Big yikes.
Also, it抯 peaberry coffee. That抯 the trademark flavor profile.
What the hell was she expecting?
But the room goes quiet as Brock clears his throat.
揑t抯 surprisingly delicate梐t the same time, the flavor couldn抰 be more robust. I抦 fucking impressed.?My heart soars, but he holds up a finger. 揌owever, bear in mind I have to please everyone at my resorts. That抯 why I travel with a team, and today I抳e brought two of my finest people, my head chef from Lanai and a sommelier with twenty years refining her palate.?
Oh, God.
While a professional wine taster doesn抰 know coffee, they have sensory skills that can rival a bloodhound. If there抯 anything off with my drinks, they抣l find it.
For now, the rest of the team compliments the coffee while the golden duo step forward.
Cole has been lingering near the back after greeting Winthrope.
Now, he stands up and comes close to me, his presence so thick and warming it抯 like I can feel him holding me even when he can抰 do it openly.
It feels like an eternity as the chef and professional taster do three rounds of tastings, clearing their mouths with water each time.
揑t gets a solid A from me, chief,?the chef says.
Brock nods happily and all eyes turn to the sommelier, a thin birdlike woman with glasses that seem too big for her face. She holds up her cup, peering through it, her lips pursed in an unreadable line.
揑t抯 a complex beverage. Remarkably faithful to the flavors of Kona while also standing on its own. While it may not pair with everything梟ot without checking every item on the menu, at least桰 think, Mr. Winthrope, that you have an acceptable headline coffee.?
Acceptable?
Oh, my God.
Coming from her, it feels like having a gold medal hung around my neck.
I almost can抰 believe that Mini Skirt抯 揑t抯 okay,?is the worst criticism the coffee gets.
When it抯 all over, after showing off the special espresso drinks, I exhale so long I抦 light-headed and floating.
I did it.
Brock Winthrope wants to sign a contract today thanks to my work.
I turn to Cole, grinning, and absentmindedly throw my arms around him. He swings an arm around me, leans in close like he抯 about to kiss me, and freezes.
揈liza,?he whispers hoarsely.
Oh, crapsticks.
What was I thinking?
We抮e in a meeting surrounded by co-workers and clients. Not his bedroom. Not the beach.
I wince at how easy it is to slip and fall so effortlessly into lust with him that my brain exits my body.
揙h, sorry.?My voice is louder than I intend as I pull away. 揑抦 just so happy for you. Congratulations.?
Cole nods, watching me carefully.
I tense, wondering if my impulsive little hug blew our cover…
Did anyone else notice? My eyes scan the room nervously.
Destiny is on the other side of me, within arm抯 reach and still glued to her phone, thank God.
Brock Winthrope crosses the room with a bright smile in his eyes for both of us. 揂 word of advice, Lancaster. Keep her employed at all costs. Beauty, brains, and art doesn抰 grow on trees.?
…that advice doesn抰 sound bad.
揜elax. I have no intention of letting her get away,?Cole says.
I let out a tiny sigh of relief I hope no one else hears.
揑 have a contract ready with all the terms previously discussed.?Kate pulls two thick packets of paper out of a black binder. She passes one to Cole and the other to Winthrope, who immediately starts reading it.
Soon, people start filing away from the table as I begin to understand less and less of what Cole and Brock are saying in their legalese.
揑t抯 naptime,?Destiny whispers with a disgusted smirk.
I can抰 disagree.
揑 saw someone bringing in a dessert tower earlier. I think there were macaroons,?I whisper back.
Destiny laughs and we start scanning the room together.
揝weet. Let抯 go find some cookies,?she says.
We gravitate toward a table at the back where a decadent spread of Hawaiian snacks and desserts are laid out. We each grab a handful of bite-size pastries. I抦 happy to get my hands on everything coconut.
揕et抯 get out of here. No sense in wasting more of this beautiful day.?She leads me to another balcony I didn抰 even know existed.
Yeah, I抦 starting to think I抣l never fathom the sheer size of this house.
She walks up to the thick wooden railing and leans against it, her dirty-blond hair rippling in the breeze.
揋orgeous spot,?I say. 揃ut I don抰 think there抯 a single ugly one here.?
揟here is.?The way she says it surprises me. Her voice drops. 揑 kind of dreaded coming here, Eliza, but it抯 been fun. Thanks for making this trip so easy. Honestly, I抦 not sure I would have gotten through it smiling without you.?Destiny pops a cookie into her mouth and chews harshly.