Page 20 of Fragile Hearts

I have no idea if that would scare her or reassure her though. I know Sloane hasn’t really had anyone in her life she can rely on, apart from her friends, but it’s clear from our conversation last night that she still struggles with that.

I hate that she feels this way. That she genuinely thought she couldn’t ask me if she could bring her dog with her when she moved in here because she didn’t think it would be cool. All I want to do is make her feel safe and at home and like she belongs here, and while Mochi was definitely a step in the right direction, I know I still have some work to do.

My phone chimes out with a text as I’m lying here, and I reach over to grab it.

* * *

Dad: Hey, you want to swing by the Orchid Bay today? We’ve got that environmental report back, and I know you were keen to check it out.

* * *

I smile, loving that my parents have fully embraced my decision to not work in the hotel business with them, but to take a different approach. And I love that they too are also on board for considering the environmental impact of expanding their empire.

* * *

Me: Yeah, sure thing. I’ll come in around 11.

Dad: Great, see you then!

A couple of hours later, I head over to the hotel, walking in the back entrance toward the main offices where I know my dad will be waiting.

“Owen, hey,” he says, greeting me with a smile and an embrace. I’ve always been close to my parents and my older sister.

“Hey, Dad. How’s things?”

“Good, how about you? How’s the new roommate?” he asks, a sly smile on his face.

Chuckling, I shake my head because just like all my friends, my dad is also very aware of my huge crush on Sloane. “She’s good. We now have a dog.”

Dad raises a brow. “Oh, we do, do we?” he asks, teasingly.

“You know what I mean,” I reply as we both walk over to his desk.

“She’s working today, you know,” Dad points out. “Maybe you should go say hi.”

I roll my eyes, shaking my head at him as I say, “Yeah, I know she is, and I’m actually gonna take her to lunch, so if we could hurry this up, old man.” I make a rolling motion with my hand, and Dad laughs, throwing his arm around my shoulder.

“Alright, come on then.”

After we’ve looked at the report and discussed some of the options, I say goodbye to my dad and head out toward the main lobby area of the hotel. It’s a beautiful building, not too large and tastefully decorated with loads of plants and subtle lighting.

It’s the kind of place you come to stay if you want to get away for some peace and quiet and also if you have a shitload of money. There’s no denying it is an exclusive boutique-style hotel, but my family also owns more family-friendly places across the islands too.

Sloane is at the counter, typing away on the computer, her eyes on the screen as someone beside her serves a customer.

With a grin, I wander over, sliding my arms across the cool marble and leaning in as I say, “Hey.”

She looks up, blinking in surprise. “Hey,” she replies.

Chuckling, I ask, “You wanna grab some lunch?”

Sloane blinks again, turning to her colleague beside her, who is clearly trying to listen to whatever it is we are saying while she also serves the customer, before she turns back to me.

“What, now?”

“I mean, it is lunchtime, so yeah, now,” I reply with a laugh. “Come on, it’s cool.”

“You sure?” she asks, swallowing hard.