Page 36 of A Mutually Beneficial Proposal

I’ve never been the kind of guy who set out to find the one, but after last night, I already know I’m not giving Ella up easily. There is a light inside her that I want to ignite in more ways than one.

The guy returns and hands me the putter and ball. I turn with Natalie to go back to our group. We’ve taken too long to walk the short distance, and the three waiting jackasses stare daggers at us since we’ll now be last in the lineup, but I don’t pick up my speed and neither does Natalie.

“Jack wanted me to take you to the mixer last night. I’m sorry you got stuck with Todd, but I’ll try to help run interference now that I know more. Though, it will only be for show and while we’re at the functions,” I say, still keeping Ella in mind when I say the last bit. I don’t want this situation to leak outside of work, not when I’ve just met Ella and want to spend as much time with her as possible before our week is up on the island.

She smiles and nods. “Thank you, Owen.”

I’m not sure I’ve made the right choice by basically telling Natalie that we need to pretend to be into each other while we’re around Jack, but as long as she understands, I go with the plan for now.

We return to the group, and Jack is eyeing the two of us. I can only hope that’s a good thing, but knowing Jack, he could have already changed his mind from the night before.

Jack grabs my arm when I attempt to walk past him. “Everyone go ahead. Owen and I will be right behind you.”

I don’t let my aggravation show and keep my face neutral. “What’s going on, Jack?”

He moves so his back is to the others. “We need to chat.”

“Is this about the messages you sent? My phone died and I didn’t realize the charger wasn’t plugged in all the way,” I lie and take a step away from his closeness.

Jack dismisses my words with a wave of his hand. “Don’t worry about last night. I’d rather not see that date of yours around anymore, but I’m more concerned with Natalie. I mentioned that I was having a problem with her, and her showing interest in you just now tells me I was right to ask for your help. Be nice to her. See if she’ll tell you anything for me.”

“What topic should I be hoping she’ll mention something about?” I ask with a tilt of my head.

Jack drums his fingers over his thigh. “That’s not important. Just let me know if she says anything out of the ordinary, okay?”

“Sure, Jack. I’ll see what I can learn and get back to you,” I say with a grin.

* * *

Eight painful hours later,I’m able to head back to my hotel room. Mini golf lasted three of those hours, then there was lunch where it seemed like everyone except for Natalie and I got drunk before we headed out on a yacht. Half of the employees ended up hanging out at the sides of the boat because they were so sick, including Natalie who I had to help back to her room.

She’d never been on a boat in the ocean and had no idea she’d get seasick, but I promised to find time to chat with her tomorrow when she was feeling better. With Jack wanting me to get information from her, I figured an opportunity to talk with her privately would be easier to make happen now.

Overall, the day was a shitshow, and I’m ready to see Ella in hopes she’s had a better one that will rub off on me.

Except when I get to the room, she’s not there. There’s not even a note from her. I think back to the morning, and we definitely said dinner around seven. It’s 6:45pm. Maybe I’m supposed to meet her downstairs.

I don’t waste time thinking about it. I head for the shower and rinse the fucked day off me before putting on cargo shorts and a plain white t-shirt.

I’m disappointed Ella isn’t waiting in the room for me when I’m done, but I don’t let that deter me. I make my way downstairs and to the restaurant.

Ella isn’t in the lobby, and my faith that I’m going to find her is dwindling.

A hostess greets me. “Do you have a reservation, sir?”

“No, but someone might already be here waiting for me. Her name is Ella Danes.”

She looks over a sheet on the podium in front of her. “What’s your name?”

“Owen Porter.”

She frowns and points to the paper. “Sorry, Mr. Porter. I don’t see her name or yours on our list and we put everyone here, even if they don’t have a reservation.”

Is Ella Danes standing me up? I didn’t think she would do that, but this just proves I don’t know her as much as I’d like to.

“Thank you anyway,” I say before walking outside.

Maybe I’ve been duped. Or maybe I felt a connection with Ella that was only one-sided and she decided to take off today, regardless of the night and morning we had. I’m suddenly feeling used, and I’m not sure what to think about that. Part of me feels proud of her. I didn’t think she was capable of such an act, but the other parts of me feel betrayed.

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