Page 37 of The Problem with Perfect

Nodding, I flip my blinker and pull into the resort parking lot. “You are absolutely correct,” I tell her, rounding to the back of the hotel and coming to a stop in one of the few dozen spaces reserved for employees.

“I’ll only be a few minutes.” Emily rolls up her window and pushes her door open.

“I’m actually gonna come in, too,” I tell her, stepping out of the car as well. I close my door and move to the front, meeting Emily at the bumper. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Elijah, and today feels like the perfect day to remind him of that twenty bucks he owes me.”

Emily laughs as we walk inside. “From what?”

“He bet me I couldn’t memorize a brand-new drink list in one night.”

She scoffs. “Seriously? Did he not know about your memorization skills yet?”

I shrug. “Who knows, but what Idoknow is he still owes me twenty dollars, and every time I see him, he somehow manages to get out of paying me. Not today, though.”

She laughs as we turn down a wide hallway that leads to the hotel lobby. There are two young women helping guests at the concierge desk, and Emily steps behind the counter and dips into an open doorway that I’m fairly sure is Elijah’s office.

Before I can follow her, I hear my name, and when I turn, I smile at Sean Pruitt’s approaching form.

“Hey, Mr. Pruitt.”

He opens his arms wide and gives me a big hug before leaning an elbow against the counter, a smile on his face. “Hey there, sweetheart. Haven’t seen you in…wow, a few months at least.”

“I know. You and Tricia haven’t been in for dinner in forever.”

“Yeah, you know how it is. The months leading up to summer are filled to the brim with all the prep work getting ready for the influx of guests. How are things for you? Get that CPA license yet?”

I roll my eyes. “Still finishing up the last section of my exams, then I have to get some work experience under my belt before I’m eligible for a license. But I’m hoping it’ll be sooner rather than later.”

Mr. Pruitt nods. “Well, keep me posted. You know we use George for all the resort financials, but I heard he’s retiring soon, and we’d like to stay local.” He chuckles. “None of that online tax mumbo jumbo.”

I stifle a laugh and nod. “I’ll definitely let you know once I’m able to start working.”

He snaps his fingers. “Hey, not sure if you know, but Connor is back in town, and he brought his fiancée with him. We were thinking about doing a little engagement dinner celebration soon. Maybe we’ll come to Dock 7.”

I’ve never had a poker face, and it requires all my effort to keep smiling.

“That sounds…great.”

His phone starts ringing, and he glances at it. “Ah, speaking of my son…” He puts it up to his ear. “Hey, Connor.” Pause. “Yeah, I’m actually in the lobby right now with…” Mr. Pruitt turns, his words trailing off as he looks over my shoulder.

My heart sinks, and I glance behind me, spotting Connor approaching us. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that he’d be here, too, but of course it makes sense. Stace mentioned that Connor came home for the summer to begin working for the family business, and the Pruitt family owns the resort.

God, I want to kick myself. I should have just stayed in the car.

“Hey, Bellamy.” He gives me that same charming smile that used to make me swoon and now just makes me angry.

“I’ll let you two kids chat,” Mr. Pruitt says, patting me on the shoulder. “It was good to see you, sweetheart. We’ll see you at Dock 7 soon for that engagement dinner.” He looks at Connor. “Find me once you’re done chatting.”

He heads off through the lobby, leaving me behind with Connor.

In the past, I was only able to imagine a run-in with Connor Pruitt happening so seamlessly. Accidentally seeing his dad, Connor showing up out of nowhere, his dad leaving the two of us behind to talk—it’s all so perfect.

Now, though, my skin itches with the need to get out of here.

“You here to see me?” Connor asks, stepping closer, his smile growing smug.

I take a step back, trying to maintain a bit of space between us. “I actually came in to see if Elijah is here.”

Connor nods, but it’s apparent he thinks I reallyamhere to see him, regardless of what I tell him.

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