Page 67 of Hot Saltwater Kisses

All puffed-up like a B-movie sheriff about to run a guy out of town for stealing a horse, he looked one misplaced twitch away from a full-on monologue. Based on his narrow-eyed glare,Iwas the guy. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?” he barked.

Well, I had my moments. Probably not how I should respond, though—especially after just borrowing theBlueberry Seasfor a private spin.

“All right, you lost me.” I kept my tone light. “What’s going on?”

His features twisted in distaste. “You knowdamnwell what this is about.”

Logan. Had to be, right? Except Richard’s reaction seemed a bit over the top—not like I was the only employee to ever hook up with a guest. Was it the gay thing that had him foaming at the mouth? I’d never gotten the sense that he was homophobic, though. Sure, I didn’t run around in rainbow booty shorts, but my sexuality was clear as day to anyone who’d been paying attention.

Keep your cool.

“I’m not sure I do,” I said carefully. “So why don’t you spell it out for me?”

He gave a hollow laugh and shoved a hand through his perfectly coiffed side part. “You really thought I wouldn’t notice?”

It seemed like a rhetorical question so I stayed quiet, leaning against the picnic table outside the dive center. Bananaquits flitted through the trees, the breeze carrying snatches of music from the seaside.

“I notice things, Milo.” Richard’s voice was edged in contempt. “Like you sneaking around behind the bar the other night. Having a little fun, huh?”

Fuck—the tinkle of a phone we’d heard. Of all the people who could have walked by, it just had to be Richard because of fucking course.

“Okay, yeah.” I dropped my voice to a soothing level. “If it makes a difference, Iwason break.”

“Oh, now you remember how to show deference?” He scoffed. “Bet you’re one of the people who complained about me. Butyoutry being Mr. Nice Guy while catering to a bunch of rich, entitled assholes who’ll drop a one-star review because a seagull flew too close to their lunch or their towels are missing that signature resort scent.”

“Wow, tell me how you really feel.” The words were out before I could catch them, and I hurried to change tracks. “No, but seriously—I get it, all right? I get that it’s not easy. I wouldn’t want the job.”

He let out a derisive snort. “You wouldn’t last a day.”

Well, thanks. So much for trying to extend an olive branch.

“Maybe not.” I took a breath and reminded myself that he could fire me. “But happy employees don’t have to fake a smile. Guests notice that, don’t you think?”

Richard’s mouth pulled into a thin line. “That so? And how good is LoganFox”—the last name sounded like an insult—“at spotting a fake? Smell out someone who’s in it for the wrong reasons?”

I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re fucking fired.” Grim satisfaction swung in Richard’s voice, and—what? No. He couldn’t… Well, hecould. But despite my early reservations about starting something with Logan, I’d never believed it could actually cost me the job. It had been a fig leaf to hide behind.

I inhaled around a numbing sense of shock. “You’re not serious.”

“Oh, I am.” He stared at me with a sardonic raise of his eyebrows. “It’s only fair.”

“But…” I swallowed, ground a little unsteady under my feet. “Look, I’m aware of the policy, okay? But I’m hardly the first person here to start something with a guest. It’s never been an issue before, so why now? Why me?”

Something about him shifted—a predator scenting the air. “You don’t know.” He said it slowly, like he was still working out the implications himself. “You turned them against me, and you don’t even know.”

Ice flooded my veins.

Logan. This was about Logan. Something about Logan knocked Richard off-kilter, like Logan was special somehow. Like he was…

Like he was important.

“What do you mean?” I asked, something faintly nauseating fluttering in my stomach.

“I guess he didn’t tell you that they’re putting him in charge.” Richard’s laugh carried cruel condescension. “Being born into the right family sure comes with a nice set of benefits. Oh, and his last name? It isn’t Fox, that’s for sure.”

No.No.

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