Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
I’m deep in thought as I drive the girls back to their apartment complex and only catch on to their new conversation once I realize Simone and Annika are planning to take a boat out tomorrow before work.
“Know of any good charter companies on the island?” Annika asks Juan Carlos.
He shrugs and points to me. “Usually we just take Cristiano’s boat.”
There’s a beat of silence before Isabel speaks up confidently. “That solves it! We’ll do the same.”
Her friends turn to her. “What?”
I glare at her in the rearview mirror as she continues, “It’s a much better plan. We’re not going to waste our money taking out a little dinghy. I’m sure Cristiano would love to let us borrow his boat for the day. Right?” Before I can reply, she goes on, “And you know what? Let’s invite the guys, too. Ethan and Felix. Make it a real party.”
She takes a big bite of her hamburger, and it feels like a veritable Fuck you.
I smile, and with a bored, unenthusiastic tone, I confirm. “Sí. Sounds good. We’ll all go.”
The next morning is sunny and warm, already proving to be a perfect day to spend out on the water. I drink my coffee on the balcony off my bedroom, watching the calm bay and running through a mental checklist of my schedule. Last night, I made an impulsive decision agreeing to take Isabel and her friends out on my boat, but I have a full day of work. Business doesn’t slow down even if it’s Sunday. At ten AM, I have a call with our drink distributor. They’re trying to raise wholesale prices on the majority of the mix-ins we use for cocktails at Aura and Cala Luna. After, I’m supposed to join Sabor a Sol’s chef for a lunch tasting to finalize the menu for our soft opening in two weeks. I also need to do a walk-through with the construction manager to see how behind we are—I know there have been delays with some of the tilework and the lighting installation.
I should have no problem knowing how to handle this situation; I need to blow off Isabel and focus on work. I should cancel the boat day and leave it at that. If she’s pissed, let her be pissed. It’s not my problem, and yet…
I don’t want to disappoint her.
Maldición. I’m having that feeling again—the one I tried to ignore the last time I was out on my yacht. It’s starting to creep up inside me like an invasive vine and cloud my judgment. I’ve climbed the ranks in business by operating like a robot, and it hasn’t even been a hardship. Hiring good employees, letting go of the ones who prove disloyal or unproductive—that’s easy for me. I want the best for my companies, and that means devoting my full attention to my hospitality group. Work is the one place I’ve found peace and happiness, but now I’m beginning to wonder how much longer it will sustain me.
I should cancel the boat trip, but I want to put a smile on Isabel’s face. I want to see her out on the water, enjoying herself for no reason other than it will make me happy to see her happy. Without another thought, I fire off an email to my assistant, Carmen, so she’ll clear my schedule.
She texts me immediately, concerned that my email potentially got hacked.
This isn’t like me. I can’t remember the last time I cleared my schedule for anything. From a root canal to the stomach flu, nothing warrants a day off.
Reconfigure things so my morning and afternoon are clear, and let Garrett know to have the boat ready for a 10:00 AM departure. Also, get me Isabel De Vere’s personal phone number. She’s an employee at Aura.
Carmen is quick about it. Not five minutes later, I have Isabel’s number, and I call her before I lose the nerve. I’m actually nervous. Nervous. Me… I can’t recall the last time I felt my heart race like this.
Isabel isn’t quick to put me out of my misery; she only answers after the fifth ring. Maybe she was debating whether to pick it up since it’s an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Isabel.”
“Oh… you.”
I smile.
“I’m going to have a driver come get you and your friends. Be ready by nine forty-five. There’s room for three.”
“We invited the guys, so there are going to be five of us. Will that be an issue?”
I roll out my neck. “It’s a small boat.”
“Oh, really?”
“Fine. Bring whoever you want, but be ready at nine forty-five.”
“You don’t need to come with us, you know. It’s not too late to back out. I’m sure you’re busy.”
It’s like she knows I just canceled my plans for her.
“It’s a Sunday,” I point out by way of a poor excuse.
“So you usually take weekends off?” she challenges.