Page 7 of Time To Live Again

He rests his bare forearms on the counter and tilts his head, a sparkle in his eye. How can someone be so utterly sexy? He doesn’t even try! “Are you hungry?” he asks.

Huh? That’s out of left field. “Um. Yes. Starving actually. Is there somewhere I can grab something to eat or a coffee?” I recall reading a review mentioning a café here. I really should’ve researched this place a little more.

“You bet. We have a great Parisian café here. You can wait there if you’d like.” His eyes gleam. “Want to check it out?” He radiates happiness and confidence. If his aura were visible, I’m sure it’d shimmer like golden sunrays. It makes him even more appealing. Is it a facade because he has to greet customers at the front desk? Or is he that good of a salesman? Or maybe he feels bad about the reservation error or that I’m here alone? Probably all the above.

Or maybe he’s a truly genuine, cheerful person, and you don’t need to analyze everything. Say yes!

I shrug my shoulders. “Oh. Sure. Okay.”

“Great. Donna should be back in a few minutes. Let’s finish getting you set up, and I’ll take you there myself.”

Yes, please.“Oh, you don’t have to do that. Point me in the right direction and?—”

“It’d be my pleasure. I need my afternoon cappuccino and lemon tart, anyway.”Is he going to eat with me?In your dreams, Olive.“They’re like the ones I’ve eaten in Paris. I highly recommend them. Ever been to Paris?”

“Yes, but it was a long time ago.” It feels like another lifetime. The old me backpacked through France, Germany, and Italy before I started nursing school. “I didn’t try the tarts. However, I ate a lifetime’s worth of chocolate éclairs.”

He snickers. “Well, you’re in for a treat. And if you aren’t a tart fan, there’s a variety of éclairs and other pastries to choose from. And you definitely don’t want to miss the croissants—especially the chocolate ones! There’s something for everyone.”

“Sounds delicious. I might have to try a few.” Didn’t I make a resolution to lose weight? Who cares? I still have today to eat what I want.

“That’s the way to live,” he encourages. “Now, let’s finish this.”

That’s exactly what I came here to do.

To live.

4

LEO

What kind of bullshit was that?I’ll take you there myself…Hundreds of beautiful women have stayed here before.When have I ever been this distracted by one?Grr.I need more sleep.

When we shared a look a moment ago, her large, cautious eyes expressed a history of sadness that made my heart clench. Something I can understand myself. She captivates me, and it throws me off kilter. How can a complete stranger—one I met a few minutes ago—do that to me?

We might have officially met right now, but I noticed her the moment she came into the hotel. She didn’t see me because I was standing behind the Christmas tree fixing a couple of ornaments that were about to fall off a droopy, dry branch. I peeked around the tree when I heard the door open and froze. Her smile was breathtaking. Then I almost gave myself away by laughing when the automatic doors kept opening and closing behind her. I hunkered down behind the tree with my hand over my mouth and waited until she disappeared into the Blue Room instead of going to the front desk.

I got a glimpse of her eyes in the Blue Room, but nothing prepared me for their uniqueness. During my travels all over the world, I have never met another person with the lightest shade of brown like hers. It’s the softest tone of a frothy cappuccino or light brown sugar.

It’s not only her expressive eyes and their long, thick eyelashes that grab my attention. Her flawless ivory skin is free of makeup, and her soft, full cheeks seem to have a natural rosy hue. Her tempting, glossy lips create a hint of sensuality that distracts me even more.

Get your head out of your ass, Leo. You’re working, remember?

“Are you familiar with Orcas Island?” I ask, trying to sound unaffected by her. She probably sees right through me.

She brushes her hands through her thick, shiny brunette hair, causing the ends to crackle and rise from static. “No. It’s my first time. This trip was last minute and I didn’t have the chance to look up what there is to do here. And if there’s nothing to do, I’m fine with that too. I needed to get away.” Her voice softens with a hint of vulnerability as she studies the counter.

Better than her staring at my hideous lip rug. Stupid bet. The countdown has begun until I can shave it off.

I wonder what happened to make her run away. I wanted to mention her birthday, which is none of my business, then I saw her face. Distant and troubled. The conversation she had with her mom in the Blue Room sounded intense. I wasn’t eavesdropping, but Olive’s firm tone and the sound of her mother yelling on the other end of the line caught my attention. It’s different from the way she speaks to me; now she sounds weary and lost. Maybe even off guard.

I’m no stranger to escaping real life. I have my own reasons for never staying in one place for a long time, and they run deep. In fact, my next job assignment starts in two weeks. It’s convenient that I’m filling in as manager today, because here we are, me and this intriguing woman.

“Most of the people who work here are locals. If you have questions, please ask. The hotel will be pretty quiet after today so I’ll—we’llbe begging to help you.” I notice a slight curve of her lips. Is that a grin? I’ll take it.

“Leo, I’m back. Let me finish that up for you,” Donna says cheerfully behind me. Damn, that was a quick break.

I almost snap at her to say that Olive is my guest to take care of. This is fucking crazy. I don’t obsess over people who stay here, but Olive? The draw to her is unexpected and happily accepted. Now that I know she’s here alone, I want to make her stay here as pleasant as possible.

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