Page 16 of Clock Strikes Paradise (Island Escapes #4)

When I informed Nate that Elise was joining us for dinner, he gave me a long, curious look that I ignored.

I wasn’t sure what exactly was happening between us, but I didn’t want her feeling excluded.

She swept into the room wearing blue linen pants and a sleeveless blouse, the perfect blend of business and casual.

Her hair was down and curling around her shoulders as she took charge of seating us and dealing with the room service delivery.

I had to grip my wineglass to resist the urge to stroke a finger down the velvety skin of her arm.

Camille kept the conversation light when I wanted to dig too deep into our prospective bidders, updating us on her and Nate’s hockey foundation.

It reminded me of his previous observation that I was a joyless workaholic—at least now I recognized my tendencies.

Elise and Camille hit it off right away, discussing some hit television show I’d never heard of.

My gaze wandered Elise’s way several times over the meal, especially when a light, sweet scent drifted my way from her.

Because I didn’t think it was perfume. I was pretty sure it was her .

Eventually, the conversation between Nate and me circled back to business. We discussed the offers from both Laurent and Celeste, weighing the pros and cons of keeping Podium a family-run business or taking Laurent’s more lucrative offer.

As the meal wore down, Nate sounded as torn as I was about which offer to take. “I met with both of them this afternoon after we arrived,” he noted, setting his napkin on his empty plate. “Laurent’s offer is tempting, but Celeste’s approach feels more, I don’t know… authentic, I guess. ”

“I agree,” I said, still undecided myself. “We need to hash this out some more.”

“It’s a huge decision for you two,” Camille said, then turned to Elise with a wink. “Why don’t you and I take a dip in the pool while the boys talk shop?”

Elise hesitated for a moment before agreeing, and the two women left us to change into their swimsuits.

“Want a beer?” I asked, already heading for the minibar fridge. Nate nodded, and we settled down across from each other on couches.

“All right,” Nate said as I handed him the bottle. “Enough about Podium for the moment. What’s going on between you and Elise?”

My stomach lurched. “Nothing. We’re just sharing a cottage because of a mix-up with her room. We have separate bedrooms.” I tried to sound casual as I took a sip of my beer, hoping Nate would drop it.

“Come on, Clay. You and Elise had a weird current running between you during dinner. That is definitely new.” He gave me a long, knowing look.

I sighed. Maybe it would help to talk about it. Exorcize the demon. “Okay, fine. Maybe I’m starting to see her differently. But she works for me. Nothing’s going to happen between us.”

Nate draped an arm across the back of the couch. “It’s okay to let go once in a while.”

I gaped at him, incredulous. “With my assistant ?”

He cocked his head, reading my thoughts. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I caught her sneaking some glances at you tonight.”

I stared at him, putting an edge of steel in my eyes. “I fired Bart yesterday. For harassing Elise.”

His eyes went round. “Are you shitting me? ”

“Most definitely not shitting you.”

“He always was an asshole.” Nate shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “I see your problem now, but life isn’t always neat and tidy. You’re sure as hell not Bart Mayhew, and I’m sure Elise realizes that. If you want something badly enough, you’ll figure it out. Same with her.”

I just stared at him. At this new, mature Nate. “It’s not that easy. In fact, it’s a veritable minefield.”

“So was the situation between me and Camille. When was the last time you let go with a woman?”

I scowled. “I never let go with women. Every woman I’ve ever been with has only wanted what I could provide.”

He just shot me a deadpan look. “Then maybe you need to start seeing different women, huh? Elise is hardly your usual type. This seems like the perfect setup to me.”

No. It was a non-issue. “I’m not sleeping with my assistant.”

“Whatever, man. It’s your call. All I’m saying is maybe you need to take a chance.”

I huffed out a long sigh. “I don’t take chances. I have no idea what will happen between us. If anything.”

“Well, Calypso Key seems to be a place where romance happens no matter what you intend.” He tipped his bottle up to finish his beer.

“Anyway, I should get going. I’m just going to point out that Camille and I also arrived at this resort as friends and left as a couple. So don’t act like it’s impossible.”

I was going to answer that it was impossible, but the words wouldn’t come out. “We’ll see, I guess. Thanks for the talk.” I managed a weak smile, still processing what he’d said.

“Anytime, brother.”

He clapped me on the shoulder before heading out the door.

I heard voices as he and Camille said good night to Elise.

Only then did it occur to me that Nate and I had never discussed the Podium sale despite the women giving us privacy.

Because I couldn’t get Elise off my mind.

And now I needed to decide what came next.