“We have mornings and nights,” I reminded him.
“I don’t mean to neglect you.”
“I know that,” I said, reaching for his hand. “And, I also happen to understand that you have a very demanding job. I’m not holding that against you. I knew what I was signing up for.”
Tristan smiled before leaning down to kiss my hand. “You’ve been amazing, you know,” he said. “The staff loves you, and you’ve significantly eased my workload.”
“Have I?” I asked incredulously. “How much more would you have been working if I hadn’t been around?”
He laughed. “I’d have had to pull all-nighters,” he said. “Like in college.”
“Wow.”
“I want you to know that this is just temporary,” he said. “It’s just until the resort finds its legs. Then I don’t have to be so hands on all the time.”
“I understand,” I nodded. “It’s not like I’m not busy, either. We both have our jobs to do.”
Tristan nodded, then he attacked his breakfast. I took a second to admire the view, before turning back to him. “Since I have you here, though, I wanted to
talk to you about something.”
He looked up immediately. “Of course,” he nodded. “Anything.”
“I feel like I need to move out of this suite.”
His eyebrows went up immediately. “Why?”
“This is the grand suite, Tristan,” I reminded him. “And I spoke to Alani yesterday. She told me that the resort has had to turn away guests because we’re fully booked until the end of February.”
“Which is a good thing.”
“It is,” I agreed. “Except that I’m not a paying customer. This suite should be made available for new guests.”
“We have two other grand suites.”
“Both of which are highly sought after,” I told him. “Why shouldn’t this one be made available, too? I’m happy to move into the staff quarters.”
“Absolutely not,” Tristan said firmly.
“Why not?”
“Because that’s not suitable for you.”
I smirked at him. “Come on now; it makes sense, and it’s practical. Plus, I’ve seen the staff quarters; they’re really nice.”
“You’re not moving to the staff quarters,” he said, with finality. “I’ll find other living arrangements for you.”
“That’s unnecessary—”
“Sorry,” he said, interrupting me. “I’m not budging on this one.”
I was annoyed, but also touched that he would take such pains to make sure I was comfortable and well looked after. He was a better boyfriend than I had expected, and a part of me was still wrapping my head around our very new and exciting relationship.
“I will need to make a trip home soon,” I told Tristan.
“Oh…right,” he said, and his expression looked a little troubled.
“I have to pack up my life and move it here,” I said. “And, I never really properly said goodbye to my family.”