4
Brooke knew it was only a matter of time before she bumped into Gareth. She couldn’t believe he stood her up. It made no sense since he was the one who kept asking her. Was it some kind of game to him? If so, she was done with it. Next time he asked her, even for a glass of water, she was going to let him know where he could get it himself.
Who was she fooling? No matter what, he was a guest at the resort, and she’d never be intentionally rude. Not even to someone who deserved it. She just wished it didn’t bother her. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why it did. Many men had asked her out since she started working there. Each time she turned them down. It was really that simple. So why didn’t she just keep doing the same with Gareth? If she had, she wouldn’t be left feeling . . . stupid.
Janet wasn’t the last person she wanted to see, but close to it right now.
“How was dinner last night?”
She smiled and said, “Uneventful.”
“Really? I looked at his photo and that was the last thing I thought you’d say. I was actually questioning my judgment letting you go to dinner with him. So he’s handsome but boring?” Janet asked.
She shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. He stood me up.”
Janet’s eyes widened. “You’re joking, right?” Brooke shook her head. “That’s horrible. Why would someone do that?”
“Because they’re arrogant, and it was fun to see the look on my face when I said yes?” Last night was pretty much spent tossing and turning and that was the only explanation she could come up with.
Janet reached out and patted her on the arm. “I’m sorry. I guess you were looking forward to this date.”
“It wasn’t a date. It was—”
“Oh give me a break. No one has that look on their face when work cancels out on you. It’s okay. I get it. He looked charming and those type of men are hard to resist.”
“Funny, I don’t see you having an issue,” Brooke stated.
Janet laughed. “That’s because I already have the sexiest, most charming, and best of all, sweetest man there ever was.”
Brooke hadn’t actually spoken to Janet’s husband, Vinny, but she did rave about him all the time. It was nice to see someone happy and in love. “We can’t all be as lucky as you are.”
“Funny. I wasn’t looking for love when I met Vinny. Actually I had just started this job, and I was so worried about being able to keep it.”
“And he worked here?” Brooke asked.
“No, not at the same time I did. He had been hired to help build it. But once that was over, he decided he liked Tabiq and made it his home. Guess it’s our home now.”
“I can’t believe you actually moved here permanently. Don’t you miss the States?” Brooke loved being on the resort, but this wasn’t long-term for her. Actually she only had about two months left on this job before it was time to head back home. That was going to be bittersweet. She missed her parents and her friends, but she loved being on a new adventure. There’ll be more.
“One thing about working for the Hendersons, you can hop a flight with them anytime. And they travel so frequently, I can see my parents every month. If I want to, that is.” Janet gave Brooke a playful wink.
“I know. I miss being home, but after a week of being there, I’ll be going crazy.”
Janet looked at her and asked, “Have you ever considered taking on a permanent position here?”
She thought Janet was joking at first, but her expression was serious. Beautiful beaches and endless sunshine. It was heavenly, but something was missing. “I don’t think it’s for me. You have Vinny. I’d be . . . alone. It’s not like we can go out and meet a local man, and policy has it that we can’t date a guest. I’m not out to get hitched, but I don’t want to be an old spinster either.”
Janet laughed. “I think you have a few years before that happens,” she teased.
“At least you didn’t say months,” Brooke chuckled.
Janet said, “I’m glad you’re in a better mood. I was contemplating hunting Gareth Lawson down and giving him a piece of my mind.”
“Please don’t. It would only make things awkward.”
“Not for me. And it shouldn’t for you either. Mr. Lawson, on the other hand, should feel horrible.”
“I’m sure something came up and it just slipped his mind.” That doesn’t make it hurt any less. It wasn’t the fact he stood her up, but it made her feel . . . insignificant. That she wasn’t worth remembering.