Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

The wheels started turning in my head. This couple and all their senior friends were looking for a winter hangout at the beach. My marketing plan just shifted gears. I had the wrong approach all along.

“Thank you for staying at the Dune Scape. If I could promise you wifi, coffee, and a free night on your next trip to South Padre would you make another reservation?”

Cole had turned over the business part to me, so I made an executive decision about the free night. I’d have to work on the wifi before they came back.

She smiled at her husband and nodded. “I think we would do that. It does have the prettiest part of the beach, and we love the small pool.” She held up a bag of shells. “I don’t think I’ve ever had this kind of shell luck before.”

I had never thought of myself as a sales person, but it seemed urgent that I get them to pinpoint a date on the calendar.

“What dates would work for you? I’ll set you up in the closest oceanfront room, and I’ll mark down the free night right now.” I waited while they talked it over. I flipped to room twenty-three’s page just to make sure the availability was wide open.

The woman shook her head. “We’d like to come back, but we need to check with our daughter first. Our grandchildren have a fall festival and we never miss it. Let me get the dates and I’ll call you.”

I tried to keep the smile on my face, but I knew I had lost their return reservation.

“Sounds good. We can’t wait to see you again.” I waved as they walked out the door.

I slumped in the chair. I was a terrible sales person.

“Pretty girl like you shouldn’t look so unhappy.” Aiden strolled into the office.

My mood shifted from bad to worse.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to be here.” I thought about calling Cole, but he was somewhere on top of a roof right now repairing shingles. He wasn’t going to take my call.

I noticed Aiden had shaved his scruffy jawline, and his eyes looked even brighter and bluer than yesterday. I turned my attention to the spreadsheet I had pulled up on my screen, trying to ignore that he had made himself at home in front of the desk.

“So, Kaitlyn. What’s your real position here?”

I didn’t like the way he said it, and I was having a hard time ignoring the sexy tone in his voice.

“I don’t know what you mean. You’ve seen my business card.” I eyed him. Could this guy, who was practically the same age as Cole, be his uncle? It was completely surreal.

He surveyed the room. “I seriously doubt you are getting paid to run the desk here. Girl like you has to have something else invested.”

“Are you asking about my personal relationship with Cole?” It didn’t seem like it was any of his damn business if Cole and I were a couple.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking.” He smiled warmly.

I hesitated. I remembered what Cole said last night about Aiden having an angle. I wish I knew what it was. Right now, the only thing he seemed interested in was making sure I knew he was flirting with me.

“Come on, Kaitlyn. What’s your story?” He winked.

The truth was bound to come out. It wasn’t like Cole and I kept our relationship a secret. I couldn’t think of a way he could use it against Cole, and I needed him to stop the flirting.

“We’re together.”

He chuckled. “I thought so. You’d have to be in love to stay in a dump like this.”

“It’s not a dump.” I had always been defensive about the Dunes.

“Sweetheart, have you seen the place? I know love is blind, but that’s pure crazy.”

“I love the Dunes. And, yes, I’ve seen it. I’ve stayed in it. I hosted one of the biggest island parties here. It has history. It has charm. It—” My voice was rising and I knew my cheeks were turning red. Aiden had me fired up.

“It what?” He seemed to enjoy challenging me.

I leaned against the desk. “It belongs to Cole.” My enthusiasm became a little too animated and I tipped my coffee over, spilling the beverage all over the desk and the reservation book.