Chapter Fifteen

Jen threw herself into work. It was the only way to stifle traitorous thoughts. She’d managed to fill the last few days up with routine and kept herself busy by going through months of paperwork that Tyler had efficiently worked through—paperwork that she’d ignored while doing her “thing” outside the office. It didn’t totally deaden the pain inside, but it numbed it. By her way of thinking, though, she deserved every boring minute.

Kate warned her to take control and step up to the new responsibility, and she hadn’t. She’d acted as though Kate had never left, leaving Tyler to do the dreaded paperwork while she continued to run the hotel as she always had—working with the guests, fixing their problems, and dealing with the staff. Dealing with my private life, her conscience whispered. She cringed inwardly. The realization hit her that if she’d only just concentrated on the job and stopped worrying about her personal life, none of this would have happened.

If she’d only just done her job, she would have seen that Felix’s contract was coming to an end. She would have been able to confront him herself, maybe even talked about it. She would have known months before, instead of her heart getting put on the line. If she’d done her job, maybe she would not have let herself get in so deep and fall in love. Maybe, it wouldn’t have hurt this bad, and she might have been able to cope with his lie.

She shook her head. It didn’t matter, any more. All that had changed, now. It took her heart breaking to realize that she had to pull up her big girl undies and concentrate on what was real. Work. Not men. Hadn’t I learned my lesson a hundred times before? Hadn’t I already dated one bad guy too many to fall for it, again?

Lesson learned, now. No more would she give out her heart lightly. I’d rather be alone than hurt, she thought grimly as she walked into the hotel and grabbed her morning coffee from Cheryl at the hotel café. Dana sat at the reception desk, and she walked around the counter, tiredly rearranged her bag on her shoulder, and put down the hot coffee on the desk. Absentmindedly, she sorted through the in-tray on the main desk and complained inwardly. The paperwork seemed to grow higher every day—not that she was unhappy about it. The amount of incoming work meant a full day—no time to reflect on herself or anyone else but her employees and the hotel. A blessing, considering.

“Morning, Jen,” Dana chirped happily, interrupting Jen’s self-centered internal complaints. The short-haired, slender woman was tapping perfectly manicured fingers over the computer keyboard and snapping gum with a happy smile.

“Morning. No gum at the desk, please.” Jen snapped with annoyance, ignoring the immediate guilt at her short temper. She berated herself under her breath. It’s not Dana’s fault I’m in a pissy mood. My day won’t improve if all the staff hates me.

Dana immediately looked contrite. “Sorry, Jen.” She pulled the wad from her mouth, dumped it in the trash can under the desk, and shot her a worried look. Jen miserably refocused on the handful of mail and slipped a few folders under her arm.

She sighed and put a smile on her face for Dana, hoping it didn’t look as false as it felt. “How’s it going? First day full-time today, right?”

“Yep. Though, I’ve got Susan on speed dial, just in case.” Dana’s face lit up, and Jen’s returning smile felt genuine for the first time in days. “I’m really happy to be here, Jen. I promise you won’t regret this decision.”

“I’m totally confident in you, Dana.” She patted the woman on the shoulder. “Just be yourself, and you’ll be fine. If you need help, let me know first, and I’ll give you a hand. Let’s give Susie Q a proper day off, huh?”

“No problem. Oh, Tyler is going to be a bit late for your appointment this morning. He’s got Craig out, showing him a new tour they’re doing for people visiting Down Rope. Now, they’ve got the new steps, and the railing in that goes down the cliff side is an easier run.” She grinned and rolled her eyes. “If they’re not scared of heights, that is. You wouldn’t get me down there if you paid me.” She chortled happily and gave an overly exaggerated shiver. “I’ll give you a yell if I need you.”

“Thanks, Dana.” She waggled her mail and picked up her coffee. “I’ll be in the office if anyone wants me otherwise.”

She closed the door behind her, and the smile faded as she paused at the apex of the tidy administrative office. The Bounty’s Retreat administration office—once the most hated place in the hotel—had now become her sanctuary…from Felix. From having to think about him, from worries about bumping into him. Not that she had to worry. Since she’d ordered him out of her office, he’d stayed away from her, too. Not that it meant much. She grimaced. It had only been a few days since she’d lost the plot, felt her world spinning out of control. Since she’d found out the one man she’d trusted—and loved—had not cared enough to tell her he was leaving.

There was one more male who had filled her thoughts for the last few days, though. This was one she had no compulsion to try and avoid. This was one employee she didn’t mind if she aggravated, because she was angrier than she’d ever been at his cutting her out—Tyler.

Irritation at him was partially aimed right back at herself for letting him take over the office work. Although, if she was honest with herself, it had been done professionally and efficiently. He’d purposely kept her out of the loop, though—that niggled at her. Kate would never have stood for it. Kate would never have been put in this position, her conscience prodded.

She dumped the paperwork from the in-tray onto her desk and slumped down into her chair. Anger at being cut out of important information set a slow fire of anger burning in the pit of her belly that had grown with each file, each roster sheet, and each new contract or requisition. He was good, and everything was perfect. The problem was simple. It wasn’t the quality of the work. It was just that she had no input in any of it.

She’d refiled every last bit of paperwork last night, enjoying the aggravation, savoring the tedious job and making it last as long as she could. Just so I didn’t have to go home to an empty house and time to let myself think about things, her mind nagged at her.

I should have been more focused on work right from the start, she grumped mentally back. Now, I am. Tyler’s going to answer some sticky questions…that’s for sure.

Tyler arrived half an hour late, and even though she’d been warned that he would be, and he had been on the job—even if it was off site—Jen couldn’t help the simmering resentment she felt as he breezed in the office door. He looked wind-blown and rosy-cheeked with excitement. His smile stretched ear-to-ear, white teeth bright in his bronzed face. Jealousy instantly mixed with the simmering annoyance, and she felt her temper slip.

“Shut the door,” she muttered brusquely.

His smile disappeared in an instant. He closed the door and crossed the room to sit in the chair opposite of her.

“Sorry I’m late. I did leave a message, though.”

“I got it.” She chewed on her bottom lip. This was no time to beat about the bush, and she was in no mood for chitchat. “Look, I’ve called you in, because I have a few issues to talk about with you.”

A sculptured brow rose in amazement. “Issues?”

“Yeah, issues. I was pretty pissed off the other day. You’d organized meetings about pretty important staff members without telling me. You’ve been requisitioning items not run past me and rostering staff without my approval.” She rose from her chair and began pacing the floor. She ticked off her complaints on her fingers. “Look, the requisitions and rostering were all perfect—what I would have done myself, and I have no problem with your work—but finding out Felix’s contract had not renewed, and being blind-sided by interviews was pretty unprofessional. It’s not as if I haven’t been around, and I’m not that unapproachable.”

She stopped mid-pace and stared at Tyler’s stunned face. “Hang on a minute, Jen,” he said.

“Everything I’ve done has been transparent and professional. All work was put on the desk for you to access at any time. The contract—or Felix’s request not to extend his time on island—too. You were never unapproachable, but you have been busy, Jen.” He paused and drew a breath. “You’ve been weighed under with Council, tourism meetings, and staff issues…not to mention handling the guests.”

He threw up his hands. “Felix’s contract was just another issue that needed to be handled, and like everything else, I put it on your desk to be looked at. I had no idea you’d not seen the paperwork.”

“If I’d seen it, I would have said something.” She let out a frustrated breath between her pursed lips. “We’re losing a damn good chef.” The words pained her to say, but they were true, even if the man himself had hurt her.

Tyler nodded. “I did double-check with him to make sure he hadn’t changed his mind. I felt the same way, Jen.” He tipped his head to the side and looked at her shrewdly. “To be honest, I didn’t make as big a deal out of it with you, because I thought you already knew. You and Felix seemed attached at the hip. I was sure you already had full knowledge of his decision…” His voice trailed off as his eyes widened. Her face must have shown him the truth. “But obviously, you didn’t.”

He shook his head. “I should have known just by the way you were at the interviews the other day. The atmosphere was pretty tense.”

Jen snorted with derision. “Tense?” She sat back down and stared hard at him. “I was furious. Can you imagine my shock to find out from Susan—Susan, not you—that Felix was leaving, and I was interviewing his replacement that afternoon?”

Tyler swore under his breath. “I apologize. Again, I thought you knew.”

“I had no freaking idea.”

Tyler winced. “I really am sorry, Jen. I have no excuse to offer—apart from being a bit overzealous in my work. But I was trying to impress you, show you that you didn’t need to worry, and that I had your back. God knows I needed to something to improve your view of me.”

Now, it was Jen’s turn to be surprised. “What? Why?”

Tyler’s brow furrowed. “You don’t need to carry on pretending. We both know I made a colossal fool out of myself, and ever since that night, I’ve either tried to dazzle you with my professionalism or just plain avoid you.” He gave her a curious look. “I thought that’s what you were doing, too…weren’t you?”

Jen realized her jaw had dropped open, and she shut her mouth with a snap. “I can honestly say I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“The party? The night of Kate and Bryce’s wedding?”

Sighing with exasperation, Jen shook her head. The only thing she remembered clearly about that night was Felix’s revelation, and then that kiss. After she’d emotionally, if not literally, kicked him in the nuts—not hard enough, her mind jeered—he’d stormed off. I also got really drunk, she thought wryly. She struggled to piece together Tyler’s cryptic remarks, but the night remained stubbornly blank. God, what have I done, now?

“I don’t remember, Tyler. It was not a great night emotionally for me.” She watched as he flushed and moved uncomfortably in his chair.

“Uh…shit.” He shot her a quick grimace and went a few more shades of red. “Well, it wasn’t that fantastic for me, either. That’s why I’ve been going all out to try and make up for things here—so you didn’t think I was a complete idiot professionally as well as outside of work.”

“I still don’t get it. What’s that got to do with Felix?”

Tyler now looked confused. “Aren’t you supposed to be a couple?”

“Supposed to be. We’re not, any more. Long story.” The words came out of tight lips. It’s also one I’m not up to relating to you. I don’t even want to think about it myself. “What did the night of my sister’s wedding have to do with anything?”

He blew a long breath out of pursed lips. “This is embarrassing.” He looked at her and then away, again. “Uh…I’d um…well, I sort of felt like there was an attraction between us. Well, there was on my side, anyway.”

Now, Jen could feel the heat rush to her own face, and she raised a hand to her mouth.

He rushed on with his explanation. “Anyway, you were having a pretty good time…we were having a pretty good time at the party. Drinking and dancing, and I uh…made a move. I…kissed you.” He paused, staring at her with an embarrassed wince. “You certainly slapped me down in no uncertain terms.”

Jen closed her eyes. Oh. My. God. He kissed me? She closed her eyes and tried to fight her way through the fog without success. Wouldn’t—shouldn’t I remember the Adonis kissing me? After all, I’d told Felix about him—he was part of my damned excuse for not jumping into the relationship right then and there. The idea seemed perfectly ridiculous, now. She shook her head, completely flummoxed. “I really don’t remember, Tyler.”

She stifled a laugh at his shocked face. If someone had told me I’d not remember kissing this man a few months ago, I would have had an expression like that, too.

“What? The kiss or the tongue-lashing I got afterward?” he stuttered.

“Either.”

“Jesus.” He collapsed back in his chair while staring back at her, and then leaned forward, again. “Crap. Look, I’ve been so busy trying to make up for my mistake I made that night, I’ve been going out of my way to make sure I’ve made none here, too. I’m really very sorry…on both counts.”

Running her hands through her curls, Jen shook her head. She hated to admit it, but she could be partially to blame, too. “I probably gave you every indication I was interested at first, Tyler. I was pretty confused at the time. I was probably shooting out all sorts of mixed messages.”

He chuckled, relaxing a little in his seat. “Well, the message I got after I kissed you was pretty damn clear. You told me that my name was no longer Mister Wright. That I should be renamed be Mister Wrong. Wrong time, wrong place.”

His face grew serious. “As for Felix and his contract, I honestly did think you knew. You and Felix were obviously a couple, and I assumed he told you.”

“He didn’t, but that’s not your fault.” She sighed. “That’s something I have to talk to Felix about.”

“When Hell freezes over,” she added under her breath.

“I think we need to take a step back. Tyler, I’m really impressed with what you’ve done while you’ve been here, first of all. I think any issues I had were caused by my own inattentiveness and your eagerness to prove yourself.” She smiled at him. “Which you’ve done. The hotel’s run smoothly, even with both of us doing our part separately, but that needs to change. We have to work together.”

Tyler nodded. “I agree, and thank you. I have to say it’s been great working here. It’s only a pity that my time’s coming to an end.”

“Well, that’s another issue I need to talk to you about.”

Tyler winced. “Good or bad?”

Jen laughed. “It depends how you want to look at it, but I think you’ll like it. Kate’s back on the island at the end of the week, but she’s not coming back to work straight away, as she’d planned. She’s formally applied for six months maternity leave, and I’ve just approved it. Now, I just need to know if you’re happy to stay on—” She put up a hand to his instantly wide smile. “But…there’s a proviso.”

“What’s that?”

“That we start over and work together.”

Tyler grinned and stood up. He walked over to the desk and put his hand out for her to shake. “Deal.”

They shook hands to seal the agreement, and Jen held on a second longer than necessary. She put a frown on her face and stared up at him. “One more thing, though.”

His smile faded.

“You’re stuck with the rosters.”

His laugh was contagious.