YOLO_You Only Live Once

by Sue Seabury

  “Ramsey says you’re not getting along.”

  “We’re getting along fine. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “Still, I’ve had an offer.”

  Hugo gripped the edge of the shelving. “An offer?”

  “Nemesio Ortíz is looking to expand into hospitality.”

  “Is he.” Hugo pressed his thumb into the sharp metal edge. A perfect bead of blood formed. He sucked it.

  “I like you Hugo, but between your low sales and Ramsey complaining, I’m tempted to sell.”

  “Thank you for giving me the warning. I’ll do what I can to improve sales, and talk to Ramsey about how we can work better together.”

  “You have until the end of the month to show me some real improvement.” Mr. Alvarez clicked off. Hugo rested his head against the cold, hard shelves.

  “Halloo! Anybody home?” By the sound of it, the group he had to upsell had arrived.

  No rest for the weary.

  15

  “We should ask him if he has a map of this place,” one of the four blondes stage-whispered. “’Cuz I’m afraid I might get lost in his eyes.”

  The other three tittered. Hugo kept his professional smile carefully in place and pretended to be busy with the credit card machine.

  “I’m gonna ask him to hold this” — Blonde #2 held out a hand — “While I go for a walk.”

  More giggles. Did they really think he couldn’t hear them? His qualms about selling them unasked-for services were rapidly diminishing.

  Where was Ramsey? He should have to shoulder his fair share of this nonsense. Except Ramsey usually managed to find a way to add to Hugo’s load.

  “I forgot my number,” another one simpered. “Can I have yours?”

  Hugo’s first clue that Ramsey was near were the “Ohs” and “Ahs” from this new group. “Excuse us a moment, ladies. Ramsey, a word please.”

  Ramsey and the four women exchanged lingering glances as he walked into the office.

  “What’s up, yo?”

  Hugo shut the door. “This group seems a bit, ehem, flirty. I want you to promise you won’t suggest any extracurricular activities, beyond horseback riding and the like.”

  “Should I offer ‘em bare back lessons?” Ramsey collapsed against the wall, snickering. Probably high. Just what he needed right now.

  Hugo shut his eyes. “Also, I’d like to sit down with you when we have a free moment and discuss how we can work better together. I want this resort to be a success, so—”

  “Daddy-o gave you a ring, huh? Sorry, man. I was jus’ blowing off some steam to Mama. I guess she blabbed to him. I know you like this place, but you could make enough to live on doing surf lessons and stuff, you know?”

  He probably could, but that wasn’t the point. He’d thrown away his surfing career. His catamaran business had failed. If Mr. Alvarez sold this hotel out from under him, that would make him a three-time failure.

  “Listen, I’m happy to handle all the boring work, just please, keep it legal.”

  “It’s all legal somewhere.” Ramsey winked. His eyes were glazed, the pupils pinpoints. Definitely high.

  “But we’ll stick with the local definition of legality,” Hugo said in a breezy, we’re-on-the-same-side tone of voice. “I’m almost done checking this group in. I would appreciate it if you’d show them to their rooms.”

  Ramsey made his pecs dance a few times, then opened the office door. “Whoa, Hugo, I think I might need CPR over here! Surrounded by all this beauty, I’m feeling a little short of breath!”

  Hugo kept his eyes glued to the paperwork and told himself to be grateful to Ramsey for redirecting the ladies’ lascivious attentions onto himself, but it didn’t seem fair he had to suck up to a drugged sleazeball.

  And here he had just turned down Stan and Liam’s request for gambling. That would rake in the bucks. But that wasn’t the kind of atmosphere he wanted for his resort. Maybe he didn’t deserve this place. The things his guests were asking for were things he didn’t want to provide.

  Except for Katherine. Her gentle suggestions resonated more with him than all the strong-arm tactics about the dreadful poker plan. Stan had been to the resort, what? Six times at least. Katherine had only been here for a day and a half and she already understood better than anyone else.

  If only he had the money to buy out Mr. Alvarez.

  There were twelve days left in October.

  * * * *

  A not-especially-happy screech pierced the air. Kat picked up her pace.

  The screech turned out to be from a fresh source: the new group of four had arrived. Kat listened a few moments from behind a tree. It was worse than she thought. The new women were yelling about refunds. Worse, they were attractive, in a carefully manicured, personal-trainer-three-times-a-week kind of way.

  She could have slipped by the dining area unnoticed, but when she saw Hugo’s pained expression and heard the word “hurricane” repeated, she couldn’t sneak away like a thief.

  Hugo caught her eye before she made it to the crowd. She mouthed the wordSorry but his distressed expression didn’t tell her if he’d understood.

  “Please, if you will all calm down,” he said. “I’ll explain what is going on with the storm watch.”

  He shouldn’t have mentioned the word “storm.” The hullabaloo picked up again. At least Ramsey had the sense to mix drinks. Without being asked, Kat handed them out. Ramsey gave her a wink, which to her meant he didn’t know she was to blame for this disaster.

  She offered one to Hugo, but he waved it away with a confused glance, as if to sayWhy areyouservingme?

  Kat backed out of the main circle and swigged. It was strong.Really strong. She’d be looped if she drank even half. But the hangover-makers had an overall positive effect: they refreshed while keeping everyone’s mouth busy doing something besides complaining.

  She looked at Ramsey. He had a huge grin on his face and held up his own glass in toast. She shook her head, took one final sip, and set her glass aside.

  Hugo held up his hands. It was a restraining, rather than surrendering, motion. “It is hundreds of miles away, not at all on course to hit us, so if you please.”

  “But can you guarantee it?”

  And here Kat thought Queenie had the screechiest voice in the world. This new blonde took the lead.

  “I can’t guarantee anything when it comes to weather,” Hugo said. “But I promise you, I am checking the updates hourly and will let you know if there are any changes in the forecast.”

  “I’ve got this great app on my phone,” Pete said.

  “What kind of phone?” Screechy demanded.

  Pete was happy to inform her about his phone details and his custom case.

  Queenie appeared around the corner that led to the ladies room, fluffed her hair, and cornered Hugo. “So you do do room service in case of a storm.”

  It wasn’t a question. Kat felt protective and guilty again.

  “Yes.”

  “Go ahead and sign me up for a pallet of champagne so you don’t have to keep getting wet.”

  “Your order is noted.”

  “How’s that hair of yours in the rain? Like a sponge or does it roll off like a duck?” Queenie wrapped one of Hugo’s curls around her purple fingernail and tugged.

  Kat picked up her drink and took a long slug to stop herself from slapping Queenie’s hand away.

  The alcohol was clearly working on everyone. The topic of conversation turned to boat rentals and snorkeling expeditions. Kat did not remind them that if they were worried about storms, the water was the last place they should be.

  “I’ll call,” Ramsey said. “How big a boat you want?”

  The handsome Pied Piper led the group to the reception area.

  Kat hid behind the edge of the bar, but no one seemed to notice she wasn’t following. Once the yakking faded into the distance, she stepped out. “I’m sorry.”

  Hugo started. “Oh. There you are.”
/>
  Not the friendliest greeting. She deserved it.

  “I can’t apologize enough—”

  Hugo waved a massive hand. “It was Ramsey who poured those ridiculous drinks.” He paced around, muttering, “They’re so worried about a hurricane that’s eight hundred miles away, but not about drowning because they’re drunk.Dios mio! Ramsey, what are you thinking?”

  It occurred to Kat that Hugo might not be aware she was responsible for their knowing about the storm. “How did you two end up partners?”

  Hugo looked the way the crowd had gone as if it might contain the answer. “His father’s an important man on the island. He owns many businesses, including several hotels.”

  Kat sat at the table nearest him. “Why doesn’t Ramsey work for one of those?”

  “He did. Got kicked out of pretty much all of ’em. And almost landed in jail for dealing.” Hugo’s lips clamped shut.

  Too late. “Drugs?”

  He bit his lip. “I think I told you, I lost a lot of money when my catamaran sank. I had worked for his father and approached him about a loan to buy this place. He made Ramsey part of the deal. I thought it wouldn’t be too bad. I mean, he’s friendly. Easy-going. A littletoo easy-going. If he gets my guests killed . . .” He sank into a chair opposite her and flung his head back to face the ceiling. “And I can’t go with them. I need to get everything in working order here in case the storm does turn.”

  “Such as?”

  “Oh, extra gas for the generator, a roof check, that sort of thing.”

  “How about I go with them, as a sort of chaperone?” She extended her hand, but he was too far away.

  “Would you?” He straightened and reached out. Their hands bumped. His fingers wrapped around hers briefly, then he startled and let go.

  “Sure.” It was the least she could do after being the cause of the hurricane stress. She left that bit off.

  “But, no. I can’t ask you to do that. You want to be alone.”

  “I really don’t mind. The cave trip this morning was . . . informative. And like you said, there’s new people to talk to. They might be interesting.” She forced her lips into a smile as she tried not to feel jealous of the new ladies’ expensive beauty. “I mean, I’m sure they are. At any rate, everyone has a story, right? I can survive one boat outing.” Kat pulled at her hair. “Not survive, ugh. I want to go. I want to see pretty fish. Do you think we’ll go out to that Roca del Mar you told me about?”

  Hugo’s gaze was just above her head. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

  “Did you lose your hair elastic?” he asked.

  “Oh, no. Just took it out. It was a little loose.”

  “I don’t ever seem to get it right with you, do I?”

  Kat swallowed hard. She should confess about the hurricane, but to bring it up now . . . “I really want to go on the boat. I’m not just saying that. And I’m used to keeping an eye on tippy people at work, although they’re not usually drunk.” She creased her eyebrows in mock consternation. “At least, theytell me it’s a balance problem. But maybe I need to check their breath next time.”

  Hugo laughed. “Tell Ramsey you are to go to Roca del Mar. He will agree, but if the others try to override you, tell him I said to go there. It is very generous of you to do this for me.” He murmured, “Why can’t I have a partner like you?”

  Her head felt light. “I’m sure it won’t be much work on my part. But if I do save any lives, I demand one free massage per person saved. Deal?” She stuck out her hand.

  “Deal.” Hugo took her hand, but instead of shaking, he kissed it.

  Kat was speechless. This wasn’t surprising: her heart was lodged in her throat.

  “You’d better go,” Hugo said.

  Their hands were still entwined. She was unable to make hers obey. He had to release first.

  Once the connection was broken, she could move. In a happy flutter, she hurried down to the pier.

  16

  “Ramsey! Wait for me!”

  Ramsey was using his extraordinary musculature to hoist a cooler onto the boat. “Glad you made it. Party’s not the same without you.” He winked.

  “Yeah, speaking of parties, that cooler isn’t filled with booze, is it?”

  “What, Hugo send you down to police?”

  Kat felt her face turn red. What this situation required was tact. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “I’m a little bit of a worrywart when it comes to drinking and swimming. Bad experience from my teen years.” Which wasn’t untrue. Back in high school, Josie had a little too much Boone’s Farm Strawberry and took a dare to jump topless into a lake. She’d suffered the nickname “Boobie Beaumont” until the next summer when another unsuspecting sophomore accepted the challenge.

  Ramsey’s face relaxed. He set down the cooler and flipped up the lid. “Mostly juice, water, soda, stuff like that. Just one teensy bottle of rum.” He pointed. It wasn’t small, but it wasn’t party-size either.

  Queenie’s screech pierced the air. It was followed by another one in a different voice. The second sounded a little forced, as did the “You are such a card! What did you say your name was again?”

  Great. Dueling screechers.

  “Thanks,” Kat said. “That makes me feel better. These are nice people, wouldn’t want them hurting themselves, right?”

  Ramsey nodded thoughtfully, as if the idea had never occurred to him.

  “Can we go to Roca del Mar?” She figured it was smarter to phrase it that way, rather than an order from Hugo.

  “Sure. That’s what I was thinking anyway.”

  “Great. Hugo says there’s pretty fish out there.”

  Ramsey’s blue eyes turned icy. He saw through her “request.”

  Another screech from the boat, this one less happy.

  “You’re the best!” Kat squeezed his biceps, then winked for good measure.

  It worked. Ramsey went back to his usual smiley self. Kat took note that he thrived on that kind of attention and headed up the gangplank to put out the next fire.

  The walking, talking propane tank met her in the doorway to the cabin.

  “Thank God you’re here! That woman’s a total nightmare!” Queenie’s talons wrapped around Kat’s arm and hauled her back out onto the deck. “While you were off gallivanting, you missed it when Miss Prissy Tight Ass practically yelled Hugo’s ear off about the storm,” she said. “As if anyone can do anything about weather. What the hell is she doing here in October if she’s worried about hurricanes?”

  Until Queenie mentioned Hugo, Kat just thought it was a case of sour grapes, but now she changed her mind. Hugo was a caring person who was doing his best to keep them all comfortable, safe, and happy. Queenie was right. Screechy PTA had no right to complain to Hugo about weather.

  Queenie’s grip was a bit uncomfortable. Kat freed herself and led Queenie to a seat further away from the doorway and said, “And now she’s out here in a boat, despite the forecast.”

  “Right?”

  “Which one is this again?” Kat asked. “Special Snowflake or Roots?”

  Queenie’s outraged frown curved into an evil grin. “SS. Perfect. ’Cuz she’s a total Nazi. Then Roots, Helmet Head and Tiny Tot all had to toss in their two cents.”

  Kat listened politely to the remainder of the rant which turned to how the new women were “hogging” the Cigarbellies.

  “The thing to do is kill them with kindness,” Kat said.

  “I’m with you on the ‘kill’ part.” Queenie cracked her knuckles.

  “Now, Queenie. I’m serious. Anyway, let’s back up. I thought you were only here to have fun.”

  “How’m I supposed to have fun with that witch ruining it?”

  “What do you want from Stan?”

  “For him to buy me stuff.”

  Despite her crudeness, Queenie’s honesty was touching. Kat also felt a pang of jealousy. Even if Queenie’s wants couldn’t have been more different from her own, she was l
ucky to be so sure. Kat said, “There’s nothing to buy on this trip, so you can let that go for now.”

  “Aw, man. Not even a drink? But Ramsey promised!”

  “Well, there’s probably some rum, but, anyway, it’s a bad idea to get drunk if you’re going swimming. Don’t you want to enjoy the fish?”

  “I got my fish on the hook already, or had him.”

  So Queenie wasn’t being truthful about “just having fun.” New tactic. “Look, the way to entice him is to ignore him,” Kat said. “You know how men hate to be ignored.”

  “With that slut hanging all over him, he won’t notice.”

  “Queenie. If there’s one thing I have learned about you, it’s that you are impossible to ignore.”

  Queenie’s pout slowly transformed into a toothy grin. “You’re okay, you know that, Lady?” She bumped Kat’s hip, sending her sliding down the bench.

  “Thanks. So the game plan is, we stay sober so we can have clear heads and really see how things are going. SS probably just went after Stan because she saw you were into him. If you give up, she will too. But if she doesn’t, you flirt with Pete.”

  Queenie’s eyes went wide. “You don’t mind sharing?”

  One dance and people thought she and Pete were an item? “Be my guest.”

  Queenie put her suggestion right into action. Surprising. Pete was even more surprised.

  That intervention had to be worth at least a foot massage from Hugo.

  “Cathy, care to have a little preview of some of the fish we might see?” Pete held up his phone.

  “Sure!” Roots PTA stepped in front of Kat.

  Kat almost let her get away with it. But then Queenie rolled her eyes over the top of Pete’s head. Rudeness shouldn’t be rewarded. Kat walked around Rude Roots and leaned in. “I’d love to have a look. Thanks for offering, Pete.”

  Pete’s gape said he didn’t expect to have this kind of success with the ladies, but he clearly felt comfortable with technology and tapped confidently on his phone.