Pamela Yaye - Heat of Passion

“I can’t believe how busy it is in here,” Robyn said, noting that every table in the dining area was occupied. The patrons were a mix of silver-haired guests, well-dressed couples and young families. “It’s only eleven o’clock.”

“Welcome to my world.” Charlene glanced around her. “It’s been crazy around here all morning. Guests love the new menu, but that’s no surprise. Gabby’s a whiz in the kitchen.”

Robyn felt her cell phone vibrating inside the pocket of her blazer, but she ignored it and gave Charlene her undivided attention. “As you know, I’m planning several high-profile events, and I could really use your help finalizing details for the Dunham Foundation gala and Kim’s wedding.”

“Sure, why not? I could use the extra money, and besides, I just love weddings.” Charlene clasped her hands together and swayed from side to side to an inaudible beat. “Who knows? Maybe if I do a good job, Kim will ask me to sing at the reception. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Robyn swallowed a laugh. The hostess had a better chance of winning the Mega Millions Jackpot than performing at Kim and Jaxon’s wedding.

Charlene had few friends at the resort, but Robyn liked her good humor and positive energy. She could always count on the perky blonde for a laugh, and she was looking forward to getting to know her better. “I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you. Just swing by my office after your shift, and I’ll fill you in.”

Charlene adjusted her dress to reveal more cleavage. “Sounds good, Robyn. See ya!”

A spicy aroma wafted through the dining room, causing Robyn’s empty stomach to rumble. Deciding to order a chicken salad, she entered the lounge in search of a waiter.

Stopping abruptly, Robyn narrowed her eyes and hitched a hand to her hips. She was surprised to see Gabby and Kim sitting together at the bar. Why hadn’t they invited her for lunch? she wondered, her gaze zeroing in on them like a laser beam. And what was so funny?

Their voices were filled with enthusiasm, and their excitement was palpable. All business in a fitted black suit, her long black hair cascading down her back, Kim radiated confidence and femininity in equal measures. Just like Gabby. Pretty and petite, the Harvard graduate was often still mistaken for a college coed. Though she was casually dressed in a white T-shirt, skinny jeans and sandals, her beauty was undeniable. Her eyes were striking, her complexion flawless, and her lush auburn curls tumbled around her face every time she laughed out loud.

Robyn smiled at her friends despite her annoyance. They were probably gabbing about their fiancés, she guessed as she headed toward the chatty twosome. That’s why they had stars in their eyes and giddy expressions on their faces.

Robyn was thrilled her best friends had met their soul mates, but she couldn’t resist teasing them. “Squeal a little louder,” she joked, sidling up to the bar. “I don’t think the people across the room heard you.”

Kim and Gabby burst out laughing and greeted Robyn with one-arm hugs.

“You’re not going to believe this.” Kim’s words fell from her lips in a gush, and stars twinkled in her big brown eyes. “Yesterday, I told Jaxon how much I love sailing, and this morning, I found out he rented a fully staffed yacht to celebrate our two-month anniversary.”

Robyn whistled. “Girl, your man’s the real deal.”

“Tell me about it. I almost fell off my chair when he showed me pictures of the yacht, and he booked live entertainment, too.” Kim admired the marquise-cut diamond on her left hand, gazing at the engagement ring adoringly. “Jaxon is the love of my life and, hands down, the most romantic man I’ve ever met. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to prove I’m not dreaming.”

“Me, too!” Gabby shrieked, giving Kim a high-five. “Geoffrey means everything to me, and I cherish every moment we spend together.”

Robyn cocked her head to the right, studied her friend closely for several seconds.

Were her eyes deceiving her? Was that a love-struck expression on Gabby’s face? The trio had been besties ever since Merriweather Academy—but this was the first time she’d heard her friend gush about someone. “You sound head over heels in love.”

“I know,” Gabby said, releasing a dreamy sigh. “Isn’t it great?”

“I never thought I would feel about a man the way I do about Jaxon, and I wish that kind of love for you, too, Robyn. I hope you find your soul mate and live happily ever after.”

Robyn wanted to tell Kim about her feelings for Sean, about how much she enjoyed spending time with him but couldn’t. Kim would be upset, and Robyn didn’t want to put a wedge between them.

“Have a seat,” Gabby said, patting the empty stool beside her. “Take a break.”

“Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen, whipping up one of your new signature recipes?” Robyn asked, helping herself to a garlic shrimp from the oversize plate and popping it into her mouth. Like everything Gabby made, it was moist and full of flavor.

“I’ve worked double shifts for the last two weeks, so I’m taking the rest of the day off. I trust my staff, and I know they won’t let me down.”

Kim spooned sugar into her cup of coffee and stirred. “Robyn, sit, and I’ll fill you in on all of the latest wedding developments.”

“I have to get back to my office, but you can tell me all about it tonight.” Robyn had been looking forward to girls’ night for weeks and was excited about spending some quality time alone with her girlfriends. These days, she hardly saw Kim and Gabby—unless they were doing wedding-related stuff—and she missed seeing them outside of work. Jaxon Dunham and Geoffrey Girard were great guys with big hearts, but Robyn was tired of hearing about how wonderful they were. Tonight was supposed to be about reconnecting with her girls, not discussing floral arrangements, seating charts and honeymoon destinations.

“What time are we leaving for the Comedy Store?” Robyn asked. “I’d like to leave early so we can get good seats.”

Kim and Gabby shared a puzzled look, shifted uncomfortably on their stools.

“I thought the comedy showcase was tomorrow night,” Kim said.

Gabby nodded. “Same here. I must have gotten my days mixed up. Sorry.”

“Do you have other plans?” Robyn asked, knowing the answer to the question even before it left her mouth.

“The guys are taking us to The Tower Bar for dinner and dancing.”

“You’re more than welcome to join us,” Gabby added, wearing an apologetic smile.

To watch you coo and fawn all over your fiancé? Been there, done that, and not doing it again! Robyn decided, masking her displeasure by wearing a blank expression on her face.

“I’ll tell Jaxon to invite one of his cute investor friends, and we’ll make a night of it,” Kim proposed. “How does that sound?”

Like torture. I don’t do blind dates. Never have, never will.

Robyn felt tears sting the back of her eyes at her disappointment. What was the matter with her? Why was she getting so emotional? Why did it feel as if she was mourning the loss of a loved one?

Because you are, whispered her inner voice. You lost Kim to Jaxon and Gabby to Geoffrey and now you’re all alone.

Robyn knew she was being ridiculous, but she couldn’t change the way she felt. For more than a decade, Kim and Gabby had been her closest friends, and now they were head over heels in love and planning their lives without her. And it hurt like hell. Robyn hated to admit it, even to herself, but she was envious of the relationships Kim and Gabby had, and she secretly wondered if love was in the cards for her.

An idea came to her, one that turned her frown to a smile. Robyn considered inviting Sean to the comedy showcase, even rehearsed what she was going to say when they talked. He’d look great at her side, no doubt about it. Images of him filled her mind. She appreciated being with a man who was not only attractive but intelligent, and Sean was the total package, exactly her type. But they were friends and nothing more, and since she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression, she couldn’t ask him out.