Page 14 of Resting Beach Face
“Well, shit.”
“Exactly,” Noah said, looking guilty. “I tried to turn it off and the valve broke!”
Harrison spoke behind me. “We need to find the main shut-off.”
“No kidding.” I spun and darted past him, going out the sliding door onto the wraparound deck, then accessing the utility closet attached to the back of the hut. Inside, I found the turn-off and twisted it.
It resisted, and I threw my weight into it, grunting with exertion and praying to whatever evil entity reined over B&B owners that this pipe wouldn’t break too.
I didn’t have the strength of Noah, but the valve finally gave, inching its way toward off.
When it was done, I was breathing hard and pouring sweat. Was I really just telling Nathan about the relaxing life of owning a B&B?
That was karma for you. Always ready to be a bitch.
I returned to the hut, where Harrison and Noah waited for me.
“I’m so sorry,” Noah said. “This is such a mess. I thought I could handle it, but I made it so much worse.”
Harrison squeezed his shoulder. “It’s not your fault, babe. The pipes were old and corroded.” He tossed me an apologetic smile. “Part of its charm, I suppose.”
“It’s not very charming right now,” I said sourly.
Harrison wrinkled his nose. “No, uh, and on that note… I know you’ve got to take care of all this, but we can’t stay here.”
“Of course not,” I said with a sigh.
Then brightened as I found the silver lining. “How would you feel about a complimentary booking at the new Swallow’s Nest Resort?”
“That new hotel just down the road?” Noah sounded excited. “I saw they have a pool bar.”
“They do,” I said with a chuckle. “Pack up your things and I’ll call ahead. They’re newly opened, so they should have some rooms available. I’ll get you a reservation.”
“That is so nice!” Noah flung his beefy arms around me, smelling like a disturbing mix of cologne, sweat, and shit.
Harrison tugged him back. “Easy, babe. Remember what we talked about. You need to ask before hugging.”
Noah winced. “Sorry. I just really appreciate how gracious you all are here. What a nice place!”
“Well, it’d be nicer without the sewage on the floor,” I said dryly, “but yes, Swallow Cove is a great place.”
Even a guy like me— who couldn’t be called social even on a good day—had managed to make a few friends. Hudson Nash, a transplant to town who ran Swallow Adventures boat tours, had latched onto a fellow outsider and adopted me as his best friend. And once he started dating Fisher, there was no avoiding the gaggle ofhisfriends—not that I’d managed before that, when they took up so much space and energy and made so muchnoisewhen they gathered at The Rusty Hook, my favorite dinner spot.
It didn’t help that Cash was among them. He’d taken an interest in me early on. When I hadn’t returned it the first time, he’d seemed shocked. But instead of getting pissed, he’d grinned and told me I didn’t know what I was missing.
I was pretty sure I knew exactly what I was missing. But…week after week, year after year, he flirted shamelessly with me. And I had to admit, it was flattering even when it went nowhere.
And then there was that kiss…that brief, sweet brush of lips that changed everything.
For me, anyway.
I couldn’t see Cash without thinking of it. Not so much because the kiss was so amazing, but because I’d felt a flicker of attraction, a pull of connection, that was so rare for me.
But ever since my offer to let Cash stay at the B&B as needed—without a hookup for an excuse—he’d avoided the place.
I didn’t know where he spent his nights. Probably the resort now with a whole new set of Amys and Rauls. He didn’t need me or my B&B.
But that also meant he wasn’t my problem anymore. Except for right now. He worked the front desk at the resort and I’d just promised Noah and Harrison I’d get them a room.
