Page 2 of Sunrise

"God, do you think he's a complete jerk who will throw his coffee across the room if it's not made right?" I giggle.

"For the love of God, I will throw the pot right back at him." Brynn laughs. I know she will, too, because she has a good arm. She has thrown several seashells at me over the years, one of which I still have a scar from. She will never live that one down.

"Let's make a list of what needs to get done," Brynn suggests.

"Well, I need to check my email and get him the info for every employee who won't be working and their pay so he can cut them a check. After we decide who to keep. I think Bertha and her husband, John. They will get a bonus for working. Kade's manager said it's an incentive to keep their mouth shut."

Bertha is the head housekeeper at the Sunrise and has been with us since my parents ran the place. She started here one summer at age sixteen and just never left. Her husband, John, is my maintenance man and assists for the landscaping when needed. He also has no problem helping his wife clean, so I think we can make it work between the four of us.

"I agree. We'll also need a few security guys, but I don't think you need anyone else, and if you do, we can bring them in from Sunset. Now go check your email and start making calls to let people know they have an unexpected vacation, and I will go check on the room and your pantry to make sure we have what we need."

"Maybe get dressed first." I run my eyes over her, and she punches my arm.

"Ow," I say, rubbing where she hit me.

"It's too early for you to be a smart-ass," she says and heads to her bathroom. I go back to Sunrise and pull my employee list up. I make the calculations, and it will cost him.

When I open my email to send him the information, I'm greeted with a happy surprise. If the visit goes well, he'll offer us a bonus to divide how I see fit. I guess this is a bit of a bribe to make sure there are no hiccups.

I shoot him an email with the daily rate totals for the twenty rooms for fourteen nights and the pay for the employees I'll be sending home. I also ask if he will be supplying his own security or wants to use my day and nighttime guards.

I open the document for the contracts for the stay and e-sign it before sending it back. Then I start making phone calls. I know it's early, but I have too much to do, and I'm calling with good news so that should make up for it.

Everyone grumbles when they answer my call but then perk right up at the mention of a two-week paid vacation. Most don't ask for details, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, but a few press me. So I just say I had someone rent the inn for privacy, and I don't need a full staff. That seems to satisfy them.

Once the calls are made, I check my email again and find they want to use my security. Also attached are the nondisclosures he wants all my employees to sign, including myself.

After printing out the copies I need, I call Bertha, John, and my security guys in for an emergency meeting this afternoon. Then I go find Brynn.

I find her in the Sunrise Suite. This is my favorite room in the whole place. My mom decorated every detail and even took the photos that adorn the walls. They are from around the island.

The suite is the only one of two rooms on the third floor, and the only one that faces the ocean. It has its own balcony where I love to sit when the room is empty, which isn't often.

The room has a large king bed and a sitting area, a kitchen nook, and a massive bathroom with a claw-foot tub situated for an ocean view. It has all the fancy touches, a hardwood floor, a modern beach theme with blues and greens throughout.

"Okay, I'd say let's not chance it and treat the room like someone was just here. Replace everything, dust everything, clean everything. The works," Brynn says.

Now that she is up and dressed, she is in work mode, and she is kick-ass at her job. I knew she'd be the perfect one to take the lead on this.

"I agree. We have a meeting with Bertha, John, and the security team this afternoon. I texted you the details. We'll sign the NDAs then," I tell her.

"You call everyone else and give them time off?"

"Yes. Everyone is coming in today and tomorrow to give the whole inn a huge once-over cleaning. I don't want to take any chances by having them here on the day he arrives. So even if we are up all night ourselves, we will make it work," I say, and she nods.

"Okay, I will hit the farmers' market before he gets in that day, but let's get to work. You said he won't be staying in the other rooms?" she asks.

"That's what I was told, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to give them a dusting and once-over as well. Just in case."

"Famous last words. Just in case." She sighs as we stare out at the morning sun dancing over the Atlantic Ocean for another moment. We will do this for them, for our parents.

I know we are both thinking it. They would have loved this. We will pull this off for them.

Chapter 2

Kade

I hate clubs. I hate parties. I am just starting to hate the Hollywood lifestyle altogether. Once you are labeled a playboy, it's nearly impossible to shake it. No matter what you do, it gets spun into a negative light.

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