Page 20 of While We Waited

“Thanks, Double C—” He doesn’t manage to finish before he bends over and vomits all over my shoes.

Boxer shorts bursts into laughter. “You puked all over Double Crown.”

“At least I didn’t pee my pants.” White t-shirt points to boxer shorts who is now sporting a wet spot on his shorts.

Why did I want to own a resort, again? I blame my business manager. He’s the one who suggested it. He pointedout how Smuggler’s Hideaway is a popular tourist destination but didn’t have enough hotel rooms to accommodate tourists.

Wesley hustles to my side with two security guards. “We’ve got this.”

I allow them to take over. I try to keep the security of the resort hidden from the guests. But this is one situation when I don’t mind them handling things.

At least the incident kept Nova away from the forefront of my mind for a while. But she’s never far from my thoughts.

Which is a problem I need to handle.

But first I need to throw away these shoes.

Chapter 8

Bikini – an excuse for Hudson to lose his mind

Nova

“This is going to be fun,” Chloe says as Sophia parks at the lagoon.

“I don’t know about this. We have to wear mermaid tails?” Maya shivers. “I don’t want anyone to see me in one.”

We’re at the first annualMermaid Lagoon Race. I don’t know who keeps coming up with fun stuff for tourists to do, but they’re a genius. Last month there was aBootlegger Escape Room. It was a ball. Or, rather, what I remember of it was. It involved way too many shots of moonshine.

I’m certain theMermaid Lagoon Racewill be as much fun if not more. Especially since there’s no drinking involved. Moonshine hangovers are the worst.

I wrap an arm around Maya’s shoulders. “You’ll look sexy.”

Chloe waggles her eyebrows. “We’ll all look sexy.”

Paisley studies Chloe. “You’re different since you’ve fallen in love with your husband.”

I knew Lucas couldn’t resist Chloe. Not only is she beautiful but she’s fiercely loyal. When she went all mama bear to protect Lucas’s daughter, Natalia, Lucas fell hard and fast.

Maya sighs. “She has her happy ending.”

“Yep.” Chloe grins. “And I’m not even going to make fun of Maya for being a hopeless romantic.”

“She’s really in love,” Maya whispers.

“And married.” Sophia points to Chloe’s wedding ring.

Chloe throws her arm around Sophia. “Don’t you worry. Flynn will propose.”

We exit the car and make our way to the check in for theMermaid Lagoon Race.

“Hey, Sloane,” I greet. Sloane is a bartender at theBootleggerbar. She also does a lot of odd jobs around Smuggler’s Hideaway.

“Oh boy. The troublemakers are here,” she mutters.

I beam at her. “We’re not always troublemakers.”

“Are you forgetting about the time you broke into the manager’s office at the bar? I found you there in the morning fast asleep.”

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