Page 30 of Six Nights in Paradise

“Tonight?” I asked, taken aback.

“Yes, the sooner the better. Take care of what you need to here, then head home to pack. I’ll have your assistant book your flight and hotel.”

Fuck. This was not how I’d planned on starting back to work. But there was nothing I could do about it except excel at my job. I needed to be proficient and get this situation under control so I could get back home as quickly as possible.

When I landed in Seattle several hours later, it was already dark and I was ready for a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. I took my phone off airplane mode when I got into the car my assistant rented for me, and it immediately dinged with several text alerts. Thinking it would be Taylor, I glanced down and noticed not only a text from her, but three from Gianna. Dear Lord, what could she possibly want? Against my better judgement, I opened hers first.

Gianna: Hey Dalton. How are you?

When that text went unanswered, she sent another.

Gianna: I’d really like to catch up with you. Give me a call when you get this.

Was she insane? Catch up? She called off our wedding five days before we were supposed to be married! Why the hell would I want to talk to her?I scrolled down, curiosity my only incentive for wanting to read what came next.

Gianna: Look, I know I’m probably the last person you want to talk to, but it’s really important that you call me back. There’s something I need to discuss with you. Can you meet with me this week?

Hard pass. I didn’t care what she needed to talk to me about. I had no desire to see her after everything she did to us.

I considered leaving her texts unanswered, but I knew how persistent she could be. If I didn’t respond, she would call and text until she got something from me.

Dalton: Can’t. I’m out of town for work.

Gianna: Didn’t you just get back?

Of course she would know that. Someone told her I went on that trip without her. Did they also tell her Taylor went with me? Did anyone else but Aiden know she was going? Maybe Taylor posted about it on social media and Gianna found it. That was probably why she was suddenly interested in talking to me. She found out I’d taken another woman on our honeymoon, someone she knew had been in my life for years, no less.

Me: Emergency in Seattle. Had to go.

I kept my responses brief, not wanting to encourage her. She would keep going if I gave her too much or not enough. I knew how she operated.

Gianna: When will you be back?

Me: No idea.

It was the truth. I didn’t know what awaited me tomorrow morning or how long it would take to sort out the mess.

She sent me a string of emojis, mostly frowny faces and little yellow circles with a tear running down their faces. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. I could just see her pouting, the corners of her lips turned down in disappointment. She could pout better than any child I knew. It was a little ridiculous for a woman her age. At one time I found it endearing, but now I cringed just thinking about it. My phone chimed with another text message.

Gianna: Call me when you get back.

I didn’t respond. I had no intention of contacting her when I got home. The only woman I wanted to talk to was Taylor, and I planned on going straight to her house the moment I got back.

Taylor

I’m flying to Seattle tonight. Work emergency. I don’t know when I’ll be back.

That was what Dalton’s text said yesterday evening. I hadn’t heard from him all day and was getting worried. I certainly didn’t expect him to jump on another plane and fly across the country. I supposed that was a risk you took working in the corporate world.

I responded by wishing him a safe flight. I wanted to add that I hoped he made it home soon, but I didn’t want to sound clingy and desperate. I needed to be careful with Dalton. He was coming off a very serious, long-term relationship and I didn’t want to spook him. If I got too attached and started acting like this was serious, he would run and I’d miss my chance with him. So even though I missed him like crazy and would give anything just to hear his voice, I had to play it cool. I couldn’t let on how desperately I wanted to be with him.

I went to the salon and got a trim so my hair would look fresh and neat for my interview tomorrow. It was a hostess position at one of the high-end restaurants downtown. It wasn’t Exeter where I’d planned to apply, but it was just as nice. If I did well as hostess and impressed the manager, there was a good chance I could move into a waitressing position, which came with the potential to earn substantial tips.

When I got home, I picked out my interview outfit and hung it on the back of my door so it would be ready for me to put on in the morning. Aiden peppered me with practice interview questions to help me prepare. He’d never worked as a server or in the food industry at all, but he claimed a lot of interview questions were pretty standard and if I could handle his, I could handle anyone’s.

I went to bed early, hoping to be well rested in the morning, but just like the past two nights, I found it difficult to fall asleep without Dalton’s strong arms cradling me. Not only that, but I’d gotten used to the sedating effects of my nightly release.

I woke up early, even though my interview wasn’t until ten thirty. The drive would take about twenty minutes assuming there wasn’t much traffic, but I didn’t want to take any chances. Aiden had suggested getting there a little early to show them I could be prompt, so I allowed myself twice the amount of time I needed to drive into town and find a parking spot.

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