Off the Trails by Emily Franklin

Author:Emily Franklin [Franklin, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4804-5230-5
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2013-09-30T17:17:00+00:00

15

“I’M SORRY,” DOVE SAYS, her voice soft not because she wants to appear cowardly but because she’s embarrassed.

“Well, sorry’s not going to cut it,” Gus says. “Did you see their faces? You dropped the entire tray of appetizers. Not one, not two, but the whole thing.”

Dove snaps. “No kidding. I was there. I was the one who spent my entire day prepping the food, remember?” Dove flashes back to rolling out the pastry dough so it was thin enough to see through, then spreading layers of Camembert cheese and roasted island vegetables inside. “Labor-intensive work with no payoff. Not exactly what I signed up for.” She sighs.

Gus stares at her. “Well, the owner’s not happy. I can tell you that. They’ve gone out to dinner now, but you should know you’re on probation.”

Shock rattles through Dove’s body. “Probation? I’m in culinary jail?”

“Not jail, just—”

“Just nothing. God, all I did was spill a tray. It’s no catastrophe.” Dove finishes putting away the utensils in their small drawer and then latches the cooler closed for the evening.

“Look, I told you right off—there’s no room for mistakes.” Gus’s voice softens. “You won’t be fired. Not yet, anyway. Just show her tomorrow at breakfast. Wow her with your abilities and it’ll all be fine.”

Dove purses her lips and looks down at the galley floor. “I have to mop.” Then I have to mope, she thinks. Remind me again how I got into this mess? She puts on her best fake upbeat voice. “But I’ll make sure to whip up a wonderful breakfast.”

Gus grins, oblivious to her sarcasm. “Great.”

At the dockside rotunda Harley sits in her shorts and tank top, her bare feet resting on the rungs of the stool, with a box of Mylar balloons to her left and a tank of helium to her right. On autopilot, she takes balloon after balloon and fills it, ties it closed, then secures a matching red, yellow, or green ribbon to its bottom.

This is just what Melissa needs, she thinks, looking at the bunches of floating balloons. She’s so ready for a pick-me-up. It’s hard to be the one left out—with Dove and William and me and Bug, maybe Melissa feels like the perpetual third wheel. But I’ll make it better for her. Harley smiles to herself, feeling content amid the shining foil, the calm ocean breezes, and the feelings of love she has brewing inside. Bug. Who’d have thought I’d come to some random island and find Mr. Right? The world always turns out in different ways than you think it will, and tonight will be no exception. Parties always have the potential to throw a few surprises—that’s what makes them fun. Melissa could meet the guy of her dreams tonight. Or just have a fun time and forget her job stressors.

Harley pictures dancing with Bug, his blond-tipped hair brushing gently against her face, his arms encircling her. What had he said to her this afternoon when he stopped by, surprising her with the jewelry

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