Resort to Love Read online

  “Está bien.” Tía Mili nodded slowly, emphasizing her okay. “But remember, what is in here...” She tapped her temple with a finger. “It is not always the same as what lies here.” She patted her chest, her brown eyes swimming with compassion. “And you are always wiser when you listen to them both.”

  Yes, that was probably true, Sofía mused as she finished packing everything into her computer bag. But when it came to Nate, her heart and her head had been at odds for years. One craving time with him, the other warning her away.

  For her own sanity, she planned to heed that warning and keep her distance. Even if being in Paradise Key together made that more difficult.

  Chapter Six

  As presented, it’s not a wise investment for the bank.

  Not a wise investment.

  Sofía dragged her bare feet through the thick sand along Paradise Key beach, the dire words sounding a death knell in her head. Her conservative black heels, worn specifically for her appointment with the ultimately unyielding loan officer, dangled from two of her fingertips.

  Despite her non-beach attire, she continued moving toward the water’s edge. Dejection threatened. Frustration rode on its coattails, and she sought the calm she typically found amongst the sand, surf, and sun.

  Gentle waves chased each other on and off the shore. The warm water and tiny sea-foam bubbles tickled the tops of her feet, washing against her ankles as the sand shifted below her.

  “It is a wise investment,” she grumbled. “I’m a wise investment.”

  She kicked the water in disgust. Then sucked her teeth with annoyance at the splash of droplets that flung back at her, leaving dark splotches on the skirt of her pale blue sheath dress.

  It didn’t matter. She was heading home for dinner with Tía Mili, so she could change before meeting the girls at Scallywags later. They’d all hoped it would be a celebratory night. Lauren, Evie, and Jenna had chimed in on their group text thread earlier, each wishing her good luck. They were almost as excited as Sofía about the potential for her to own the resort.

  Fat chance of that happening. According to the straight-laced, no-special-consideration-for-locals-allowed loan officer.

  The lazy surf rolled in and out from the Gulf, pulling the sand from beneath her feet. Sofía readjusted her stance and drew in a deep breath, willing her desperation to quiet. The briny smell of salt water and seaweed filled her lungs, the familiar scent working its magic. Like always.

  A morning run along the shore, a walk before sunset. Hanging out under the boardwalk’s shade in the heat of the day. It didn’t matter—the beach never failed to energize and reset her psyche.

  Eyes closed, she raised her face to the sun. The heat infused her, and she imagined its energy squashing the negativity threatening to overcome her confidence.

  “Everything okay?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

  Sofía started, spinning around so fast one of her heels slipped off her fingertips. She made a grab for it, but the shoe bounced off the palm of her free hand and flew through the air.

  “Whoa!” Nate snagged it midair, his eyes widening in surprise. “Can’t say I’ve ever had a woman throw her shoe at me in hello. Good-bye, well, maybe once or twice.”

  He flashed his sexy grin, looking all relaxed and carefree in a short-sleeved, soft green and white checkered Oxford and khaki cargo shorts. His light brown hair was mussed from the wind, and he’d obviously been out in the sun over the weekend based on his newly acquired golden tan.

  For some perverse reason, the idea he’d been idly lazing around at the beach the past few days had her frustration mushrooming again.

  “What are you doing here?” she complained. Forget the fact that his quick reflexes had saved her favorite pair of business heels from a sure ruin.

  “Nice to see you, too. It’s a public beach,” he added when she frowned at his initial answer. “Everyone’s welcome.”

  She held out her hand for her shoe.

  Nate ignored her, turning it over in his hands, studying it as if he’d never seen a sensible black leather pump before.

  Sofía barely held back a sigh. The closeness they’d once shared, that she still pined for in the tiniest corner of her heart, alerted her to what was coming.

  Sure enough, Nate angled his head to slant an inquisitive look at her. The one that said he knew something was bugging her, and he didn’t plan on backing down until she spilled her guts.

  There’d been a time when that beguiling expression on his handsome face, the expectant flash in his green eyes, would have cajoled her into confiding in him. He was, despite his good-time-guy persona, a smart sounding board. Between Nate and Sal, she’d benefitted from their keen advice over the years.

  Things were different now, though.

  Had been from the moment Nate had mentioned his father’s demand that Nate propose to Melanie. Or rather, when Nate hadn’t immediately said no, she’d realized the true strength of his family’s pull. All those times she had encouraged him to fight for his rightful place, for the dream he had of overseeing his own small group of resorts under the Hamilton name. Within the company, yet apart from his father. In the defining moment, they hadn’t mattered.

  He’d flown to Key West to tell her in person, but she hadn’t offered any input on his decision. She couldn’t.

  Secretly, she’d been hoping he’d make the right choice on his own. When the news of his engagement had been released the next week, her faith in his ability to break away from his father’s influence had cracked. Shattering her heart along with it.

  Now, as much as it pained her, she couldn’t trust that if she shared her loan problem with Nate, it wouldn’t get back to his father, who’d most certainly use the information to cripple her chances at winning the bid.

  A seagull squawked as it glided over their heads, its grey wings spread wide. The little bird dipped, then swooped to land a few feet away. It stutter-stepped along the sand, stopping to peck its beak at the little piles of sea grass strung along the shore. Just like Nate’s charming personality could peck away at her resolve to not give into the part of her that ached to be with him again.

  She had to silence the cry. If not, it could only lead to inevitable heartbreak. Again.

  He waited, patient, not pushing, but not going away either.

  One of the things that drew her to him was his propensity to take care of those closest to him. Nate would bend over backward to help them. He had an uncanny knack for showing up when she least expected, but needed it the most. There to magically turn a crappy day into a magical weekend.

  “Interesting shoe choice for a walk on the beach,” he mused. His large hands fondled her heel, caressing the black leather. “Unless this unplanned visit is more along the lines of one of those head-clearing visits you’re fond of.”

  She knew this routine. If she stayed quiet and didn’t engage, he’d simply continue talking to himself. Waiting her out.

  “Hello, Nathan,” Sofía answered, working to keep her voice bland. “It’s lovely to see you. Unfortunately, I was just leaving. May I please have my shoe?”

  “Will you walk with me?” He tilted his head invitingly, his expression hopeful.

  ¡Sí! her heart cried.

  ¡No! ¿Estás loca? her brain answered.

  Of course she’d be crazy to say yes. Or a glutton for punishment. Neither option was good.

  After a beat, Nate took a hesitant step in the direction that would eventually lead to Tía Mili’s house. That was the only reason she followed him, because she was headed that way anyway. At least, it was what she told herself.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  He moved to her left side, keeping his sneakers out of reach of the tide’s ever-moving fingers. “That’s all you’re gonna say?”

  “Yep.”

  His husky chuckle brushed against her soul, sending tingles of desire rippling through her. Doggedly, she ignored them.


  She waded deeper into the rolling surf, confident he wouldn’t follow. A wave flooded in, splashing up her calves, and she tugged her dress hem above her knees.

  “I know you, Sof.” Nate glanced at her, nostalgia and concern shadowing his eyes before he glanced away. “Whether it’s that little V in between your brows. The way you drag your hand through your hair, gripping the ends in your fist. Or how you head to the water to refill your well. They’re your tells. At least, for me they are.”

  Coño, he had her pegged. And double damn his words for arrowing straight to her heart.

  “We’re on opposite sides here, Nate.” She laid the truth out there to remind herself as much as him. “There’s no way I’m feeding Hamilton, Inc., insider info.”

  He drew to an abrupt stop, either not caring or not noticing the inches-high wave that covered the toes of his pricey sneakers.

  Sofía slowed her steps, turning to squint back at him.

  “Forget Hamilton, Inc. Forget my father. Don’t think about anything or anyone else.” He flung out an arm as if to encompass the world around them. Then, like the motion had taken the wind out of his parasail, he dropped his arm at his side. “It’s just us here. Talk to me. Let me help you. Please.”

  He clasped his hands together on the last word.

  The juxtaposition of her black heel pressed against his muscular chest should have been comical. But the honest sincerity blanketing his chiseled features, the plea in his sea-green eyes, called to her.

  This was her Nate.

  The guy who randomly sent her silly texts to make her laugh.

  Who special ordered her a bottle of Don Q rather than flowers, so they could video chat and “have a drink together.”

  Who’d hopped a last-minute flight to Key West so he could give her a hug because he’d heard the deep pain in her voice when he’d called to check on her after her abuela’s funeral.

  And if she were honest with herself, the first person she’d thought to call when she’d found out about Lily’s death.

  Ay, her heart swelled, overwhelmed by the need to be able to trust him again. Sofía gripped the shoulder strap on her tote bag, torn between what her head and her heart urged her to do.

  Her gaze slid past Nate’s shoulder to the resort looming behind him. It had once been their Shangri-La. Tía Mili was right, even if Sofía refused to admit it out loud.

  Part of why she wanted the resort so badly was because of the important role it had played in shaping her life. Nate was irrevocably tied to that. If they couldn’t be together, at least she’d see this part of their memory flourish. It would be both a personal and professional win.

  Only, right now, that win was in jeopardy.

  Sal would tell her to quit over-thinking it and take him up on his Plan-B offer. Nate—her Nate—could provide an unbiased perspective.

  Heaving a soul-weary sigh, she went for broke. “The bank’s loan officer turned down my application.”

  Nate’s eyes widened a fraction, then he quickly grew serious. “Does the Local Planning Agency know? You want to keep that under wraps until you can figure out other financing.”

  “I haven’t shared the news with anyone else. But in this town, who knows how long I have before word gets out.”

  Nate nodded, then started walking again. She fell into step beside him, remembering his habit of pacing while the wheels in his head were turning.

  “Okay, so I’m assuming you have a few other options in your back pocket, right?”

  “Uh-huh.” She drew out the word.

  Nate must have sensed her hesitancy because he glanced over at her at the same time he sidestepped a rush of sea-foam-coated water.

  “I have a backer, someone who will give me the money flat out. Under our own terms.”

  “But?”

  “But I’m not sure I want to go that route. I want this on my own.”

  “And somehow taking Sal’s offer means you’re not doing that?”

  Sofía narrowed her eyes at Nate, annoyed by his keen perception.

  “Why would I not guess it’s him?” Nate’s shoulders lifted and dropped in a “Duh!” shrug. “The guy’s like a father to you. How many times have you told me Sal and Vivi are familia? Believe me, I understand how much your familia, in all its forms, means to you.”

  Disappointment burned in Sofía’s chest. Not too long ago, Nate had been included in that group.

  “Here’s the thing.” Nate grasped her elbow, drawing her to a stop. Warmth seeped up her arm at his touch. “As much as they say, ‘it’s business, not personal,’ that’s not always the truth. Trust is personal. And when you go into business with someone, you’ve gotta be able to trust them.”

  His hand slid from her elbow up her arm to cup her shoulder. Sofía grabbed onto her tote bag straps, desperately fighting the urge to place her hands at his waist and lean into his embrace.

  “When it comes to business, there’s no one you trust more than Sal, right?”

  He gazed down at her intently. His expression serious.

  Somehow, she felt like this was a trick question. Confused, uncertain why that would be true, she nodded.

  Nate let out a little huff of breath, his mouth grim. He stepped back, breaking their connection. “Then you have to ask yourself—is your pride in wanting your name to be the one listed as main investor on the loan more important than partnering with someone you have one hundred percent confidence in?”

  Without another word, he turned to start walking again. They neared the part of the beach that curved to the northeast side of the island. Out of habit for her, and probably based on memory for him, they made their way up the dry sand to the walkway leading from the beach to Old Mill Drive and Tía Mili’s condo.

  When they reached the sidewalk, Nate held out her black heel. “You deserve to win this, Sof. Others might try to make it difficult for you, but don’t let pride stop you from getting what you want. What we both know you’ve worked hard for.”

  He leaned down to brush a kiss along her left cheek. “Give Tía Mili my best. See you around.”

  Before she could recover from her surprise—at both his words of encouragement and the rush of desire that suffused her body the instant his lips touched her skin—Nate strode away.

  A lump of mixed emotions clogging her throat, Sofía watched him go.

  He was dangerous that one. Dangerous to her heart and her peace of mind. She’d do well to remember that and keep her distance.

  “You want another, or are you good?”

  Nate glanced up from staring into his nearly empty whiskey glass to find Delilah Firth a few feet away from his stool.

  The young single mom who worked behind the bar at Scallywags popped the caps off two beer bottles with an easy flick of her wrist. She set the drinks at the end of the bar for a waitress, going about her business without trying to up-sell him anything.

  He liked the redhead’s style. Her friendly eyes and quick smile led to easy conversation when he was in the mood to talk, but she had a good feel for when her patrons were here for the drinks and not idle chatter. Like him, tonight.

  “I’m good, thanks,” he answered.

  Delilah jutted her chin in acknowledgement, then pulled the tap handle with a local Gainesville brewery’s logo to fill a pint glass.

  Across the bar, a throaty laugh drew his attention. He couldn’t ignore Sofía’s presence even if he tried.

  She and the rest of the girls sat at their regular table. Talking, eating, comfortable with each other in a way that spoke of shared experiences. It was almost like back in the day when he’d catch up to them gathered at Delightful Scoops or Deli 2389. Only, Lily was missing. An empty chair amongst them.

  The other night, it’d been filled by the surfer-looking guy who had come with Jenna. Tonight, she’d arrived alone, although she’d spent most of the evening eyeing the door.

  Empty appetizer plates and utensils along with glasses that had once held water, soda, or bar drinks
littered their table’s surface. Lauren said something Nate couldn’t hear, and Sofía’s full lips curved. The smile crinkled the corners of her hazel eyes. Head tilted to the side, Sofía’s hair draped down her arm and along the curve of her breast in a silky black curtain.

  Damn, she was so beautiful it made his heart ache. She looked relaxed, the distress he’d seen earlier on the beach dissipated thanks to her friends. As much as he wanted to do that for her, it was good to know the girls were there.

  Nate drained the last sip of his whiskey. The liquid burned a trail down his throat, seeping into his chest. Just like the slow burn he had always carried for Sofía.

  Walking along the water with her today had given him a bittersweet taste of what they’d once shared. Starting when they’d been young and carefree, and continuing into their adult lives.

  Their conversation had always been easy. Sure, they sidestepped a topic or two, namely his dad’s unyielding expectations. Nate had done his best to always be an honest opinion she could rely on, especially when it came to business advice. She had occasionally challenged him to act on his idea to create a boutique hotel division within Hamilton, Inc. Since their breakup, he’d gone full steam ahead with it, only to be hit with roadblock after roadblock by his father.

  For years, Nate had towed the line when it came to family business. Making waves outside the office where his father rarely paid him any attention. Until the old man had handed down his “propose to Melanie” edict.

  Recalling that whole fiasco nearly had Nate signaling for another whiskey. Ashamed about how he’d allowed his mother to convince him the arrangement was for the best. In the secret part of his soul, he admitted to himself that he had wanted Sofía to tell him not to do it. Hoped she would have given him some kind of sign, encouraging him to fight for them.

  But she hadn’t.

  She pushed him away with that damn “no-strings-attached” promise.

  Foolishly, he and Melanie had gone along with the engagement. Pretending it would be okay. Tip-toeing around the truth they read in the other’s eyes. Wanting to cry foul and call the whole thing off.