“If anyone can do it, you can,” Tristan said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
We spoke to Joanna and Darren for a few minutes longer, promising to have a meal with them before they left Hawaii, and then they made their way down to the beach.
Tristan kissed my nose the moment they were gone. “I should have known we wouldn’t be able to get away with a private stroll around here.”
I shrugged. “Comes with the territory,” I reminded him.
“I was thinking…”
I raised my eyebrows. “Yes?”
“I was thinking of expanding,” he admitted. “What do you think?”
I bit my lip. “Honestly?”
“Of course.”
“That’ll keep you really busy,” I said. “And I’d like you to be more present these days…for our son’s sake.”
“I agree,” he nodded. “Which is why I’m thinking of selling my other hotels.”
I blinked up at him. “Excuse me?”
“I’m running four different hotels and resorts in different parts of the States,” he explained. “It’s too much for me going forward, especially now since we’re starting a family. I don’t want to be flying back and forth and missing their milestones. So I was thinking…why not sell and focus my attention on one resort—this resort.”
“You would really consider that?” I asked in amazement.
“I have been considering it seriously over the last few months,” Tristan replied. “I want to be there for you and our family. And, I can’t do that if my attention is split.”
“Wow…that’s a lot to process,” I said honestly.
“How does it sound to you?” Tristan pressed.
“It sounds like a good idea,” I nodded. “But I don’t want you to regret anything later. Those resorts are what your father built.”
“Exactly, they’re his achievements,” I said. “Not mine. And, while I do have sentimental value attached to each of them, I need to do what’s best for my family and me. Our future is here—in Hawaii.”
I smiled. “We should definitely discuss it then,” I nodded.
Tristan kissed my cheek softly. “The only hotel I’m considering keeping is the one in LA,” he said. “I might actually send Ben over there to manage it for me.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Ben?” I said. “But then…he won’t be here.”
Tristan laughed. “We’ll miss him, but we’ll see him often. I’m sure of it. He’s risen on his own merits, and I think he deserves to have an operation to run on his own.”
“I agree,” I nodded. “Oh, by the way, my baby shower is going to be next week.”
Tristan shook his head. “Wasn’t that supposed to be a surprise?”
I laughed. “You know no one can keep secrets from me around here,” I said. “I was onto Alani for weeks. She’s so sweet do to all this for me.”
“She loves you,” he pointed out. “And, she’s already a little too obsessed with our baby.”
I laughed. “It’ll be good practice for her…once Joel and she decide they want kids, anyway.” I reached out and took Tristan’s hand. “You know, I was thinking the other day about names…”
“Yeah?”
“And since we’re having this baby in Hawaii… I thought it might be kind of nice to give him a Hawaiian name as well?” I suggested. “What do you think?”