Heat Wave

I raise my brows, my grip tightening on the empty mug. “Personal experience?”


“We don’t see eye to eye either. But I still like my job. I’ve learned to roll with it. And part of that reason is because I refuse to let him get under my skin. See…everyone liked working for Juliet. She was a lot more diplomatic than Logan. She was the one who dealt with the staff, not him. So when she…when she was gone, it was hard for all of us, and for Logan, to make that transition. It’s still hard. But I don’t put up with his shit. He’s not doing me any favors; I’m doing him one. And that’s really the only way to survive here.”

Well I can pretty much rule out Logan and Kate ever getting together in that way. They seem just as incompatible as we do.

But slices of the dream cut into my vision. His lips at my neck, the feel of his fingers inside me, probing deep. The endless want that was seconds from being fulfilled.

Even though Kate can’t see what I’m thinking, I look away, completely ashamed. I can’t control my dreams but this is the absolute worst time to be thinking about it, when she’s just mentioned Juliet.

“Hey,” Kate says softly, bringing my attention back to her. “I know things are hella complicated for you. Just remember this isn’t the be-all and end-all. If you don’t like it here, you can quit. You hate the island, you can move. No one, not your family, not your resume, is holding you here. It’s a big world and Kauai is a very tiny piece of the pie. You’re in charge, you’re in control and it’s your life. No one else’s. Right?”

I slowly nod. “Right,” I say, managing a weak smile. Damn. It’s this early in the morning and Kate already seems to know more than enough about me. I wonder if I’m that obvious or she’s just that observant. Probably a little of both.

“Okay, I’m off to work,” she says. “You know where to find me.”

She gives a quick wave that reminds me of that monotone actress from Parks and Rec, and then disappears around the corner. The door shuts behind her.

I run her mini-pep talk through my head. She would be right if I were anyone else. I should be able to get a job back at home. I should be able to get a job anywhere.

But that’s not the case at all. Moonwater Inn is the only place that I know didn’t place a reference call, mainly because I never provided the information. And even if Logan did manage to scrounge up Erik’s name and get a hold of him, it wouldn’t matter the lies that Erik told him because, hey, I’m here aren’t I?

To my parents, moving to Kauai and working at Moonwater seemed like the smart option. I’m not sure they realized that, short of starting my career all over again, it was the only option.

So as much as Kate says that I can do what I want, where I want, I really can’t. Not when it comes to moving forward in my dreams.

It’s Kauai or bust.

With that in mind, I get up and start getting ready for the day. If anything, one piece of her advice is ringing through my head.

Never give Logan the upper hand.





Even though I had gotten up early, I slowly ease into the day. I flip through my work contract, and though there’s nothing strange about the way it reads, I still hesitate before I sign on the dotted line. When I do, I can’t help but feel I made a deal with the devil. Overdramatic? Maybe. But if the devil came disguised as a handsome Australian man, I wouldn’t be surprised.

I make myself more coffee and breakfast, stealing some of Kate’s toast and a jar of pink guava spread, hoping she won’t mind, and sit out on the balcony as the world outside slowly comes alive.

People are early risers here. I’m not sure if it’s because everyone from North America has to be suffering some kind of jetlag, or they just want to get up early and seize the day, but it’s not even eight a.m. and everyone seems to be heading to their cars, the beach, or the pool. I don’t think Logan has fixed the heater yet, so I hope they know they’re getting a rude awakening once they jump in.

As I watch the guests go to and fro, I can't help but think about the contract, even though it's all signed and ready to be dropped off at reception for Logan. My mind, lulled by the rhythmic waves, then turns to Juliet, wondering what she'd think about this whole thing.

The funny thing is, if Juliet were still alive, I'm not sure she'd be all too enthused about me moving here to work at her hotel. After all, she spent four years running this place with Logan, and not once did she invite me to visit, let alone offer me a job. I mean, I knew she knew I was happy at Piccolo. But that was based on assumption. She never asked me if I was happy with my job or the way my career was going. I'm not sure if I'm good at faking happiness or what, but it's like the thought to check in with my well-being never crossed her mind.