“Yes. He looks like a Greek god come to life, slightly annoyed that he has to interact with people that can’t keep up with him.” I nabbed a piece of lettuce out of the salad bowl in front of me. The spicy zing of vinegar hit my taste buds.

“Well, he does run a large corporation,” Emily said. “I assume he’s used to people rushing to do whatever he needs.”

“But he’s not quite as bad as I’d imagined.”

“Oh?”

“We spent several hours together. He demanded a full tour of the hotel. He’s taking stock of what needs to be upgraded.” I was not planning to tell Emily just how well I knew the man.

“Well, that sounds promising.”

“He’s also considering whether or not to tear the place down.”

“Oh no.” Emily’s face filled with concern. “I’m sure you’ll convince him otherwise.”

I made a humming sound and felt the pressure build. So many people and their jobs depended on me. “I’ve been to a couple of Langston Hotels. They’re classy and glitzy, but that wouldn’t suit Windward. I’ve showed him all the best spots in the hotel, tried to explain the charm, what it means to people.”

Emily came over and stroked a hand over my hair. “My smart girl. All you need to do is what you do best.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, it sounds like you told him all the good things about the Windward Resort, but you need to show him. Give him the experience so he feels it.”

Oh. I chewed on my lip, my brain firing. “Have I ever told you that you’re amazing?”

Emily smiled. “I don’t think you can ever tell me that too many times.”

I hugged her. “Well, you are. That’s a brilliant idea. Ro won’t know what hit him.”

“Ro?”

“Yes, that’s his name.”

My aunt studied me. “You like him.”

“What? Um… like I said, he isn’t quite as bad as I’d expected.”

My aunt made that humming noise that always annoyed me. Like she could read my mind and knew every naughty thing I’d done with Ro Langston.

“Aunt Em⁠—”

“Mom!” Caleb raced into the kitchen like a whirlwind. “Haley took my Pokémon cards. She messed them all up.”

Haley sauntered in, looking eight years old going on eighteen. “He called me a bad name. I’m not allowing that.” She crossed her arms.

Emily sighed. “Haley, give your brother his cards back. Caleb, don’t call your sister names. Both of you be nice, if you have a problem, discuss it.”

Haley slapped the cards on the counter with an aggrieved sigh. Then she spotted me. “Tessa!”

The next minute my arms were full of sweet little girl. “Hi.”

“Are you staying for dinner?”

I glanced at my aunt over Haley’s head.