Page 5 of Hot Water: A BBW Small Town Romance (Lovers Lake)

Lexi

Ihave plenty to do and over the next few weeks, I successfully manage not to be alone with Ethan. I make sure to only talk to him when someone else is around. But I can’t help sneaking glances in his direction when I think he’s not looking. God help me, living and working with him will make the next few months difficult. But if I focus, I will find plenty of tasks to keep myself busy.

We have no Wi-Fi set up in the hotel yet and cell phone service inside the building is weak. I spent an hour with my cell in one hand and a note pad in the other, jotting down where reception is strongest. Lo and behold, what a surprise, phone reception is strongest in the reception area of the hotel. I make myself right at home, creating a temporary office nook that I can work from.

The first thing we need is a communications system. We can’t operate without internet. It’s not the nineteen eighties anymore. I contact a friend in Chicago who agrees to design a plan and together we order what is needed. He said he can be on site to oversee the setup as early as next week. It’s a big job, and he’ll need to stay the night, so I’ll need to talk to Ethan about organizing a room for him. It will only be one night, and we’ll include his stay with his expenses. After all, he’s doing us a huge favor.

When I talk to Ethan about my IT plan, he’s preoccupied with paperwork. He gives me what he can of his attention, but I can tell his mind is elsewhere. He’s only half listening, and I assume that’s because he trusts me. He agrees to let me handle it all, which makes me super nervous. It’s a lot of money, but I trust my friend and know he’ll do a good job.

When deliveries begin arriving regularly over the following days, Ethan seems impressed. “Well done, Lexi. You’ve got it under control. Thank you. When is your friend coming to wire it all up?”

I can’t believe another week has flown by since I ordered the equipment and answer, “Tomorrow. We should be live by the end of the following day, or at least be in testing mode. How cool is that?” I have to admit I’m pretty chuffed with myself.

“I look forward to meeting your friend, and thanks again for all your help.” Ethan’s great big beaming smile warms me from the ground up and I’m thrilled things are working out. My confidence is at an all-time high and I can’t wait to phone Baxter and tell him.

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