Page 84 of Release Me

I’m relieved that he’s gone, but my mind spins as I run through names. I employ sixteen seasonal staffers here, and I’m already down seven. Who else might be bailing on me?

“Ex-boyfriend?” Ronan asks casually.

“Ex fiancé,” Frank answers for me, earning my glare as he passes by, on a mission for a cup of coffee.

Ronan lets out a low whistle as he shifts out of the doorway, closer to me. His shorts are damp from his swim and, while not clinging to his groin anymore, hang low enough to highlight the V of muscle cutting downward into his pelvis. It’s not helping my concentration.

“Come on.” I gesture at theNo shoes, no shirt, mediocre servicesign on the wall while inhaling the scent of clean sweat and salt water that follows him.

He sets his coffee cup on my counter and pulls his shirt on, allowing me one last admiring gaze at a torso that should never be covered. “The hotel hasn’t even opened yet. Seriously, what’s the hate for?”

“That hotel has haunted me for the past five years, and it won’t stop. First, it came after my peace, and now it’s trying to ruin my business.”

A strange flicker of recognition passes across Ronan’s eyes. “Fuck… You’re the crazy rooster commune lady.”

“Crazy rooster commune lady?”

Through the open door, Frank barks with laughter.

“You own the property next door to the hotel,” he amends, and it’s followed by a muttered curse.

“Employees have heard about me?” That’s surprising. Despite all my efforts, I assumed I was nothing more than a gnat on a horse’s ass to them.

“Well, yeah, the hotel manager …” His words trail.

“The hotel managerwhat?” I’ve never met this manager. I have no idea who they are. What are they telling their staff to do—stay away from me? Harass me until I’ll sell?

“So, that’s what that reaction back there was about?” Ronan jams a thumb in the air toward the beach, not answering my question. “You ditched me because I work for Wolf?” His tone is mocking.

When he says it like that, it does sound petty, but it’s not even 8:00 a.m., I’m already tired, and now I have to worry about how many more staff members plan on deserting me. “Don’t you have a job to get to?”

He checks his watch and collects his coffee cup. “Actually, yeah, I do. Thanks for the help in the water. See you around. Maybe.” That last word is a mumble. He may as well have saidnot likely.

I bite my bottom lip with a mixture of reluctance and regret as I watch him and his deliciously powerful back stroll out.

Frank sticks his head in. “Making friends everywhere these days, hey, Parker? Or should I say crazy rooster commune?—”

“Shut up,” I snap. “You live in that commune, remember?”

“I’m getting T-shirts made.” His deep chuckle trails him back into the coffee shop.

Rebel appears then, holding out a warmed macadamia scone and wearing a sympathetic smile. “Hungry?”

“You’re a godsend.” I clamber for the treat—my favorite. “It’s so nice having you guys back.” I add loud enough to carry, “Frankneverdoes nice things for me.”

A responding grunt is all I get.

“So?” Her dimples flash as I moan through a mouthful. “Who was that guy?”

“A customer from the other day.”

“Who’s got a thing for Sloane,” Frank hollers.

“Stop gossiping!” I scowl at the wall between us.

“Could be a customer with benefits.” She waggles her eyebrows.

“Not my style, you know that. Plus, I think those benefits just walked out the door, never to be seen again.” Ronan is not my concern right now, though. “Have you talked to Jeremy lately?” He and Rebel occasionally wake up in each other’s beds together—naked.

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