Page 10 of Sunrise

We both erupt into a fit of giggles that draws Ken over.

"I know those giggles. More tea or chocolate cake?" He smiles at us.

We look at each other and say, "Both," at the same time and erupt into more giggles.

By now, the dining room is empty except for us. I assumed Kade had gone back to his room, but I was wrong. Because right after Ken sets down the cake and two more Hummingbird Island iced teas, he pulls up a chair and sits with us.

"I think you ladies are having the best time. Your giggles filled the whole room," he says.

"Oh, that was the tea." Brynn holds up her tea before taking another long sip.

"Tea caused you two to giggle like that?" He raises an eyebrow in question.

"It's a Hummingbird Island iced tea. You might know it as a Long Island iced tea, but we are on Hummingbird Island, so when in Rome…" I explain.

He shakes his head and watches me suck down more of my drink.

"Do you always drink when you're working?" he asks.

"Well, I'm not working anymore. I live here, and come dinnertime, I'm off duty. I normally have a night manager, but I'm on call since you paid her to stay home. But between you and Mr. Kiwi, a drink was definitely in order today." I slap my hand over my mouth, causing Brynn to giggle again.

We giggle a lot when we drink, and we both call alcohol our truth serum because it's like our filter disappears.

"What did I do that caused you to need to drink a Hummingbird?" he asks and realizes how it sounds soon as he says it.

This time, he chuckles along with us.

"I mean, have you seen you? Plus, the stress of getting this place ready for you was enough to make Jesus himself hit the bottle," Brynn says. “I think we've slept maybe eight hours in three days. Then he who shall not be named shows up today of all days as if he can just walk back into town like he did nothing." Brynn finishes off the cake we were sharing.

"I think we need to go to bed," I tell her.

"Okay. See you tomorrow," she says, and Ken is right at her side.

"I'll make sure she gets to her room," Ken says and guides her out of the dining room.

Kade walks beside me as we head out the side door and across the boardwalk to the Sunrise Inn.

"She lives on the property too?" he asks, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah, we both moved in when our parents died. Didn't want to live alone and figured this was best if we were going to run them," I say.

"I'm sorry about your parents," he says in a soft tone.

Needing to change the subject, I wave my hand at him.

"It's been fun most nights off-season. We stay in one inn or the other together and binge-watch all the TV shows we miss during the season." I shrug.

"Except when an annoying Hollywood playboy shows up on your doorstep demanding all your time." He smiles.

"Will you be demanding all my time?" I ask.

"Not demanding but maybe requesting? Despite coming out here to get away from Hollywood, I don't actually want to be alone for two weeks."

"Ahhh, I'd suggest getting off the island for those needs. There isn't a girl in town who wouldn't blast about where you are if they landed in your bed."

He's quiet for a bit, and I can't see his face clearly until we reach the door for the Sunrise. He looks a little hurt and a little upset, and he tries to mask it but fails.

"Not everything you read is true," he says.

---