Page 81 of Claimed By my Frenemy

He’s staring at the screen, and I get a feeling of dread in my stomach. I slowly push myself out of the chair and round the corner so that I can see the screen, too.

I squint at the screen, and my heart skips a beat. It’s a booking request—a real, actual booking request for the bed and breakfast.

"Theo, do you see that?”

“That’s what I can’t believe,” he says, pointing at the screen with his finger. “I mean, I don’t run this side of things, but it looks like–”

“A booking request. Let me handle it.”

I push Theo gently out of his seat, and he slides into the next one while I open up the inquiry about four weekends from now.

He leans over to see the screen as I type out a response to a potential guest, a proud smile spreading across his face. "That’s amazing, Mia! Who is it? When are they coming?"

I give him the main details from their message. "It’s a couple from out of town. They’re looking to stay for two nights, a Thursday and Friday. They mentioned they found us because my place is listed on a website for new places to stay in the coastal area. How did my information even get on a website like that? I’ve only had the old photos up, and…"

Theo’s smile widens. "Don’t question it. Someone found you and talked about you. That’s how you’ll get most of your guests. People are already hearing about how great this place is. This is just the beginning."

I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement. This booking is a tangible sign that my dream is becoming a reality. "I need to respond and confirm the booking. I’ve got my first guests! And I’ll have time to prepare for them once I’ve done the soft opening."

Theo stands up and pulls me into a tight hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around. "Congratulations, Mia! I’m so proud of you."

I squeeze Theo’s neck tightly. “Okay, Theo,nowwe can celebrate how you’ve been wanting to celebrate since you showed up this morning.”

Theo kisses me soundly, and I let myself relax, my worries about the bed and breakfast’s success or failure sliding away as Theo’s hands begin caressing my body.

40

THEO

I walkthrough the nearly finished lobby of the resort, taking in the final details. The grand opening is just around the corner, and everything is falling into place. The reception desk gleams under the soft lighting, the new carpets are plush underfoot, and the walls are adorned with art from local artists. My guests can even purchase the paintings, and all proceeds will go to that artist. It’s hard to believe that after all the setbacks and negotiations, the resort is finally ready to open its doors.

I wonder what Steve would think if he could see how things were going now. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with him anymore.

My manager, Lisa, approaches with a tablet in hand, her face beaming with excitement. "Theo, you have to see this," she says, thrusting the tablet toward me. "The bookings for the first few weekends in August are looking fantastic. You’re not sold out yet, but you’ve been picked up by six travel blogs, and their affiliate links have been crazy busy."

I take the tablet and scroll through the data, a sense of relief washing over me. The numbers are solid—better than I had hoped. "This is great, Lisa. Looks like all our hard work is paying off." I might not have as many guest rooms as I’dhoped, especially not until Building B opens, but I’ll be earning a respectable income from the entertainment areas once they become fully functional.

She nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely. The entertainment areas are a huge draw. Opening them up to the public was a brilliant move. People are raving about how you’re not just here for money but here for the community, too."

I glance out the window towards the beach, the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. "I just hope it makes Mia’s guests happy, too. I want them to feel like they have the best of both worlds—the charm of her bed and breakfast and the excitement of the resort."

Lisa gives me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure it will. The combination is perfect. You’ve both created something really special here. I’ll keep you updated, but right now, you’re set to open the same weekend. And we’re at sixty percent capacity."

As Lisa heads off to check on the final preparations, I take a moment to savor the quiet before the storm of opening day. Everything has been leading up to this, and I can’t help but feel a mix of pride. Owning a rental house is one thing, but this resort is something else entirely. There’s a tiny part of me that feels like there might have been a mistake. I’m not capable of running something like this, not on my own.

I head outside, the warm breeze carrying the scent of salt and sea. The sun is starting to dip towards the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach. I spot Mia walking toward me, her dark, shoulder-length hair tousled by the wind and a smile playing on her lips. Seeing her always lifts my spirits, and today is no exception.

"Hey," I greet her, pulling her into a hug. "How’s everything going at the bed and breakfast? Did you get all the groceries you were saying you needed?"

"Hey yourself," she replies, wrapping her arms around me. "It’s going well. I’m ready for the opening, just a few last-minute details to handle. I’m nervous and excited, then I start to feel nervous again. It’s like I don’t know what to feel."

I press a kiss to the side of Mia’s head. “That sounds normal. You’re about to start living your dream.”

Mia bites her bottom lip. “What if my dream isn’t as great as I dreamed it would be?”

“You could always sell the house to me.”

When Mia’s face starts to turn dark and stormy, I kiss her again. “I’m kidding. Calm down. I’m kidding. In reality, you’ll probably have a few nightmarish guests. That’s normal. But I think on the whole, it will be a positive experience for everyone. You’ll have some guests who will come back every year. You’ll look forward to seeing them.”

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