Free Can't Help Falling In Love by Cheryl Harper Page B

was best for her was a man who would at least try for
     fidelity, even if he didn’t have hotels in Hawaii. In one of her rare fits of stubborn
     independence, she’d decided she deserved a chance to find out. Since she’d ended the
     engagement by telling Stevie exactly what she thought about his plans at the weekly
     family business meeting, her father had been looking for a place to send her. And
     here she was. Wishing she was about to go on a date. Dates led to relationships, so
     it was good it was out of the question. A fling, though… that was different.
    Rocking the Whitmore boat was one thing.
    Could she give herself permission for a fun fling too?
    She ran her hand down Misty’s silky neck and tried to ignore the sadness that came
     with the realization that, no matter how much smarter it was not to get involved,
     this “date” really was about business at the heart of it.
    But if she could just get over her minor moral qualms, this would be a blast. Seducing
     Tony had benefits other than getting an inside peek at the hotel. The only question
     was whether she had the guts to go for it.
    “Ready?” Tony’s voice brought her back to the real world.
    Randa bent to kiss Misty’s head right between her fluttering bows, making sure to
     straighten her legs and stand slowly so that Tony got the full effect of everything
     she was working with.
    She slowly spun around to face him and nearly tumbled right off her heels when she
     saw he wasn’t even looking at her. Instead he was leaning over the front desk reading
     something Laura was holding.
    “Yeah, we’re short in housekeeping tomorrow. I’ll help after my shift’s up, maybe
     take up some of the slack. I think we’ll still be ready by check-in.”
    Randa crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the marble. Tony didn’t
     even glance her direction. Misty stretched out and rested her chin on Randa’s foot,
     stilling the beat of her righteous indignation. She fumed loudly in his direction,
     but she didn’t disturb the dog.
    Laura shook her head. “We’ve got to get some people hired. You can’t keep picking
     up all the slack, Tony.”
    He shrugged a shoulder. “Two interviews scheduled tomorrow. Maybe they’ll both work
     out for something.”
    Laura nodded. “Right. And the new front desk guy starts training tonight. That’ll
     help.”
    And they both said, “And Willodean will be back on Saturday.” It had the sound of
     something they’d been repeating to each other as encouragement for a while. Like everything
     would be better with Willodean.
    Being that appreciated must be nice.
    Laura waved her hands at Tony. “Go on. Get. Go get your books. I’ll ask KT if he can
     help out in the morning. He’s in town for a few days.”
    Tony raised an eyebrow. “Good with a toilet brush, is he?”
    “Not exactly.” Laura laughed. “I won’t tell him that part. You want help, don’t you?”
    Tony shrugged. “Don’t know how much help he’ll be, but I’d really like to see it.
     Call him. And maybe call the woman at the temp agency.” Laura looked like she was
     going to protest. “I know! This is not a permanent solution, hence the name ‘temp.’”
    Laura grumbled. “Fine. It’s just that when the expansion kicks in, we’re going to
     need trained staff on hand and—”
    “We better go if we want to beat the traffic. Place closes at six anyway,” Tony said
     as he slid on his sunglasses. Randa tried not to look too interested in whatever the
     expansion plans were. More hotel rooms? Not that it would have mattered. Tony was
     at the sliding doors before he even noticed she was stuck to the marble floor.
    “Sorry, Misty. Gotta go now.” Randa carefully slid her foot out from under Misty’s
     chin and did her best to slink across the lobby. She couldn’t read the expression
     on Tony’s face and his eyes were hidden behind dark lenses. Still, when he put a hand
     at the small of her back to guide her