink this coffee, you’re going to show me this house and tell me what else you have up your sleeve.”

I plopped onto the bed, put my feet up on the blankets, and sipped my coffee.

“Nothing else to tell. Just I’ll be here a lot.” Adam said it matter-of-factly, like he’d thought out the whole thing.

“I’ll drive, you’ll show me, and you’ll talk. Now, no talkie before coffee,” I said, repeating one of his earliest lines to me, and got a huge laugh in reward.

Adam

“Ah, the lovebirds have emerged,” Chewy bellowed through the lobby.

“Shouldn’t we be saying that to you?” I called out with my arm firmly wrapped around Rylan, her head tucked into my shoulder. I wasn’t in the mood to share my girl with anyone, but it had been thanks to Chewy that I had her back.

“Thank you for everything. The wedding and everything else was perfect.” Sarah squealed, stealing Rylan from me, holding her by the shoulders as she beamed happiness at her.

“It was a magical night,” Rylan said. “I hope it was everything you dreamed of. I think everything went exactly as you planned.”

“It was perfect. One hundred percent. And that hashtag you came up with—Chew On This—I loved it. You know, I just came from the hotel manager’s office telling him just that? I’ve been in love with Chewy all my life, and while our story isn’t a pretty one, it’s getting a happy ending. Thanks to you.” She drew Rylan into her arms, hugging her tight.

“Damn straight,” Chewy said, slapping Rylan on the back from behind.

Shaking her head, unsuccessfully trying to wiggle out of Sarah’s grasp, Rylan choked out, “No. No. Nothing because of me. It’s all you two. You’re the magic.”

“Won’t hear of it,” Chewy said while Sarah maintained her death grip on my woman.

“Seriously, you’re our lucky charm. Don’t argue with me,” Sarah said, releasing Rylan from her bear hug but still happily gripping her hands.

I stood there watching, wondering how I could steal her back.

A man wearing a suit approached our group and interrupted. “Ah, Ms. Phillips. Just the person I’ve been looking for.”

“Mr. Banks, how are you?” I’d never seen Rylan straighten up so quickly. “I have the day off ...”

“Don’t be silly, I know. I was coming to say how happy the newly married couple is with your planning help, but they found you first. I was also going to tell you to take the next week off ... with full pay, of course. You’ve worked very hard and deserve some time.”

Clearing her throat and nervously pushing her hair behind her ear, Rylan said, “Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”

“Rylan, it most definitely is. Theodora came to me and told me how hard you’ve been working. Then Tony came to me and explained how you are the heartbeat of this resort, and I need to convince you to move up the ranks. Now, I’m not going to take no from you. You must consider my offer.”

“What offer?”

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