Resort to Love

by Priscilla Oliveras

  “Okay,” Nate murmured as he bent to grab his duffle strap and sling it over his shoulder. He unhooked his hanging bag from the doorknob, then straightened to face her. “I’ll see you in Paradise Key on Monday.”

  She nodded, unable to say anything around the grapefruit-sized lump of tears jamming her throat.

  “And Sof, if at any time you have doubts about me. About us. Remember this... I love you.”

  Before she could respond, he slipped through the door, closing it softly behind him.

  Seconds later, the floodgates opened on her tears.

  ¿Ay por qué? Why did life have to be so unfair?

  Nate finally gifted her with those three words she had always longed to hear—I love you.

  Only, they came days before his father and Hamilton, Inc. planned to try and crush her dreams. Again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sofía stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror at Tía Mili’s condo, listening to her tía’s lecture as it drifted down the hall from the kitchen.

  “Recuerda que tener mucho orgullo es un pecado, Sofía.”

  Yes, she remembered that having too much pride was a sin. But she also knew that not enough pride would get her trampled in the business world.

  “Are you ready?” Tía Mili called. “It is almost six o’clock and the meeting starts at six thirty, verdad?”

  “Sí, give me two minutes.”

  Bending closer to the rectangular mirror mounted on the wall above the shell-shaped sink, Sofía double checked her lipstick, then dabbed the edge of her finger underneath her bottom lashes to wipe away a little smudge of mascara.

  “This is it. You can do this,” she assured herself.

  “Yes, you can.” Tía Mili appeared in the doorway, her encouraging smile accessorizing her dark floral-patterned dress. It was her favorite, she’d said, and it would bring Sofía luck during the LPA meeting at town hall tonight.

  Sofía pressed her hand to her stomach, trying, but failing, to calm the battalion of army ants marching inside. Hopefully to a celebratory parade and not to the demise of her career dream.

  “You look beautiful.” Propping her shoulder against the doorframe, Tía Mili beamed at her. “Professional and approachable. Exactly like how you envision the resort. Vida and the others won’t be able to turn your idea away.”

  “Bueno, since the best I have is an ‘it’s under consideration’ from the bank in Key West, I won’t be surprised if the LPA says no.”

  “Then you do it Sal’s way. Better to own part of the resort than none at all, verdad?”

  Heaving an aggravated sigh over her inability to secure funding on her own, Sofía leaned her hip against the bathroom’s worn Formica counter. “Yes, that’s true. But I’m going to submit my original plan first, and keep the second one ready to hand them as back up if needed. Sal helped me pull it all together over the weekend.”

  “¡Ay, que terca eres!” Tía Mili said on a groan. She flicked the blue kitchen towel she held at Sofía, then spun away.

  “I thought you said being hardheaded was a good trait!” Sofía called out, chuckling at her tía’s grumble in response.

  Less than ten minutes later Tía Mili pulled her Ford sedan into an open parking space near town hall on Second Street. It was a quiet Monday evening with only a few cars cruising the road. Further down the sidewalk, a group of teens licked their ice cream cones in front of Delightful Scoops. It reminded her of similar treats shared with the girls. Of home and community.

  Sofía paused, soaking in the memories and the emotions they evoked, allowing them to infuse her with confidence and determination.

  The town and the commission had done a fabulous revitalization job the past few years. Jenna had mentioned how local businesses had chipped in, banding together with the LPA to replace older roofs with clay tiles, repair damaged stucco, and paint their building facades with eye-catching tropical colors. All with the idea of attracting family-friendly tourists to their sleepy little beach town.

  That was where Sofía’s plans for the resort came into play. She hoped the LPA would appreciate her vision and recognize her potential and commitment to their community. If only she had a definite yes from the bank, she’d feel a hell of a lot more confident.

  They neared the building when Sofía caught sight of Jenna and her boyfriend Zach, who had apparently patched things up after whatever had gone down last week when Sofía was in Key West. With Evie having returned to Philly, Sofía had met Jenna and Lauren for lunch at Deli 2389 earlier today. Jenna had shared all the details of what Zach had organized to win her back. The guy definitely knew how to break out a grand romantic gesture when needed. Good, because her dear friend deserved them.

  Jenna greeted Sofía with a tight hug and a passionate, “You’re going be great in there. And you look fabulous by the way.”

  Sofía fingered the tie at her waist. Like Tía Mili, she’d donned a favorite outfit for confidence. The short-sleeved wrap dress hit her at the knee, and its black material with tiny white squares made a professional yet feminine fashion statement. She had pulled her hair back in a sleek, low ponytail secured at her nape and her shoes...

  She glanced down at her sensible black heels, remembering them in Nate’s hands the afternoon they’d run into each other at the beach. When he’d surprised her by offering his business advice. That had been a week ago today. So much had happened between them since then. So much still left undecided.

  “Is he here?” Jenna asked.

  “Yeah, he texted me earlier. We’re supposed to meet up inside.” Sofía gestured toward the pastel peach stucco building that housed the town hall. “On the battle ground.”

  “Hush, do not think of it that way,” Tía Mili admonished. “Dios has a plan for you, nena, and I am confident that the resort fits into it.”

  In unison, Sofía and Tía Mili made a sign of the cross, pressing a kiss to their fingertips at the end as if they held a rosary’s crucifix in their hand.

  “There you go. It’s meant to be then. If there’s one thing you should know, Zach,” Jena said, bringing her boyfriend into their conversation. “It’s if you’re on Tía Mili’s prayer list, odds are good the Big Man is listening.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Zach answered, earning a smile of approval from Sofía’s tía.

  “I always felt your young man showed promise.”

  Jenna blushed at Tía Mili’s teasing. Zach grinned and put his arm around Jenna’s shoulder to hug her to him.

  Sofía chuckled, knowing her friend wasn’t usually comfortable with public displays of affection, happy to see Jenna leaning into his embrace. “Okay, as much as I’m enjoying the love fest here, I see Vida’s old truck parked across the street. We should get inside and let the Hunger Games begin.”

  “Enough with the negative talk, por favor!” Tía Mili smacked Sofía on the arm with her clutch purse. “¡Sé positiva!”

  “I am being positive. Positively sure Tyson Braddock intends to make this difficult for me.”

  “He’s like that with a lot of us. You’re in good company.” Zach held the door open for the rest of them to enter ahead of him. “I say, give him hell!”

  Inside the lobby, a mini palm tree replica greeted them. At the far end of the short tiled hall ahead, people mingled at the entrance to the main meeting room.

  “Lauren texted me. She’s already inside, saving us seats in your cheerleading section,” Jenna said, leading the way down the hall. “Sounds like more people showed up than usually do for a mid-month LPA meeting.”

  The nerves that had quieted in Sofía’s belly flared to life again, flitting about like a swarm of fireflies with electrical currents continuously zapping her system.

  A door on the left side of the hall opened, and Nate exited the men’s restroom. In camel chinos, a soft blue shirt under a navy single-breasted blazer, and having exchanged his usual Sperrys for a pair of cognac leather Oxford brogues, Nate could have easily walked off the pag
es of a GQ ad. The leather folio tucked under his left arm added the perfect touch.

  Who wouldn’t want to rely on someone with the Hamilton business reputation and charm to help Paradise Key continue their revitalization plans by resurrecting their beloved resort? Any positive vibes inside Sofía instantly wavered.

  Then Nate grinned, his green eyes lighting with pleasure.

  “We will wait for you inside, nena,” Tía Mili said as they approached him. “Hola Nathan, buena suerte.”

  “Gracias.” Nate brushed Tía Mili’s cheek with a kiss as he thanked her for her good-luck wishes.

  Jenna briefly introduced the two men. After a quick hug so she could offer Sofía a whispered, “You’re a rock star! He better be aware of that!” she took Sofía’s tote bag from her, then followed Zach and Tía Mili into the meeting room.

  “It’s good to see you,” Nate said as soon as they were alone.

  “You too.”

  “I hear Sal’s doing okay, still giving Vivi a hard time about those protein shakes, huh?”

  Sofía laughed, relieved that he asked about Sal rather than immediately getting down to business. Then again, he’d always known how to talk her off any ledge she may have wandered onto.

  “Uh, yeah, I don’t see him becoming a fan of those shakes any time soon.” They shared a companionable smile before Nate’s expression changed to a serious one.

  “Listen, can we talk for a sec?” He touched her elbow and stepped toward the lobby area, away from the people milling about the meeting room door. “I wanted to present something to you, a Plan C if you will. But I didn’t have everything squared away until a few minutes ago.”

  “What do you mean?” It was too late in the game to be pulling out a new playbook. Especially one she’d never seen before.

  “I spoke with—”

  The town hall’s front door swung open, and in strode the last person Sofía wanted to see here. Her gut clenched. Every negative thought Tía Mili had warned her to stop thinking instantly clanged alarm bells in her head.

  “Dad?” Nate said, his wide-eyed, scandalized expression letting her know he hadn’t expected his father to come strolling in either. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I’ll repeat my question, what the hell are you doing here?” Nate barked as soon as he’d shoved his father and gently nudged Sofía into an empty office located right off the town hall lobby.

  Based on the black-and-white industrial plastic nameplate on the scarred wooden desk along with the framed photo of a dark-haired man and a preteen girl, he’d picked the mayor’s office to invade. The man was already in the meeting room, so their privacy was probably secure. Nate dropped his folio on the desk top, then fisted his hands on his waist as he confronted his father.

  Sofía had yet to say anything. She remained near the door, the pinched look on her beautiful face telling him she wasn’t happy about being here.

  “Hamilton business is taking place at this meeting.” His father’s haughty demeanor was in fine form as he tugged methodically at the cuffs of his long sleeves with two fingers, then tilted his head back to peer down his nose at Nate.

  “No, that’s incorrect. We discussed this yesterday. After I sent you my report with the recommendation we drop this property and aggressively make a play for the one in Sarasota.”

  Nate heard Sofía’s murmured “What?” but he maintained eye contact with his dad. Determined to force his point. “The figures prove it’s a much better business move for the company.”

  His father dug his hands in the pockets of his black trousers, the picture of bored nonchalance. Behind him, on the far wall that faced the window overlooking 2nd Street, hung a framed aerial photograph of Paradise Key. If Nathan Hamilton, II, was asked to name just one local landmark or favorite spot, more than likely he’d draw a blank. Nate could come up with a few. Sofía, she knew them all, or at the very least, she knew the people who’d gladly show them to her.

  This place was her second home. To Nate’s father, it merely represented a potential financial gain.

  “Hamilton, Inc. will not be placing a bid on any property here in Paradise Key,” Nate ground out, reiterating the words he had already told his father.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Nate caught Sofía’s start of surprise, as if she hadn’t believed his previous statement. Damn it, he had wanted to share the news with her privately. Not like this.

  “I heard what you said yesterday,” his dad replied. “However, after speaking with Tyson Braddock myself, and learning who was leading the second bid for the Paradise Key Resort, well...”

  The condescending glance his father shot Sofía had Nate’s irritation boiling.

  “Let’s simply say I thought it wise that I head down. Ensure for myself that Hamilton, Inc.’s best interests were truly being pursued.”

  Sofía’s scoff at his father’s prickish words had the corner of Nate’s mouth twitching with a smirk. Unlike many who quavered when confronted with Nathan Hamilton, II’s imperious ego, Sofía glared back at him, arms defiantly crossed in front of her.

  “Sorry to negate your unwarranted disappointment, Dad, but contrary to your belief, I am fully capable of doing my job. Quite well, by the way.”

  “Yes, Nathan, I am aware of that. I am also aware of your...personal connection here.”

  Again with the condescension aimed at Sofía.

  She jutted her chin in a “kiss-my-ass” response.

  Witnessing her silent battle with his father caused a strange sensation tingling the back of Nate’s neck. Like a poison ivy itch warning him that he’d rubbed up against something unawares.

  “I’m thinking two properties instead of one might be more beneficial for the company,” his father announced, completely dismissing Nate’s in-depth report. “If a certain party opted not to bid here, we could take both.”

  “This certain party isn’t backing down.” Sofía’s voice was iron clad. Her expression stone-cold serious in a way Nate had never seen before.

  He stepped toward her, seeking to reassure her that he in no way agreed with the idea of her giving up. She deserved the resort. But his father’s next words to Sofía hit Nate like a sucker punch from out of nowhere.

  “I understand that in your youth, you had yet to see the value of listening to my advice and accepting my generous offer. Perhaps with maturity, you can view this one differently.”

  Sofía’s arms dropped to her sides on a shocked gasp. Her gaze flew to catch his, the mix of fear and regret in her hazel eyes confusing him.

  “What are you talking about?” Nate asked his father, quickly turning back to Sofía because he knew she’d give him a straight answer. “What’s he talking about, Sof?”

  Several slow heartbeats passed. Indecision creased her beautiful face, tightening his gut with apprehension.

  “Nate, I am so sorry,” she finally said, sorrow etching her raspy whisper. “I didn’t want to tell you.”

  “Tell me what?” He reached out to her, but Sofía stumbled back with a quick shake of her head.

  She pressed a hand to her chest, pain radiating from her like a palpable force. “This isn’t something I felt was my place to share. Not if it might cause a problem between you and your dad. Even if what he asked back then, what he’s suggesting now, is reprehensible to me.”

  On her last words, she straightened her shoulders. Pivoting on her heel, she leveled his father with a damn good impersonation of his own patronizing glare. “You underestimate me, Mr. Hamilton. Worse, you underestimate your own son. Nate’s a savvy businessman. And an even better person. You would benefit by taking the time to get to know him. And that—” She stabbed a pointer finger at Nate’s dad, magnificent in her outrage as she stood up for him. “That’s advice you can take to the bank.”

  His father’s nostrils flared on a deep inhale.

  Nate stood rooted in his spot like one of those Key West banyan trees buffeted by hurricane gale winds, struggling to stay uprigh
t.

  Sofía clasped his hands with hers. Her calm voice and the candor shining in her eyes quieted the uproar of anger and confusion whooshing in his ears.

  “I believe in you, Nate. And I believe in myself. So I’m going into the meeting now and what happens, will happen. We’ll figure it out. I’ll let them know you’ll be coming in shortly, okay?”

  He nodded, slowly coming to grips with this new revelation. Admiring her even more so because of it.

  She gave his hands a quick squeeze, then left the office without another word to his father.

  “Nathan—”

  “No!” Nate sliced a hand through the air to silence his dad. “It’s time for you to listen to me. Really listen.”

  Anger consumed him. He tamped it down, barely, scowling with outrage at his father. A man Nate thought he had seen stoop as low as he possibly could, until now.

  “What exactly did you ‘offer’ Sofía before. Tell me the truth!”

  His father closed his mouth on whatever half-baked response he’d been about to toss out, slowly nodding at Nate’s demand. “Fine. I simply let it be known that she could have all of her college expenses covered in exchange for leaving you alone. No longer distracting you from the family path.”

  Nate reared back as if his dad had slapped him.

  “For God’s sake, you brought up the idea of transferring to a state school here in Florida.” His dad jabbed an arm at the window and the lazy traffic idling by outside. “I couldn’t have you throwing away a Harvard education because of some summer fling.”

  What was he talking about? Nate pressed a hand to his forehead in disbelief as he began pacing the ten-foot office. He combed through his memories in search of whatever the hell conversation his father referred to.

  The old man painted the picture for him. “You came home after spring break your freshman year. You and your mother were chatting in the library, and you mentioned some fool-hardy plan to transfer.”

  His father’s replay had to be of a conversation he’d overhead. The only time Nate remembered ever discussing his collegiate life with his dad, it had dealt with Nate’s grades or his business classes. His father hadn’t cared about much else.