Page 111 of Beyond the Hate

The last time I was here was for the end of summer party. I thought I loved Eli before the party but when he refused to be auctioned off because he was afraid my stepsister would win a date with him, I knew it was love.

Too bad Eli didn’t feel the same. While I was falling in love, he was having a good time. Asshole.

“He’s short staffed since a lot of the staff go on vacation after the summer holidays,” Nova says and I jolt. I forgot I was on the telephone with her.

I scowl. This is not like me. I don’t forget things. I’m not scatterbrained. I remember all the facts and figures everyone else forgets.

Stupid love. It’s better to avoid it. I learned my lesson once but apparently once wasn’t enough when it comes to love. I’m now declaring twice is definitely enough. Love is not for me.

“I’m here now,” I say as I enter the resort. “I’ll handle it.”

“I could come help except Iliana has colic.”

I’d love her help. Mostly for moral support. But I can’t allow her to bring Iliana when her baby girl isn’t feeling well. I’m not an asshole, unlike certain male billionaires who shall remain unnamed.

“Stay home with your precious daughter. I’ve got this under control.”

We hang up and I make my way to the ballroom. When Hudson first proposed adding a ballroom to the resort, I scoffed. A ballroom on Smuggler’s Hideaway? There was no need. I was wrong. The room is booked months, if not years, in advance.

I step inside the ballroom and glance around. The decorations are similar to the end of summer dance. Except most of the mermaid paraphernalia has been removed since I refuse to pretend mermaids are real.

I shove my phone in my back pocket and grab one of the boxes lined up against the wall. I put it together before starting to shove stuff from the first table into the box.

The door opens behind me. Thank goodness. Hudson found someone to help me after all.

I spin around with a smile on my face but the smile dies when I see who it is.

“Eli.” I guess he won’t remain unnamed after all.

“Lace.”

I grunt and spin back around to march to the next table. Who does he think he is? Calling me Lace? I’m not Lace to him. I was nothing to him. In fact, I drop the box on the ground.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

I’m giving my anger free rein. Eli deserves it.

He holds up his hand. “Can we talk?”

“Now you want to talk? When I tried explaining things to you earlier, you wouldn’t listen. But now you suddenly have time? Forget it. I’m done with you.”

I bend over to pick up the box but Eli places a hand on my arm to stop me. I jerk away.

“Do not touch me.”

“Sorry. I didn’t think.”

“Let me clear things up for you. You don’t touch a woman without her permission. And, in case your tiny little brain is confused, you do not have permission to touch me.”

He sighs and runs a hand down his face. “I deserved that.”

I snort. “You deserve a lot worse but I don’t have time for you today. I have to clean this up and I need to get back to the brewery.”

He growls. “I got your check.”

“I assumed as much since I asked Dakota to leave it on your desk.”

“I don’t want your money.”

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