SEVEN
As she usually liked to do in the evening, Cat settled down to watch sitcoms on the television and contemplate the nature of life, the universe, and everything. Only this evening, she found herself contemplating something else. The nature of really hot, mysterious guys who were much more than the sum of their parts.
There could be no mistaking Scott’s interest in here, nor exactly what type of an interest it was. Cat had her share of dates in college, and she had even went out with a beach guy or two since she’d taken on her job at her dad’s hotel, but she had yet to find a guy that she actually wanted to go out with more than a time or two before inevitably she figured out why he wasn’t the one for her.
Sure, everyone had flaws, but Cat had a list of a few big no-nos. First, he needed to be single. Second, he needed to be serious. And third—no games! She’d seen her best friend, Ginger, go through too many adventures with guys who were taken, guys who considered her just another flavor of the week, and guys who lied to her, to allow any guy to do the same to her. She preferred to go in with her eyes wide open and her defenses at full blast.
For example, what did she really know about Scott? Nothing at all. Well, other than that he was a hot diver who said he had a PhD. And he had a couple of friends—who very well might have been put up to it—telling her that he knew how to fly a plane and had some house in Miami? But that didn’t tell her anything about those three very important issues. So, even though he might get her pulses going, she reminded herself that she needed to be sensible. She needed to take her time and find out more.
But a rebellious little voice asked, ‘for once, don’t you wish you could stop being sensible? Just break free of the mold and take your chances, see where it goes?’
To which she responded with an emphatic ‘no!’
She was twenty-four years old. She had a long, long life ahead of her. She didn’t need to live that many years while nursing a broken heart. So she needed to keep her feet set firmly on the floor. And with that thought firmly in her head, she went to bed. Tomorrow was a big day, and she didn’t want to screw up just because she hadn’t slept. Because she really loved it there, and she wanted to stay.
*****
Aiden had learned a long time ago that procrastination liked to breed. So, bright and early the next morning, and hour before he was meant to be down at the beach with the other divers, he had something else he very much needed to do first.
Stepping into the main office, he stepped over to Kellen, who was already fast at work reading through the applications. “Say Kellen, about the young lady I was dining with yesterday? Cat Addison? I would like a look at her resume.”
“I was just having a look at it myself, sir,” said Kellen, smirking. “I figured that if the boss man singled her out, he’s either going to want to see the resume because he intends to hire her, or because he intends to weed her out. But if I were you, I would definitely keep this girl around.”
“Why?” Aide asked curiously. “What did you find out?”
“I think you should see for yourself,” he said, smiling.
Aiden skimmed over the document, becoming more impressed as he reached the bottom. “Top of her class, eh? Well, she’d suggested as much, but I assume you checked with Lafayette to make certain it was true?”
“Actually, sir, if anything the girl was being modest,” he explained. “All of her professors gave her a sterling review. If you don’t hire this girl to manage the domestic side of this resort, they you’re a total fool.”
“Never let it be said that I would discount your advice, Kellan,” said Aiden, nodding decisively. “I want you to push her through. Put her through all the paces, see if she lives up to all this hype, but by all means, do not weed her out. I believe I see all good things for Miss Addison. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal clear, sir,” he agreed.
“Good man,” he said, thumping him on the back as he turned and headed for the door. “I’ll be taking a special group with me on a reef dive this morning. We don’t expect to be back before two, but you can excuse these two men from the certifying activity. I already know they’re more than capable. I’m likely to hire them myself.”
“Yes, sir,” said Kellen, nodding. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
Aiden left, and hurried down to the beach to meet with Bob and Kevin. The two men were already wearing their wetsuits and checking each other’s gear when he arrived.
“Well, there you are, Scott,” said Bob, smirking. “We were about to give up on you.”
“I don’t know how much that good would do, since you can’t very will impress me with your diving skills if I’m not even there,” Aiden pointed out. “Forgive me, I just had to get a glimpse of the domestic class before I left the hotel. Apparently Miss Addison awakens bright eyed and bushy tailed, and ready for anything. Kellan sprang a written exam on them to weed out anyone who is incapable of reading and writing. They’ll need to actually understand the words on the computer screen if they hope to work in my lobby.”
“Yeah, that makes sense,” said Kevin, nodding. “So, come on and get your gear already, Mr. Diving Instructor. It’s a perfect day to commune with dolphins, you know?”
“I’ll be right out,” said Aiden as he headed for the gear shack. Stripping down to nothing but his trunk, he stashed his clothes in one of the lockers. Then he unlocked the drawer where he stowed his personal suit and tugged it out, sliding it on like a second skin and familiar friend. He donned his flippers and pulled on one of the harnesses, attaching a couple of full tanks before he headed back out the door.
He stood with his arms slightly spread open while Bob stepped over and checked him, making sure the tanks were properly housed and all the gauges were in working order. “Let’s check the hose, sir,” he said, and Aiden pulled on his mask, which effective plugged his nose, then stuffed the tube into his mouth. He gave a thumbs-up when he was sure he was getting enough air.
“Good, you’re both set, somebody check me too,” said Bob, and Aiden turned to examine his gauges and tubing too. When all three of them were masked and ready, they head over to the little raft that was already inflated and ready to go. Aiden waited for the others to get in, then he pushed the raft out into the water, tugging himself aboard as the other men took up their oars.
Something told him they were headed off for a glorious morning.
The sun was bright, the dolphins were playful, and the fish danced merrily around them as the three men approached the corals. Aiden was familiar enough with the scenery to recognize that the hurricane had damaged a large patch of the reef, and seeing it made him frown. However, in anticipation of just that possibility, each man had brought along a pouch so they could gather up some of the pieces that had broken off, which could then be studied or sold.
They worked on the project for over an hour, then Aiden motioned for them to head in. Bob and Kevin followed as Aiden swam back up to their raft, and each man got in. He pulled off his mask and shut off the remainder of his air, then tugged his harness free so he could return to shore comfortably. Bob tossed him one of the life jackets, and Aiden slipped it on.
“That was a lot more coral breakage than I hoped to see,” he said with a frown. “Maybe next time I’ll have Declan act like he’s giving an assignment and bring a few more guys along for the ride. There’s no sense in wasting an opportunity for profit now that the damage has already occurred.”
“Good thinking, Aiden,” said Kevin. “You may need the extra cash to help settle your divorce.”
Aiden frowned at him. “Not funny, Kev,” he grumbled. “Not funny at all.”