Sweet Satisfaction

She sighed. “Thank you. That’s a huge help .”

If I wasn’t spiraling I’d think it was funny I was starting a low-level party planning business on the side .

“We’ll see you in a few days, hon .”

“Bye, Mom.” I tossed my phone on the bed and slid under the covers .

We had to face this whether we wanted to or not. Ryan was coming home .

I stepped into the shower and let the water run through my hair. The trial size bottles of shampoo I bought were close to empty—just one more sign my vacation was almost over. My heart sank .

“Kaitlyn?” Cole called through the bathroom door .

“I’m in the shower.” God, I couldn’t tell him now .

He opened the door. “I’ve got to go buy some bags of ice. The ice machine went out last night and everything melted .”

“Can you fix it ?”

“Not by the time everyone checks in, but the bags should hold them over until it’s running again. I’ll be back in a few.” He closed the door. “I’ve got Grayson with me .”

“Ok,” I called .

The door popped back open and Cole stuck his head in. “For the record, I would pin you up against that shower wall if I didn’t have to fix the ice machine .”

I giggled. “Bye .”

“Bye.” He winked before closing the door behind him .

* * *

T -minus seven hours and counting. I sipped my coffee in the office and skimmed the checklist I had made for today. I performed a test run on the card reader I purchased for my phone. Cole couldn’t keep using carbon paper to run credit cards. The keys were secure in the box on their heavy palm tree key chains. Sasha had printed extra flyers for the luau on the Wave Oasis’s copier when no one was looking. I wanted to make sure every guest had at least two copies so they could share with their friends. So much was hinging on the party tomorrow night .

“Package for Cole Thomas. Can you sign for it, miss?” A delivery driver stepped into the office .

“Sure. Where do I sign ?”

He handed me the electronic keypad and pointed to the bottom square. I scribbled my name on the screen .

“Have a nice day.” He handed me a legal-size packet .

I flipped it over in my hands. The return label was from Texas State. Last night when I asked Cole what his future plans were he balked at the questions. As much as I wanted to steam the seal open, I placed the package on the corner of the desk .

Cole poked his head in the door. “I’m back with tons of ice. Anything going on ?”

“Actually, you have a delivery.” I reached for the envelope and held it out to him .

“Cool.” He grabbed the mail from me and darted out the door. “I’ve gotta throw the ice in the cooler. Grayson’s going to try to help.” He rolled his eyes. Half the ice would probably end up on the sidewalk .

“But—” He was gone before I could ask about the contents of the mystery package .

I sat in the chair. After our guests arrived, I would ask him what Texas State had sent him and fill him in on Ryan’s homecoming, but for now, he had a broken icemaker to worry about .

* * *

I handed the young couple their palm tree key. “Enjoy your stay at the Dune Scape .”

“Oh, we will.” The boyfriend winked at his girlfriend, and she giggled .