I nodded. “Dead serious.”
He looked at me, and then glanced through the window, eyeing the two rows of rooms. I wasn’t feeling confident about my offer. I shifted restlessly.
“Ok. I’ll stay a few nights. Try out the Palm, but I don’t want you to get your little heart broken when I have to file a list of complaints the first night.”
I faked a laugh. “I’m not worried one bit. You’re going to see all the things that make this a special place, not one that needs to be forgotten.” I pulled out the reservation book that was now stained with coffee. “I’m going to put you down for room twenty-three. It’s the room I stayed in when I first came to Padre.”
“In that case, I already like it.”
I ignored the comment. “Anyway, when do you think you could check out of the Sun Resort?”
“If you’re so anxious to get this party started, I can do it right now. I’ll go get my bags.”
“Great!” I closed the book on the desk. “See you soon.”
He stood to leave. “Can’t wait. Cocktail hour at five?”
I shook my head. “No, there’s no cocktail hour at the Palm, but if you don’t cause any trouble, I’m sure Mac would be happy to have you at Pete’s. That’s the local hangout where you had lunch. You can walk there from here.”
“Me? Trouble? Eden, I’m hurt you think I’d start trouble.” He turned toward the door. “Want to join me? I’d love to buy you a drink.”
I almost had to close my jaw with my hand. Was he actually asking me out even though I told him I was with Grey?
“Grey’s waiting on me.”
“Maybe another time.” He threw me a wink as he walked out the door.
Sure, Grey was overprotective and jealous, but he might have been right this time. I couldn’t think about that now. Changing Mason’s mind about the Palm was more important. I could handle the flirting.
I rushed to the supply closet and loaded my arms with all the new supplies: shampoo, soap, fluffy towels. I had no idea what kind of shape room twenty-three was in, but I had maybe twenty minutes to get it up to five-star status.
I climbed the steps to the cottage. I had been gone two hours. Long enough to cause massive trouble. Mason had checked into room twenty-three with his two overnight bags. He wasn’t finished trying to talk me into a drink, but I managed to side step his last offer.
I opened the door to find Grey leaning on a crutch with his head in the refrigerator.
“What are you doing? You’re not supposed to be up.” I rushed over to him, ready to coax him back to bed.
“Looking for a beer,” he reported.
“Uh-uh. No way. You are still on pain medication.” I took the unopened bottle from his hand and placed it in the fridge. “What about some tea or a water?” I pulled out the ice tea pitcher.
He groaned. I knew it wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
“What’s happening over at the office?” He nodded in the direction of the Palm while he waited for me to pour him a glass.
“Nothing major.” I added a few extra ice cubes. “I’m working on an advertising contract for snowbirds.”
I watched as he chugged the sweet tea.
“I’m so thirsty.” He placed it on the counter.
“I’ll pour another for you.” I retrieved the pitcher for a second time and filled up the glass. “You really need to get off your leg. At least give it another day before you try standing around.” He didn’t look steady.
“So no new guests?” He eyed me over the glass.
“Why do you ask?”
“I saw someone pull in about twenty minutes ago. Couldn’t make out who it was though, and I don’t remember having any reservations on the books after the Shapleys checked out.”
For someone on high-level medication, he was acting sharp as a tack.
“Let me help you back to bed and I’ll tell you what’s going on.”
Reluctantly, he slung his free arm around my shoulder and used his crutch to distribute his weight as he hobbled to the bedroom. I restacked his pillows and made sure he was comfortable before I launched into my awkward confession.
“Someone did check in this afternoon.”
“Ok.”
“And it was Mason.” I winced, waiting for the explosion.
“What the hell?” He slammed the tea on the bedside table. “What is that son of a bitch doing in my motel? You checked him in?”
I sat on the opposite side of the bed, careful not to jar his leg. “I had a reason.”
“And what’s that?”
I inhaled, knowing Grey probably wouldn’t buy this argument. It made sense at the time. “I thought if he spent time there, he would fall in love with it like I did and he’d stop all this crazy talk about tearing it down.” I sighed. “I’m just trying to help.”