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TWENTY ONE

Olivia

Noah doesn’t even work that day. I know that’s a big deal.

Especially with how long he spends on the phone with his sous chef.

By the time the call is done, he’s pacing the kitchen, running his hand through his hair until it’s wild.

Unable to do anything else, I go to him and wrap my arms around him.

I expect him to complain or push me away, but instead, he holds me close and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“I better go talk to Jack.” There’s a pause. He still hasn’t let me go. “Can I ask you for something else?”

“Of course.”

“Will you come with me? The last thing I need right now is to lose my temper, and I’ll have a better shot at that if you’re there. Don’t ask me to explain it cause I can’t, but that’s the truth.”

My belly is alive with little flutters, but I just give him a squeeze. “I’d be happy to help.”

We drive over to the Inlet Views, which is a cute little motel on the inlet right near the jetty.

It sits almost on the water and has the most amazing views.

Noah’s restaurant, The Snapper, is on the ground level of the building.

There’s an office as well at the front, and I follow him inside, smiling at the little bell on the door that tinkles as we enter and the little welcome sign hung on the wall.

Noah’s brother Jack is behind a tall counter, typing something into a computer.

He looks up as we come in and his brows lift into an expression of surprise.

Jack is a little taller than Noah and sports a short beard.

His look is more traditional than Noah’s, whose piercings make him look a little alternative.

Jack wears a collared shirt and brown chinos but no tie.

It’s a smart casual look that suits him.

“Noah! Look, this isn’t a great day to argue. Maybe we can talk another time.”

Noah sighs. “I’m not here to argue with you.”

“You’re not?”

There’s a pause, and I hesitate, not sure whether to do anything or hang back. Noah asked me to be here after all, but I feel like such an interloper.

“Hi,” I give Jack a small wave, feeling awkward as hell.

Noah clears his throat. “I’m not. Look, I don't think I introduced you to my friend the other day. This is Olivia.” He turns to me and ushers me forward. “She’s here to make sure I don’t start an argument. And I’m here to help.”

Jack blinks. “Wow.” Then his face breaks into a smile and he leans across the counter to shake my hand. “Olivia. So nice to meet you and thank you. I’m not going to ask any questions cause I don’t want to start anything, but welcome.”

I smile. “Thanks.”

“I spoke to Mum,” Noah says.

Jack’s face falls. “You OK?”

Noah looks down at his shoes. “Yeah. You?”

“I will be. I’m just under the pump here, you know?”

“Well tell us what we can do. I know Mum said you could use some help.”

Turns out there are two rooms that need cleaning right away as new guests are arriving today and called to ask if they could check in early. There is an order of linen being delivered at ten and a contractor coming to do a routine fire alarm check.

Noah nods. “Leave the cleaning to me. You take care of the front of house stuff. You’re better at it.”

“You sure?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll help!” They both turn to me.

“You don’t have to do that!”

“Come on, I’m not going to stand around and watch you clean!”

We collect the cleaning equipment and make our way to rooms four and five on the top floor.

These are the biggest suites with two and three bedrooms, and they have the best views.

As Noah opens the door to the first suite, I follow him in and walk straight to the sliding doors which look out over the balcony.

The windows overlook the inlet, and the whole room is set up to take advantage of the view and the beautiful sunlight flooding inside. “Wow. This is nice.”

“It’s pretty great, isn’t it?”

With two of us working on it, the cleaning doesn’t take long. We have that room spotless and turned down in half an hour, and we’re ready to move on to the next.

I’m feeling pretty good until Noah opens the door to room five and we see the state it’s been left in.

Noah lets out a low curse, and my mouth falls open as I stare around the room.

Garbage is everywhere. Candy wrappers litter the floor and couch.

Bottles and cans and dirty plates have been left scattered around.

Even some of the couch cushions have been left on the floor.

In the bedrooms wet towels and bedding are everywhere, and there’s even a few used condoms in the toilet.

“God, some people are animals.” He shakes his head.

Noah pushes me out of the bathroom and refuses to let me help clean the worst of it, so I pack the dishwasher and take out the trash.

Something is worrying at me, but I don’t fully realize what it is until I stop for a glass of water.

My belly is sore and crampy. No surprise really. I must be due for my period.

Actually, I think I’m overdue. I certainly haven’t had it since I’ve been in Kraken Cove.

I’m thinking back, trying to calculate just how long it’s been, when Noah comes out of the bedroom with a bag of trash and a disgusted look on his face.

“Fuck me. Remind me never to quit being a chef. There’s no way I’d do this shit every day.

” He dumps the trash in the cleaning cart and together we make up the beds and straighten everything out.

I excuse myself to visit the restroom, but when I do, there’s no blood. I guess maybe I’ll get a surprise later today. I make a mental note to get some sanitary products and dismiss it as a later problem.

When we go back downstairs, Jack is dealing with the contractor and the phone is ringing. Noah answers the phone, greets guests, and deals with the delivery of linen.

Jack comes back to the front desk just after Noah steps out to pack the last of the linen away in the storage closet.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” I stand from the office chair behind the front desk and offer it to him.

He shakes his head with a smile then looks around for Noah. “Hey, I know I said I wasn’t going to ask questions, but I’ve gotta know. Is this—are you and Noah…?” He trails off, but I know what he’s asking.

I flush. “Um, we’re just friends. I guess I can see why you’re asking, but honestly, that’s it. I’m heading back to the States soon anyway.”

“Ah.” There’s a pause.

I’m about to say something else, but just then Noah returns and we both look around guiltily.

Noah pauses in the doorway and looks between me and Jack. “Was he being a jerk?”

“No! Not at all. I was just telling him I’ll have to head home soon. I’m not looking forward to that long flight.” My distraction seems to work.

Noah grunts and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Anything else that needs doing around here?”

“No. You guys have been great. I don’t know what I would have done without your help. The usual cleaner called in sick today, and I was staring down the barrel of a mess of a day. If I didn’t mention it already, I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it.” Noah puts an arm around my shoulders. “Come on Olivia.”

We wave to Jack and head out the door and back to his bike.

“What do you want to do the rest of the day? Your choice. Anything you want. I owe you.”

I smile. “Oh I don’t mind. Honestly.”

Noah frowns. “Come on, anything. Let me take you somewhere nice. Is there something you haven’t seen around here?”

I shrug. “It’s just nice to spend time with you. I guess I won’t get to do that forever.”

He scowls and opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something before shaking it off. Reaching for the spare helmet, he fits it over my head. “Let me take you to the best beach, then. I reckon we’d have it to ourselves this afternoon and I could use a swim.”