Page 72 of Fragile Hearts

Carrying it into the kitchen, I set it down on the island and grab a knife to open it.

On top is a little handwritten note from Alana.

* * *

For my favorite girlies!

* * *

Each of you received a box filled with goodies from Racy Girl, who just signed me for sponsorship and to partner with them on a line of bikinis!

Hit the beach, my betties!

* * *

Love you!

* * *

I sort through the box, pulling out rash guards and bikinis, sunglasses and boardshorts, along with some T-shirts and the cutest one-piece suits with open backs and adorable details.

I quickly grab my phone, snapping some pictures of it all scattered across the island. Not wanting to ruin it for Sage or Daisy in case they haven’t gotten their boxes yet, I text Alana only.

* * *

Me: Alana!! This is incredible. Thank you so much for all this awesome stuff. I can’t wait to get out on the water with it. And holy shit, you’re killing it! A sponsorship deal and a collab! So fucking proud of you!

Alana: Thanks, babe. Same to you. So proud of you for taking a chance on Owen. You deserve all the happiness in the world. You have one more thing coming, so hang tight or hang ten.

* * *

She’s so cute, and I laugh at her last line. And as much as I’d love to spend the day texting back and forth with Alana, I’ve got to get to work.

The hotel is busy, even more than usual, and I’d say it has something to do with the opening of Orchid Bay Lux. People have been referencing it while checking in, and we’ve even had to turn guests away who have shown up without a reservation.

Sally comes over to where Amber and I are standing at the front desk, a huge smile on her face as she carries a stack of magazines.

Setting them down, she begins to thumb through until she finds what she’s looking for, her smile growing even larger.

“So much press for Lux,” she says, pushing a magazine each over to Amber and me. “Our social media is blowing up with tags. I think this is our biggest opening ever.”

Looking down at the spread, it’s Lux from every angle. Every gorgeous feature of the hotel is showcased: the foliage, that all-white marble lobby with its deep wood accents, the pool, the suites, the view.

“Not surprised,” Amber says sweetly. “Lanai is made for a place like Lux, and it seems to be boosting bookings here too. Look at this place.”

She holds her hands out in front of her, looking around at the crowded lobby, the guests milling about, the noise of excited chatter filling the open-air space.

“But I think this is my favorite thing from that night,” Sally says, turning to look at me. “I’ve never seen so much happiness in one picture.”

She slides another magazine over to me, and this one is of Owen and me. I’m laughing, a genuine smile on my face as he whispers something in my ear. The photographer caught this moment when neither of us knew. Unplanned and unstaged, and all I see when I look at it is the love Owen and I have for each other. I never knew it could be captured so effortlessly, but there it is, right in front of me.

“I got the photographer to send me the original,” Sally whispers to me, a knowing smile on her face. “Love looks good on you both.” She kisses my cheek, running a hand down my arm.

She gathers up the magazines just as the desk begins to fill with waiting guests. Taking the magazines out to the tables in the lobby, she sets them out for the world to see. Not at all shy about her success, and she shouldn’t be. She and Rick have worked hard to build the brand to what it is today, and the guests keep coming back, so they are definitely doing something right.

“Owen Sinclair, huh?” Amber says as we continue to check in guests, her words laced with a cute excitement. “Girl, you landed the boy everyone wants, but I’m sure you already know that. Congrats.”

“Thanks, and he is pretty perfect.”