“I say you should take the afternoon off and do something fun. Maybe spend some time on the beach, or go parasailing or diving or—”
“Reading a book on the beach sounds wonderful right now. But I can’t leave you shorthanded.”
“You’re not. We actually are a bit overstaffed. And don’t worry, I’m paying you for the full day. Consider this my thank you for pulling a double the other night.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. Now go and don’t look back. If you do, someone will ask you for something and you’ll never get out of here,” Janet said.
Brook smiled. “Isn’t that always the way?”
She rushed off, went to the locker room, showered, and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Brooke wasn’t about to go swimming, and wearing her bikini in front of the guests felt kind of funny. This was perfect for the occasion. Alex had given her one of his books to read when she was first hired. Although she had intended to finish it, she couldn’t. By the time she made it to her room every night, she was dead on her feet and ready to sleep. A gory murder mystery wasn’t going to give her sweet dreams. But it was early afternoon. She had plenty of time to think of something more pleasant before bed.
As expected, there was plenty of room on the beach. After all, nightlife came with a price. Who wanted that big bright yellow ball in the sky threatening to make your hangover even worse? Brooke didn’t need to worry about that. She not only didn’t drink, she was a morning server, so she never stayed up past ten. At least not in New Hope. Who knew what her next job would require? Hopefully, it’ll allow me to sleep late.
Brooke considered herself a morning person, but really, everyone wants to be able to sleep in once in a while. The problem with living where you work, was you always felt like you were at work, even when it was your day off. Guests seemed to recognize her, even without her waitress apron, and before she knew it, she was fetching someone tea, coffee, or something to eat. Not once had she even considered telling them she was off the clock. She was there to make their vacation one they would never forget.
From what she’d witnessed over the past ten months, the word about New Hope was growing. They had been busy before, but the clientele was changing. It was a younger crowd, enjoying all the amenities the resort had to offer. Heck, if she wasn’t on staff, so would she.
Even though she’d been banking most of her check each week, it wasn’t like she could afford to stay on as a guest. This place wasn’t cheap. As a young girl, she’d stayed at more places like this than she could recall. It was nice having rich parents. However, even better than that was choosing to live without taking a cent from them.
Her friends all thought she was crazy, but it provided a sense of pride knowing everything she had or did was because she’d earned it. Of course there were times when she wanted to cave in and accept her parents’ offer for a new car or a house, but why did she need those things? Brooke had an amazing life. Each year she worked doing something different. By the time the job started to get old and stagnant, it was time for her to move on.
What she hadn’t done yet was plan out her next adventure. That was unlike her. She always had something in the works before now. Maybe she did like Tabiq more than she’d thought. It wasn’t as though she was going to be stuck at home, it just meant that her layover visiting the folks might be longer than planned. That will make them happy.
They had been begging her to spend the holidays with them, but as timing had it, the last few years she was off in another country. This past year in Tabiq, the year prior in Florence, and the year before that, on an Alaskan cruise line. People could mock her for choosing to be a waitress, but it meant she could find employment just about anywhere.
Time was slipping away, and she hadn’t even opened the book. Thankfully Alex hadn’t asked her what she thought of it. But she had her answer ready if he did. Bone chilling. She slipped her sunglasses on and opened the book. She was only on chapter three and still couldn’t shake the visual of the horrific scene from chapter two. Brooke had no idea Alex could write so . . . scary. Out of all the Hendersons she’d met, he seemed the most laid-back and easy-going. But his book was about a serial killer that stalked his victims while on vacation.
She slammed the book shut. Oh no. Not today. She would be looking at every guest like they were a potential murderer. That would totally ruin this adventure, and not just for her either. She could only imagine what a guest would think as she started questioning them.
“For someone who tried talking me into coming to the beach, you don’t look like you’re enjoying it.”
She didn’t need to look up to know it was Gareth. “I was enjoying it.” She hoped he picked up on the dig meant for him.
“Too hot? Book boring?” he asked.
“Company,” she blurted. Instantly she wished she could take that back. No matter what her feelings were, hurt or not, he was a guest.
“Wow, and here I was thinking you didn’t find me totally repulsive. Guess I was mistaken.”
“Yes. I mean no . . . I mean . . . I don’t find you repulsive. You seem like a very nice person,” she stammered as she tried to correct herself.
“But?”
“But what?” she asked.
“My company is what has ruined your time on the beach. Why?” Gareth inquired.
“I misspoke.”
“And I don’t believe you,” he said flatly. “Was it the last minute cancelation last night?”
Nailed it.“You mean ‘no show,’ correct?”
He had a puzzled look on his face then said, “You didn’t get my note.” She shook her head. “Damn it. I should’ve tracked you down and told you myself. There was a change of plans, an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. It was nothing. Trust me, I ate anyway.”