Page 23 of Between Love and Loathing
“I don’t hate your resort, Dominic.” I sighed. “You sound like me when Evie tries a dessert of mine and doesn’t immediately bowl over in pure joy.”
“You’re more honest than most of my team. I need an honest opinion.”
“I don’t have opinions except on my bakery,” I said. “Plus, I don’t answer trick questions.”
“Trick?”
“Be honest but not too honest, because you’ll hurt that person’s feelings, and then they’ll lash out. I don’t enjoy that game.” I’d encountered it enough times with my mother and sister to know better.
“I don’t lash out. And I don’t really have feelings you specifically could hurt.” I laughed at the way he said it, like he was proud his feelings were so in check, that he was proud he didn’t give a shit about anyone else.
“Still, I’d rather not share any more opinions of your resort with you. We’re done here.” With that, I pushed through a tall glass door that opened to an expansive patio overlooking the beach. The music hit me along with the cool air off the ocean. Paloma waved to me immediately, her arm swinging back and forth wildly. The arm dropped when she saw who was behind me.
I didn’t spare him even a backward glance as I rushed away. I had to leave the idea of him and what I’d done behind. It wasn’t at all like me, and it wasn’t at all something I thought I’d like so much.
CLARA
“How’s it going?” I whispered over to Paloma, trying to act like I hadn’t just had my boss serve me the best orgasm of my life mere minutes ago.
“You missed Ed Sheeran. I can’t even … They broughtEd Sheeranhere just for us, Clara.” So, Dominic had spent some money on making his employees feel welcome after all. “And there were dancers, and I think there might be fireworks later, I kid you not.”
“That’s amazing.” I glanced around and saw the buzz across the hundred people here. Laughter and smiles in the moonlight.
I found myself searching for him, wanting to see his reaction to the joy he’d brought people that night, but didn’t see him anywhere. It was a reminder he didn’t want to witness that with them, didn’t want to mingle at all.
“So, did you do it?”
“Do what?” I whipped around, eyes wide as I smoothed my hair in front of Paloma. Did I look like I’d screwed around with him?
“Did you paint an accent wall in your bakery?” she whisper-yelled at me. “Did Mr. Hardy see? Is he mad?”
I let out a breath of anxiety and looked down at my heels in the sand. I probably should have worn something other than stilettos. I slid one foot out and then another, went to toss them over by my purse, and considered if it was a bad look.
Yet, no one was there for me to look good for or bad for except myself. Tonight was about me. I was on my own, and this was my chance to live just for me. “Yes, I painted it, and honestly, I don’t care if heismad.”
I think my eyes got just as wide as Paloma’s once the words left my mouth, but the ones that were knocking around in my head were Dominic’s. He’d told me to take what I wanted, and tonight I was going to. Tonight was about making new friends, seeing how we would all work as a team, and having a bit of fun.
Paloma whooped and pulled me around to talk with everyone. I shook hands with Eddie, whose beach bar was the perfect addition on the strip for the nightlife. I hugged Paloma’s store neighbor, Courtney, who was adorned with the beautiful jewelry she would be selling in a month to our guests. Garrett owned the vineyard to the east of the resort and offered me a glass of his finest. And when we came to Valentino, I think my breath caught in my throat at how attractive he was up close. His dirty-blond hair was naturally highlighted from the sun, his blue eyes twinkled like we had an inside joke already, and his strong biceps showcased that he worked out.
Paloma pointed between us. “You two are going to love each other. She makes the best desserts, Valentino. It’s like Christmas and your birthday in your mouth at the same time, I swear.”
“Christmas and my birthday, huh?” He held his hand out, and I knew I was blushing.
“Probably not both. Maybe one.”
“And she’s humble.” He chuckled and I practically melted like the chocolate I’d made earlier with Dominic. “I’m sorry we haven’t met sooner.”
I finished shaking his hand and wondered why that comment didn’t sit quite well with me. Whyhadn’twe met earlier? He knew I was there, knew I was a new bakery owner, and knew I’d dropped off chocolates at his restaurant. “Yes. Sorry. I stopped by and left a note with chocolates …”
“Ah, my team probably gobbled them right up.” He shrugged, and that definitely explained it. He was insanely busy with a whole restaurant as opposed to just my bakery. “Don’t be sorry, though, love. I’m happy we’re meeting now. We’ll have to get together soon, sample one another’s plates, no?”
“That sounds great.” My heart fluttered. Should I have told him how much I admired his work? That I’d followed his career?
Paloma pulled me along and then whispered, “Okay, down girl. You have stars in your eyes. Let’s keep him wanting more. Time for us to have fun now.”
Admittedly, I listened and had too much fun with too many margaritas, dancing well into the night with Paloma by my side. When she and Eddie started talking more, I leaned in to tell her that I was going to go walk on the beach for a minute just to enjoy the air. As I strolled down through the sand, the sound of the music got quieter, the lights faded in the distance a bit and the moon shined bright.
The water washed up to shore fast over the sand, and then pulled back like it was breathing in and out. In and out.
