Page 16 of Time To Live Again

Like a party with that beautiful redhead.

The corner of his mouth lifts. “I know I offered to help you before, and I still want to, but you’ve waited long enough to get your room. I’m the worst hotel manager for not coming sooner. Let me take you to get your luggage and give you your key.”

“Don’t be crazy. If anything, you’re preventing me from being alone in my room, which is a good thing.” Two tarts and a macaron in, and I’m bold like an eagle. No, that’s bald like an eagle. Or is it bold like a lion?Whatever.Was there whiskey in my coffee?

“Well, I’m done with work for the day,” he says with a sly grin. “And I didn’t have my afternoon coffee. Want to keep me company while I inhale some much needed caffeine and sugar?” He checks his watch. “They close in about thirty minutes. That should be enough time.”

A barista approaches and Leo requests his usual and some water for me. My kidneys will thank me after my coffee intake.

He pulls out the chair across from me and drops onto it. “This is going to be good. I’ve hardly eaten anything today. Too many issues to untangle.”

“More website problems?” I ask, fiddling with my pen.

“Unfortunately, yes. But I don’t want to bother you with boring computer shit.”

I wave it off. “Believe me, I know how boring it is. I probably shouldn’t say that since I’m a web designer.” This was a backup plan that should’ve been temporary. Years later, and nothing has changed—I’m working from home for my uncle with little human interaction. “I could help you if you don’t find someone to fix it.”

“Our IT employee is on a safari in Africa with little to no Wi-Fi connection. Whatever’s going on hasn’t happened before. She doesn’t come back until the end of next week. We were stupid not to have a backup plan.”

“Well, the offer’s there.”

“Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

My water, along with his cappuccino and tart, arrive. His eyes light up when they’re placed in front of him. He’s like a child on Christmas morning. I glance at his cappuccino.

“Aww, look at you, getting hearts in your foam. I got a pretty leaf.”

“It’s almost too nice to drink. I don’t want to ruin it. But I’m dying over here. Please tell me I can drink it,” he pleads, licking his lips.

“Maybe you should wait a few more minutes,” I tease.

“Wait? You’re nuts,” he exclaims. I just want to see him lick his lips again. “Haven’t I done that enough?” He pretends to hug his food.

“Oh, like you’d really listen to me.”

He looks around to see if anybody is nearby, then leans in. “Maybe I like being told what to do.”

I can’t take him seriously. “Okay, funny guy. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He points at me. “I made you smile, though.”

I put my elbows on the table and rest my chin on my bridged hands. “More than anyone has in a long time.”

Leo’s heated gaze traces my face and lands on my lips. “Good, and I’ll keep doing it as long as you let me,” he says, his voice soft and sincere. I love the way words roll off his tongue.

“Keep it coming. Now drink your coffee before it gets cold.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He sprinkles some sugar on the top, takes a sip, then sighs. His eyes close like he’s in heaven. If we all could enjoy something so simple.

Instead of making a list of things to do around here, he tells me more about the hotel and how his family runs it. His mom is the overall owner, his sister’s the event manager, and his brother’s a temporary member of the maintenance staff. He doesn’t talk about his own job. The longer we chat about random things, the more relaxed I become. He’s easy to talk to, funny, and animated when telling his stories.

Half an hour comes and goes too fast. Everything about this afternoon has been like a defibrillator to the heart. I’ve rediscovered a world I once knew but chose to forget. Now we’re headed back to the front desk to pick up my things. He stops suddenly and turns to me.

“Oh, I forgot to mention—the town sets off fireworks at midnight. There’s a perfect view from the hotel. Our guests can watch from their rooms or head down to the little beach area to enjoy the show by the water. You can check out the hotel map in your room for more details.”

“Ooh, that sounds nice. I’ll definitely do that.”Probably not.

We approach the front desk, and Leo retrieves my things.

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