Heat Wave(22)

I try not to think about it. I have to tell myself that there would be no way that Kate would still be working here if that were the case. She seems to have some decency.

“Not that it’s any of my business,” Kate says from the kitchen. I can hear toast pop up in the toaster. “But what exactly brought you out here? I’ve seen your resume. I can’t imagine that working at Moonwater is a step up for you.”

I’m not sure how truthfully I want to answer. I give her my stock one, which is still the truth. “It’s not easy finding a job in Chicago. The restaurant scene is highly competitive. I had to move back in with my parents and I was pretty much going crazy when this opportunity came up.”

“Right,” she says, coming back into view, munching on a piece of toast with avocado mashed on top. She leans casually against the wall. Still in her underwear. “So is Logan helping you out or are you helping Logan out?”

I swallow down the rest of the coffee. “Maybe a bit of both.”

“Can I give you some advice?” she says. “You’re helping Logan out. That’s all you need to know. Never give him the upper hand.”

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.