Page 14 of Silver Fake

I walk through the lobby, taking a moment to glance around the sprawling resort that Barton Beach Hotel has become. It's nearly unrecognizable from the small oceanside inn I knew growing up.

Back then, it was a charming, if slightly rustic, establishment with a handful of rooms and a small, friendly staff. A far cry from the luxury behemoth it is today.

My eyes drift over the elegant décor, the sparkling chandeliers, and the sophisticated clientele busily milling around. The transformation is nothing short of astonishing. It's pretty amazing, really, how my parents, especially my mom, had this incredible talent for business. She saw this little hotel and, with some smart investments, transformed it into a top-notch destination.

The busy staff, the happy guests, the perfectly maintained grounds - they all tell a story of years of hard work, determination, and a touch of adventure. And it makes me really proud. I'm proud of my parents, proud of what they've accomplished, and how their efforts have not only transformed the hotel but the whole neighborhood.

As I continue my journey through the lobby, my eyes land on the Jessica Rose matchmaking office.

It's a quaint little setup located right in the middle of the hotel lobby. An attractive banner hangs in the front, announcing "Find Your Soulmate Today with Jessica Rose!" in bold, vibrant letters.

A tug of curiosity begins to stir within me.

I've never been the sort of person to resort to a dating app or service to find a partner. On the rare occasions when I've sought the company of a woman, I've never had trouble finding someone willing. However, given the short notice and my current circumstances, maybe this office could point me in the right direction for a date.

Decision made, I stride up to the matchmaking office, where a pleasant-looking young woman is sitting at the reception counter.

"Hi," I greet her, "I was wondering if I could speak with Ms. Rose."

The woman looks at me with a polite smile. "I'm afraid Ms. Rose's appointment book is full for the day," she says apologetically. "She's quite in demand, you see."

"I understand," I reply, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "Could you possibly let her know that John Barton is here? Maybe she can squeeze me in?"

A flicker of recognition flashes in her eyes. "Of course, Mr. Barton," she replies, her tone more respectful. "I'll let Ms. Rose know right away."

While she goes to inform Jessica Rose of my presence, I take a look around the office. It's tastefully furnished, with comfortable chairs and a coffee table laden with magazines. The walls are adorned with framed photographs of happy couples, no doubt successful matches made by Ms. Rose. Despite my cynicism, I can't help but feel a tinge of hope.

I can still hear the man talking so I head towards the back and see a table and chairs. The sideview of the man comes into view first. A twenty something blonde guy who looks like he’s still spending his parents money based on his gaudy designer choices and accessories. He’s leaning into a woman with his hand on her thigh and he’s talking a mile a minute about himself.

Stepping around the corner I freeze as soon as I see the woman this jackass is trying to impress. Lisa is sitting stiff as a board, her legs turned away from the guy even though he’s trying to pull her back with a hand on her thigh. My blood boils. I can feel heat surging through my limbs wanting to be released in the form of an attack to get this man’s hand off Lisa. Who the hell does this guy think he is?

My hands ball into fists at my side and I have never wanted to punch anyone more than I want to punch this guy right now. Lisa is practically flinching away from his touch, and this idiot is scooting closer to her. There’s no way he can’t see how uncomfortable she is. I can feel the tension radiating off her.

My feet move of their own accord, carrying me forward towards the two of them. I’m trying to breathe and convince myself to be rational before I rip this guy’s head off.

I don’t do that, though. Lisa would probably kick my ass if I did.

I have no claim on her aside from being her boss, and that holds no bearing here. Still, there is no way I am walking away and leaving this asshole alone with her. Especially not while he’s still got his hand on her thigh.

I move right in front of the two of them and Lisa looks up, her eyes landing on my own. Lisa and I have always remained professional at work. She’s never asked me for anything that wasn’t work related. Right now, I can feel her asking for my help with just the look in her eyes.

Maybe I’m confusing the look she’s giving me. Maybe she’s just upset to be seeing me here while she’s on vacation and supposed to be getting time away from me. Worry filters through me that she will be pissed seeing me here, or embarrassed that I found her here at this matchmaker’s office. Instead I first see relief. Then there is a silent plea in her gaze and I know she is not happy about this guy touching her and talking her ear off about how cool he thinks he is.

The guy talking her ear off pauses his monologue about himself long enough to look up at me and cock his eyebrow like I’m the problem here. That’s when I get a good look at his face and recognition kicks in. Nelson’s family consider themselves rivals of my family. I can’t believe he’s even inside the Barton Hotel. His dad would probably disown him if he found out.

Unless he’s here to scope the place out to try to steal ideas to take back for the hotel his family owns on the other side of town. No matter how hard they have tried over the years, they have never been able to beat the Barton Beach Hotel or Shore Kitchen for best hotel and restaurant. I wouldn’t put it passed him to be here to take my parent’s and Wyatt’s ideas and try to implement them as his own at his family’s property.

It wouldn’t be the first time. Even growing up, Nelson never got anything the honest way. If there was a way to cheat or find a faster and easier way to do something, Nelson was always going to find it.

There was one thing he wasn’t going to get starting right now. That is Lisa. She might be too polite to tell him to piss off, but I’m not. He can steal hotel and tourist attraction ideas all he wants, but he’s not stealing Lisa.

Lisa takes my offered hand, but Nelson doesn’t remove his hand from her thigh right away. Every bit of restraint within me is being used not to knock him away from her. My eyes drop to Nelson’s hand on Lisa’s thigh and narrow. Then that asshole flexes his fingers, gripping her thigh like he’s challenging me and all rational thought flees my mind.

With Lisa’s hand in mine, I lean down and put an arm behind her and pull her up until she’s in my arms. Her eyes flash up to meet mine and I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile but I don’t let her go. Instead I pull her close to my side, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her tight. Then I meet Nelson’s irritated glare and I give him my best exaggerated smile.

Then I open my mouth and speak without thinking, laying claim where I have none.

“Hi Nelson. It’s been a long time. I see you’ve met my girlfriend.”

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