Resort to Love

by Priscilla Oliveras

  Until he’d told her about his father’s demand he put a ring on Melanie’s finger—a smart business move for both their families. Until Sofía hadn’t asked him not to do it.

  That’s when he’d finally understood that her “no-strings-attached” edict wasn’t merely something she flippantly tossed around. She meant it. The part of herself he’d felt she held back from him for some reason would always be a roadblock between them.

  His gaze slid past her shoulder to take in Paradise Key Resort, the once-flourishing property now worn and dilapidated. Tired-looking.

  Kind of how he felt lately. Questioning the decisions he’d made in trying to please his father. Keeping the peace like his mom in her delicate nature preferred.

  The businessman inside him recognized the property’s state of disrepair as good news. It would drive the price lower. Make his offer to take the blighted property off the city’s hands to bring it back to its old glory an even sweeter deal for the city commissioners. It’d be a bid they couldn’t refuse.

  He needed this to go smoothly if he wanted his dad off his back.

  More importantly, it would help him get his head back in the game.

  “She’s not the same, is she?” he said.

  Sofía’s brow creased in a moment of confusion before she angled her body to look back at the resort. “No, it’s kind of sad. Though inevitable, I guess, after the owners bailed on her.”

  “We had some great times there, didn’t we?”

  The words slipped out before he could stop them. Damned memory lane and the potholes he couldn’t manage to swerve around, even in his mind.

  Sofía’s chest rose and fell on a heavy sigh. She ducked her head, her curtain of black hair draping to shield her face.

  The urge to reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear, cup her cheek, lean in for a kiss, was stronger than his need to breathe. But he didn’t have the right to do that anymore.

  She’d taken that away from him when she’d asked him not to contact her again.

  Right after his engagement with Melanie had hit the business news ticker.

  “Yeah, we did, but—” With her trademark hair toss, Sofía straightened to stare back at him. Determination sparked in the golden hazel depths of her eyes. “But that’s in the past. And it does no good to go there. Not for me anyway.”

  “Always looking ahead, aren’t you? Eyes on the prize,” he answered.

  When it came to her career, she’d been laser-focused since they’d started college—him at Harvard, her at the University of Florida. Their first spring break, she’d planned to spend the week working on summer internship applications. He’d had to practically drag her to Daytona Beach for a few days of fun together.

  “That’s me. No rest for the weary,” she countered.

  The heavy note in her voice drew Nate’s attention away from the property’s for-sale sign.

  Several cars made their slow drive past them, probably tourists cruising the main drag, peering in the windows at the wares and offerings in the tiny shops and businesses. The chime of a biker’s bell tinkled a greeting, and the rider rolled by them.

  But Nate’s focus stayed on Sofía and the faint circles shadowing the skin under her expressive eyes.

  Despite the “back-off” vibe her stiff posture exuded, he knew her well enough to tell that something was wrong. If there was one thing he’d never been able to ignore when it came to Sofía Vargas, it was his desire to always look out for her. Put her needs before his. Even if that need was a distance he didn’t want.

  “Are you doing okay?” He placed a comforting hand on her forearm. “You want my help with—”

  “No! I’m good.” She took a hasty step back, and Nate let his hand fall at his side. “Look, I gotta go. I’m meeting the girls at Scallywags in a few. Good luck in Sarasota.”

  She slipped past him, ready to walk out of his life. Again.

  “Hey,” he called.

  She turned around, one eyebrow arched in question.

  “Tell Evie, Lauren, Jenna, and Lily I said hello,” Nate offered. “I hope they’re doing well.”

  A pained expression passed over Sofía’s face. Her lips opened and closed as if she struggled for words. When she finally spoke, her voice was a husky whisper. “Thanks, I-I’ll pass that along.”

  He watched her walk away, her shapely legs eating the distance between her and the friends who were more like family to her. For those two summers he and Sofía had shared here, he’d been a part of the Fabulous Five-some’s insider group. Beachside picnics, bike rides, and sand volleyball games.

  “Nate. Hey, Nate!” Tyson Braddock’s call tugged Nate away from his remember-whens.

  Across the street, Braddock stood in front of the JavaStop, right arm raised in greeting. Dressed in khaki slacks and a short-sleeved Oxford, with a pair of polished penny loafers, the guy hadn’t changed much since they’d been at Harvard together. Based on the cheek-splitting grin on his face, Braddock appeared just as eager to get on Nate’s good side, still determined to run with the “in” crowd.

  Nate flicked one last glance in Sofía’s direction. By now, she’d followed the curve onto Dock Street, the flash of her light purple sundress barely visible in the distance.

  With a shake of his head, Nate turned back to the JavaStop and the business at hand.

  If all went well, he’d close this deal quickly and be on his way.

  Thoughts of Sofía Vargas and what could have been finally relegated to the past.

  Reaching Braddock, Nate held out his hand in greeting. “Thanks for meeting me this afternoon. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  The worried frown creasing Braddock’s brow clued Nate in that the situation might not be as simple as he’d thought. The commissioner’s next words confirmed it. “Actually, there’s been a development since we spoke earlier this week. Looks like there’s another party interested in bidding on the property, but I haven’t gotten all the details yet.”

  Chapter Two

  “So, are you going to tell me what’s got you simmering like a pressure cooker ready to blow, or am I going to have to pry it out of you?”

  Sofía eyed Evie over the rim of her glass as she sipped her Don Q rum and Diet Coke.

  Evie tucked her chin, her inquisitive blue eyes boring into Sofía. Unfortunately, Sofía knew that look. It was the same one her friend expertly wielded on the set of her talk show in Philly, especially when interviewing someone with a secret to hide.

  Like Sofía did right now.

  They’d been at Scallywags for about twenty minutes, and Lauren had excused herself to run to the bathroom near the entrance. That left Sofía and Evie to hold down their table while they waited for Jenna and her mystery boyfriend to arrive.

  Stalling for time, Sofía jiggled the ice in her glass as she set it back on the scarred wooden table.

  Evie raised both brows, lines creasing her normally smooth forehead. Her “I-mean-business” expression in full force.

  Chickening out under the blatant stare down, Sofía slid her gaze around the bar. It was a Wednesday evening in April, so the place was pretty empty. Old man Nelson Dowler sat on a stool chatting with the friendly bartender Delilah, drowning his sorrows, as usual. Thankfully, he was a friendly drinker who never caused trouble.

  A group of college kids filled two tables along the left side of the room, and an older couple took up a table for two in front of the wall of windows overlooking the ocean. Outside, dusk painted a kaleidoscope of purples, burnt oranges, and reds across the sky.

  “Sooner or later, you’re going to give in and ’fess up. You know that, right?” Evie pressed.

  Yeah, she did.

  But for now, with her insides still quaking, her heart stupidly fluttering at the sight of Nate, Sofía didn’t want to talk about it. Couldn’t.

  Not without the fear of getting all teary, and she’d cried enough this weekend already. If she shed any more tears, it was dear sweet Lily who deserv
ed them, not the man who hadn’t been strong enough to stand up for himself. For them.

  A man who hadn’t wanted her enough to do so.

  The door to the ladies’ room swung open, and Lauren walked out. She smiled and waved, the cavalry coming back to save Sofía from spilling her guts in the middle of the town watering hole, though Lauren had no idea.

  Sofía released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, only to suck it back in with a gasp when Nate walked into Scallywags.

  For a few seconds, it was like someone had snapped their fingers to make everyone freeze.

  Standing in the entry near him, Lauren gaped at Nate, her pink lips open in an “Oh” of surprise.

  “No freaking way,” Evie muttered, slamming her gin and tonic down with a thud.

  Ever the marketing and publicity pro capable of sizing up a situation and expertly switching into damage control mode, Lauren quickly recovered. She sent Nate an icy “back-off” glare before making a fast bee-line toward the girls’ table in the back left corner.

  “Where and when did you run into him before you got here?” Evie asked. “And don’t bother denying you’ve already spoken to him. I could tell the moment you arrived that something was off.”

  “What the hell is Nate Hamilton doing in Paradise Key?” Lauren stage whispered as soon as she reached their table.

  She fell into the chair next to Sofía, who couldn’t resist tracking Nate to see his reaction to Lauren’s cold shoulder.

  With nothing but a chin jut of greeting in her general direction, Nate strolled over to an empty bar stool.

  “It doesn’t matter why he’s here. What matters is that he stays away from Sof. And you...” Evie reached her arm out toward Sofía, then tapped the table top between them with her pointer finger. “You’re better off without him. Right?”

  “God yes, she’s better off,” Lauren answered for her, punctuating her proclamation with a scoff. “He’s always been a player. More interested in good times and spending his daddy’s money. You deserve better, Sof.”

  Yes, she did.

  Only, the Nate she’d known was more than Lauren’s description of him. Sure, the fun-loving rich kid antics of his youth were what most people remembered, but she’d been privy to so much more. His keen business mind, his disappointment when his father discounted his efforts, and his fiercely protective streak when it came to those in his inner circle. For a while there, she’d thought that maybe, one day...

  Sofía shook her head, refusing to go there.

  Foolish dreams she’d deluded herself into imagining. Though at least she’d only done so in the dark of night when it was just her and her thoughts.

  “Come on, spill it,” Evie urged.

  “I ran into him in front of the JavaStop on my way over here,” Sofía finally admitted. “Actually, across the street in front of the resort.”

  “And?” Evie pressed when she didn’t continue.

  Sofía traced a drop of condensation down the side of her glass, forcing the excited jitters to quiet.

  And he’d looked heart-stompingly gorgeous with those chiseled cheekbones and strong jaw her Tía Mili used to say belonged on a telenovela actor. He’d also seemed tired. Dark circles under his green eyes. There’d been a strange mix of melancholy and anger around him. Though what he had to be angry about when it came to her, she had no idea.

  Nor did she care to ask.

  They were ancient history as far as she was concerned.

  “And he said he was killing time before heading to Sarasota for business.” Sofía took a long drink of her rum and Diet Coke.

  “Hmph, well, he can kill time in some other town. Not ours.” Lauren raised her glass to clink with Evie.

  The door opened again, drawing their attention. This time a pair of welcomed guests entered, greeted with excited squeals from Sofía, Evie, and Lauren.

  Jenna grinned as soon as she caught sight of them. She waved one hand, the other clasped with that of a tall, shaggy-haired guy who had a definite surfer vibe going on.

  Evie jumped out of her seat, running to throw her arms around Jenna. Then she hooked arms with Jenna and the boyfriend they’d all been anxious to meet, ushering the pair to their table.

  Once again that inquisitive look sparkled in Evie’s blue eyes. A spurt of empathy wormed its way through Sofía’s chest, followed closely by relief that she was off the interview hot seat. For now, at least.

  Nate watched Sofía, her girlfriends, and some guy he didn’t know chatting at the round-top table. Occasionally, there was laughter. Once or twice, he caught one of the girls swiping away a tear.

  He shifted on his bar stool, nursing a glass of Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon, itching to go over and offer his condolences.

  God, he felt like a complete jerk. Not that he should have been expected to know about Lily’s accident. Sure, at one time, Sofía would have called him to talk about it. Not anymore, though.

  Tyson Braddock had seen him talking with Sofía earlier, and assumed she’d told Nate about the funeral services that had taken place this past weekend.

  Nate took a sip of his drink, focusing on the slow burn trickling down his throat. As crappy as things might have been lately, at least he was here. It was hard to grasp the idea that one of Sofía’s Fabulous Five-some was actually gone. Those girls were her sisters, by choice if not by blood. Losing one had to have hit Sofía hard.

  Family meant everything to her. It was why she’d been so determined to graduate from college, making her parents proud as she represented the first in their family to earn a degree.

  It was also why she’d balked every time Nate had intentionally done something to stick it to his father during their summers working at the resort in high school. She used to lecture him on the importance of familia.

  Funny though, by the end of their first year of college, she’d stopped harping on him about finding a way to make peace with his old man. As if somehow, she’d realized peaceful wasn’t an adjective anyone would use with Nathan Patrick Hamilton, II.

  Footsteps approached, and Nate glanced up to find Evie Barclay sauntering over. With her lips pursed in a haughty expression, he knew she wasn’t coming over for a social call. Years ago, Nate’s father and Evie’s had been golfing buddies when the two were in Florida.

  “Evie,” he greeted, saluting her with his tumbler. “How’s your dad doing?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Haven’t talked to him in ages,” she answered. “Which is what Sofía needs to continue saying about you.”

  “I’m sure Sofía can speak for herself.”

  “We both know she can. But I’m telling you to stay away. She’s got something good going now, and I won’t let you screw that up because you wanna fool around.”

  “Still playing hard ball, aren’t you?” Nate shot back. Ridiculous anger simmered in his belly. Of course Sofía had moved on and found someone else. Why wouldn’t she?

  Evie glanced over her shoulder at their table.

  Nate followed her gaze to find Sofía frowning in their direction.

  “Look,” Evie said, turning to face him again. She combed a hand through her blonde waves, then fisted it on her hip. “You and I both grew up with crappy fathers who think throwing money and their weight around gets them what they want. Sofía doesn’t operate like that. She’s worked hard for what she has, and she doesn’t deserve to be played. By anyone. I don’t know why you’re really in Paradise Key, but whatever it is, wrap it up fast and move on.”

  “That’s the plan,” Nate answered.

  “Good. Nice chatting with you.” Before he could say anything else, Evie spun on her sandaled feet, heading for the ladies’ room.

  Nate downed the rest of his whiskey, dug a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet, then dropped it on the bar top. So much for going over to offer his condolences. None of those ladies wanted to hear it from him. He wasn’t their friend. Not really even Evie’s, despite their old family tie.

&
nbsp; He shouldn’t want to comfort Sofía, especially since she was the one who’d cut him loose.

  Still, he couldn’t resist one last glance in her direction.

  Head angled to the side, exposing the smooth column of her throat, she listened intently to whatever story Jenna and the surfer guy she’d walked in with were telling the rest of the girls. Sofía’s almond-shaped eyes crinkled with pleasure, her full lips tilting up in a gentle smile.

  As if she felt his gaze on her, she shifted, looking over her shoulder at him. Her mouth thinned, the beauty mark above the right corner drawing his attention while the sparkle faded from her eyes.

  The guarded expression blanketing her classic features twisted his insides. Reminded him of the distance she’d chosen to put between them. And the pain he’d tried to mask by burying himself in work and proving himself to his father.

  Without another word, Nate turned to leave. He wasn’t here for a reunion, and he didn’t need any distractions.

  Tomorrow he was meeting with the vice chair of the Local Planning Agency to tour the resort. Supposedly the other interested party would be there as well.

  It’d be the perfect opportunity to size up his competition. Then he’d get busy figuring out the best way to beat them.

  Chapter Three

  “Adios, Tía Mili, I’ll see you later today,” Sofía called to her aunt midmorning on Friday.

  “Wait! ¿Comiste algo, nena?” Tía Milagros hurried out from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a blue towel.

  “Si, I ate something while you were in the shower.”

  Tía Milagros shot her the arched brow “don’t-try-to-pull-a-fast-one-on-me” stare that mothers the world over managed to master. Even though Tía Mili hadn’t raised kids of her own, she’d been Sofía’s de facto parent every summer from the age of ten through high school.

  Hand on the doorknob, Sofía paused, barely holding back a beleaguered sigh. It didn’t matter that she was thirty and not thirteen; she’d always be a young girl in her tía’s eyes. And respect for familia had been ingrained in Sofía since baptism.