Page 46 of Another Lucky Number

‘That’s extremely kind of you.’ I turn to Charnice to check it’s all right to accept it. She gives a subtle nod without removing her eyes from the screen. ‘Thank you so much. It’s great for our employees to know they have served you well and that they have been appreciated. How long is your journey home?’

The woman launches into a detailed description of their return itinerary, which I listen to attentively. That is, until a familiar voice floats across the atrium, pricking my attention. Confused, I glance over the woman’s shoulder in time to catch sight of three blokes sauntering across the atrium dressed in swim shorts, T-shirts and flip flops, and my breath catches in my throat. I blink a couple of times to make sure I’m not seeing things – but this time I’m definitely not hallucinating. One of the three men is James. His face, his voice, his sexy smile.

Chapter Twenty

‘Emma? Are you OK?’

Charnice’s voice filters through to my consciousness and I tune back into my surroundings. The group of women we were checking out are wheeling their cases away, led by another member of the concierge.

‘Sorry…oh, gosh, I do apologise. I just saw someone—’

The door James walked out of suddenly re-opens, and he strides back into the atrium alone, heading in the direction he first came from.

Fuck.My immediate instinct is to hide but I’m not fast enough. He looks across in our direction and stops dead.

‘Emma?’

‘Hi.’ I give a mortified wave, all too aware how weird this must look without the context of my job interview.

James approaches the reception desk and Charnice politely excuses herself, no doubt to give me some privacy. He’s looking hot: all trendy summer beach gear, shades perched in his thick dark hair and gorgeous white teeth. A stark contrast to my current predicament.

‘What are you doing behind reception?’ he asks. ‘And why are you wearing the hotel uniform?’

I glance down at my outfit and my humiliation deepens. With my ‘holiday hair’ and my ‘deflated beach ball’ blouse, he couldn’t have seen me looking much worse.

‘I’m… learning how this place works… because I have an interview for a job with Paradis Resorts on Monday.’

‘You have an interview?’ He looks understandably baffled. ‘How did that come about?’

‘How do you think?’

‘Amber?’

‘Got it in one. We got chatting to the owner of the company in one of the bars, he happened to mention he was recruiting and Amber put on the hard sell.’

‘Sébastien Dumont,’ says James, and I see a flicker of something I can’t quite identify pass across his face. ‘Right. So, you’re going for a job… on reception?’

‘No.It’s a role in resort acquisition, supporting the company’s growth strategy.’

There’s another unreadable expression. ‘Great. Well, good luck with that, Emma. Enjoy your stint on reception. I’ll see you around.’

He gives me a curt nod and walks off in the direction he was originally heading. Stunned by his reaction, it’s only once he’s out of sight that my brain kicks back into gear – with a lot of questions. I was so appalled by him seeing me in this abominable outfit that I didn’t think to ask what he’s doing here on this resort when he’s meant to be in the US. As well as how he knows Sébastien (although it’s probably because he works in the travel industry himself), and also, what the hell is wrong with him? Where’s the charming, flirtatious guy that was so into me before?

Then realisation catches up. Last night was no hallucination or case of mistaken identity. ItwasJames –which means hedidsee me dancing with Sébastien, and now I’ve told him I’ve got an interview with Sébastien’s company too. So, basically, he thinks I’ve hooked up with the rich guy, and I’m planning to run off with him to hell knows where.Shit. No wonder he was cold with me. I need to find him and explain.

‘Uh… Charnice?’

‘Yes, Emma.’ She turns to me and I pull an apologetic face.

‘I’m really sorry, but I need to go and deal with something urgently.’

‘Of course.’ She appears unfazed by me bailing on her. ‘Is everything all right? Can I help at all?’

‘Thank you, but no. I’m fine. I’ll get it sorted. I’ll also drop this uniform back to you later if that’s OK?’

‘That’s fine.’ She gives me a sympathetic smile that indicates she overheard at least some of my conversation with James. ‘Good luck.’

Grabbing my clothes, I take off after James, but as I rush down one corridor of suite doors after the next, it becomes clear that I’m never going to find him. I let out a frustrated wail before catching a glimpse of myself in one of the resorts decorative mirrors.Oh my god, I really have to change.

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