“Look at you! Hung like a wet towel,” Adam smirked.
All I could manage at that point was to flip him off as I sipped on my lemonade.
“Apparently there’s a Sydney buyer really interested – they want to turn it into a bed and breakfast,” Chris said, staring sullenly into his Coke.
My heart plummeted. “Already? A bed and breakfast?”
“That’s bullshit!” Adam added. “The last thing the Onslow needs is for some crusty upper-class toffs retiring from the city to turn the place into a B & B.”
Chris shrugged. “Don’t shoot the messenger.” He traced the lines of condensation on his pot glass, his troubled stare masking something deeper.
“There’s something else going on, isn’t there?” I said. “Spill!”
He looked up at me. “Huh?”
“I can read you like a book. Spill it.”
Chris sighed. “I wasn’t going to say anything because I don’t want you reading too much into it.”
Adam and I both straightened. This wasn’t going to be good.
Chris went to speak but then thought better of it, as if he was thinking about how to put it.
“Chris!”
“All right, all right. Don’t get too excited but it looks as though the McGees might put in a bid.”
Adam and I looked at each other. My heart spiked with approval.
“Are you serious?”
“Now, see, that’s what I mean, Amy, I see that manic, hopeful look in your eyes and I don’t want you getting your heart set on it.”
“But that is seriously amazing!” I squealed and then instantly regretted it. “Do you think they will?”
Chris ran his hand through his hair. “There are a few interested parties, and as far as I know they’re one of the front runners.”
“Sa-weeet.” Adam smiled.
“But don’t go saying anything, all right? I mean it, not even to Tess or Sean or anyone.” Chris looked at me pointedly when he mentioned Sean and my mood instantly darkened.
“Where is Sean, anyway?” asked Adam. “I haven’t seen him around.”
“Pfft, how should I know? I’m not his keeper.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Days went by and there was still no word from Sean.
Chris said he was pretty tied up with work, heading to the city a couple of times through the week. Somehow it did little to appease me. Every time I thought back to our last heated exchange, anytime I wanted to sulk about it, I snapped myself out of it. I didn’t want people to think I was the sullen, spoilt brat he’d called me. Even my parents had been surprised by my civilised behavior, though, to be honest, my worry over Sean’s absence overrode my concerns for the hotel.
***
Shuffling into the main bar mid-morning, I paused mid-stride as I spotted a gift box on the bar.
“Ooh, what’s that?” I asked Chris, eying it sceptically.
“Sean dropped it off this morning,” he said, unenthusiastically. He pushed it towards me. “It’s for you. I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but it’s probably not a good idea to worry your mum and dad over your love life right now,” he added.
My heart spiked in delight, but I quickly stamped it back down. I was thrilled, but still mad at him. “Ha!” I said. “What love life?”
Chris cocked his brow at the white gift box tied meticulously with a turquoise, silk bow.
“Good point, I’ll get rid of it,” I said.
I carried the box into the kitchen, hearing a chorus of upbeat chatter. Jenny McGee rolled out pastry beside a production line made up of Melba, Tess and Ellie peeling and chopping vegetables.
“Oooh, what’ve you got there?” crooned Ellie.
“Just a little something.” I frowned, placing the box on the counter.
“From a secret admirer?” asked Jenny.
“Not exactly,” I said, picking up a carrot stick and munching on it thoughtfully.
“Well, what does the card say?” Tess pointed at the box.
I frowned. “There is no card.”
“Uh, yeah there is.” Tess wiped her hands on a tea towel, picked up the box and pulled out a business-card-sized card tucked underneath the turquoise silk.
How could I have missed that?
“Ahhh!” I jumped from my position about to grab it from Tess, when it was quickly plucked from her hands by Ellie.
“Oooh, writing.” She smiled.
“Ellie!”
She held her hand up, her brows rising as she read the note. “Oh.” Ellie’s blue eyes widened in surprise.
“What?” I frowned.
It was enough to have Jenny and Tess clambering to see what was on it. Even Melba peered over their shoulders.