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Chapter 1: Emily
“Emily, we’ve got a problem at the Riviera Army Base.” Amy’s voice crackles through the line, urgency in her tone. “A pipe burst in the middle of the night. We’ve got flooded rooms and the guests are furious. Again.”
I groan, “How many rooms are affected?”
“Four, but the water's creeping into the hallway. Maintenance is already on-site, but the complaints are pouring in.”
“Damn it! Not again.” I glance around my cluttered office; stacks of paperwork and endless to-do lists glaring back at me. “Can you handle the angry guests? I’ll send an email to the front desk to issue compensation.”
I picture our older properties, their charm overshadowed by the never-ending maintenance issues.
“Got it. I’ll keep you updated.”
I hang up the phone, the weight of constantly putting out fires pulling at my shoulders. Just another day of damage control. It’s all I’ve done since my father’s stroke.
I barely have time to think about long-term strategy because every day, something falls apart.
Before I can even take a breath, my phone rings again. My heart skips a beat when I seeMomflashing on the screen. I fumble to answer.
“Is Dad okay?” The words fly out of my mouth before she can even say hello.
“He’s the same,” she says softly, and tension eases from my body. “I’m calling to remind you about tonight’s dinner at the Bennett’s. We’re finalizing the wedding arrangements today.”
Right. The wedding. Because I don’t have enough to worry about.
The Bennetts want a huge affair, while my mother and I are determined to keep it small and intimate.
The invitations are going out next week and we’re still fighting over the guest list. I don’t even know half the people they want to invite, but what does it matter? It’s not like this is a real wedding anyway.
I let out a sigh, which my mother immediately picks up on.
“Are you sure you still want to go ahead with this?” she asks.
“Yes,” I say, not giving myself time to hesitate. This isn’t about love or romance. It’s about saving Dad’s company. It’s about keeping Riviera alive.
“I can’t imagine living with a man I didn’t love,” she says after a pause. “If I didn’t love your father, I would have left when he got sick.”
“Not everyone is cut out for love, Mom,” I reply, thinking back to my last relationship. Jaime had wanted a wife who didn’t embarrass him by speaking her opinion in public. A meek wife.
The criticism increased by the day. That was when I knew we weren’t going anywhere. I started pulling away before he even realized what was happening.
But Daniel Bennett? Not a man I could fall in love with, if love even exists.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” I say, eager to change the subject.
“Okay, sweetie. See you then,” she says before we hang up.
I sit back in my chair, staring at my phone. I should call Daniel but the thought annoys me. I’m the one always reminding him of these things.
I’ve barely heard from him this week, not that I’ve had time to care. Sorting out problems with the hotels has kept me more than occupied.
I scroll through my contacts, find his name, and hit dial. It rings, and rings and then goes to voicemail.
Typical.
“Daniel, it’s Emily,” I say after the beep. “Just a reminder about dinner tonight with my mom and your parents. It’s important, so please don’t forget.”
I hang up, my irritation simmering just below the surface. It’s bad enough I’m agreeing to marry him for the sake of our families’ businesses. Now I’ll have to nanny him, too?