Page 8 of Bound to You

“I’m glad I caught you. I need confirmation on your status for tonight. Did you find a plus one?”

“Oooh, is there a party?” May asks.

“It’s not a party.” Stefan’s French accent thickens with disgust as he regards her, as if her assumption was a personal attack. “It is aconventionfor the business owners of Ruby Cove.”

“So afancyparty?” May replies, wiggling her shoulders around.

“A party tonight? Didn’t you just get back to town?” I cut in.

Stefan’s attention falls to me. “Mr. Marchetti runs a tight schedule. That is why Hotel Dolce is the top-rated accommodation in the area.” May raises her eyebrows at Caio in approval.

“It’s something I host every year so everyone can just get together and have some fun, and,” he pins Stefan with a glare, “I don’t need a plus one.”

“The local press are going to be there this year, Caio.”

“I know,” Caio replies, and for the first time since we met him, he seems annoyed.

“Everyone wants to see you with someone for once,” Stefan says, sketching a brow at him.

Foronce? As if this guy doesn’t have a pack of women following him, waiting for a scrap of attention.

“Perfect!” May exclaims. “Isla will go with you.”

“What?” I snap. Is the girl possessed? In what world would I do this?

“Isla?” Caio says, like he’s testing out my name, seeing how the two syllables taste on his tongue.

“You need a date.” She points to Caio. “And you need a way to pay him back for us staying here tonight.” She points to me.

“For as long as you like,” he corrects her.

“Perfect.” Stefan starts writing on his little clipboard he’s been holding to his chest this entire time. “I'll see you both at eight.Ciao!” He turns and walks away quicker than I could think up an excuse to get out of this. I look at my best friend with pleading eyes.

“Come on, Isla, it’ll be fun. You can get all dressed up on our first night and go have some real fun.”

“If you’re so excited about this, why didn’t you volunteer yourself?” I grumble out the side of my mouth, giving her my best death stare. I don’t do fancy. I barely even go out back at home, so this is way outside my comfort zone.

“You should join us, May,” Caio says. “I'm sure Isla would prefer not to be in a room full of strangers on her first night, and that way you can both meet some new people,” he offers, as if sensing my discomfort at the idea.

“Well, I’m not one to say no to a party.” She smiles up at him.

They both look at me, waiting for an answer, but I hesitate. This isnotwhat we planned. I don’t want to make another mistake, but the way May is looking at me with her puppy dog eyes wins me over. “Okay,” I sigh. “One problem though, we don’t have anything to wear.”

Caio waves a hand in front of himself, dismissing the issue. “Don’t worry about that. I'll take care of it.”

chapter three

CAIO

Well,this day took an unexpected turn.

I chuck my keys on the side table as I walk into my penthouse and take a seat on the couch, scrubbing a hand over my face. Despite everything—the long drive back home, the hotel’s newest guests, and Stefan’s pestering—I let out a contented sigh as I settle into the familiar cushions. I love this couch, and I love this coffee table. It’s the perfect distance away that I can kick up my feet and slouch back into the indent I’ve created in the cushions. From here, I can look right out the window to the best view in Ruby Cove. This is my favorite spot to be after a long day, let alone after three weeks on the road for a business trip.

I love my work, and this hotel is my baby. It’s my pride and joy, the thing I am most proud of, but three weeks of networking and I’m nearly ready to hibernate for the next month. It’s good to be home, even if it was a bit delayed.

I was so ready to be back on this couch with a coffee in hand when that rusty, old car came into view. The exhausted part of me wanted to drive right on by and pretend I never saw them, but something gnawed at me to stop.

We don’t get many new people in Ruby Cove, so my interest piqued when I noticed the girls had the back of the car stacked with luggage.

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