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Ugh, who the heck knows? He can’t be staying here for long. As long as I watch myself around corners and avoid everyone with a blond gentleman’s cut, I think I’ll be fine.
Thankfully, I don’t see the rude guy around the place for the rest of the day. A huge reason for that is because Mondays are my busiest dog-walking days. I get to spend the entire day away from concierge responsibilities, wearing the clothes I want to wear, and hanging out with the best dogs anyone could find.
Seriously, humans don’t deserve the sweet, unconditional love that dogs give.
I never run with any of them because I always worry about them getting away by accident. The exception is Rudy, a German Shepherd. His owner taught Rudy to stay with whoever has his lead in his hand. It doesn’t even have to be attached! As long as you’re holding it, he won’t leave your side.
Halfway through our afternoon walk, I can see him getting restless like he wants to pick up the pace and have a run. When I see the beach is pretty empty near the shoreline, as a majority of people are out getting lunch, I decide to make an exception.
“Hey, Rudy,” I say, watching his ears perk up. “Wanna…race?”
He stops dead in his tracks before furiously chasing his tail—then stopping mid-stride, waiting for me to give the OK.
“You have to stay with me, remember?” I say, waving his leash in my hand. He barks in response and looks down the nearly empty stretch of beach.
I give a countdown and the second I take off in a jog, he takes off, bolting ahead of me at first, then slowing down until I catch up. I can tell he wants to sprint, to run as fast as he can, but there’s no way I could keep up with him.
As I run as fast as my legs will go, Rudy is in stride next to me, barking every step of the way. We race until my lungs begin to burn and I have to slow down.
He runs circles around me as I slow to a stop, resting my hands on my knees until I can catch my breath. I think I’m good to go again, but one wobbly step brings me flat on my butt.
Rudy rushes over to me, furiously licking my face as if he’s checking my vitals. This dog would jump into a pool to save his owner from drowning, for sure.
“I’m good, I promise,” I insist, trying to push him off. “I just tripped, buddy,” I giggle, when he goes for my ears. It’s only when I give him ear scratches that he calms down and sits next to me, watching the waves again.
When I thought about having a guy to walk on the beach with, I didn’t have this in mind. But still, he’s got a cute face and adorable personality. And I never have to worry about his saying the wrong thing.
“See, who needs men when there are good boys like you?”
Chapter seven
Drew – Who is She?
This place isn’t as bad as I thought it would be but it could be so much better. It’s a decent size and from what I’ve seen, it seems to be at 70-80% capacity. The close proximity to the beach has its advantages, but the place needs some love.
The white three-story structure still stands strong but I can tell time and the salt air have done it damage. The baby blue sign with gold lettering outside is heavily chipped and faded, along with the hotel’s paint job.
The seaside rooms need their salt-rusted iron balcony railings replaced. They have been covered in white paint, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not a good look with the rust blushing through
At the same time, the guests don’t really seem bothered by little details like those. They’re probably distracted by the beauty all around.
I’ve got a decent lay of the land and the outdoor amenities. I feel like it’s pointless to have a pool at a hotel that’s right on the beach, but I guess some people still hate the sand as much as I do.
My first day spent by the pool was better than expected. I would grade the small bar’s cocktails and the inn’s towel service an A-. Not a bad start.
I can’t help but laugh at the group bike tours of the town hosted by the inn. The flyer for it looks like something out of a cheesy movie where somehow, every single person is smiling. There’s no way that’s normal. Still, I guess if there’s a demand for such things, it can only do the place some good.
I make a mental note of the bike tours, as the Bellamy Hotel Chain hasn’t had many properties that offer tours of the area like that. It beats driving around all day, and little kids can be towed behind on their parent’s bikes. It’s something everyone can join in on as long as they don’t need training wheels. Okay, maybe this place can work.
I’ll focus more on the inside during the rest of the week and see how efficiently the services are carried out. They don’t have room service, but the small restaurant cafe has its charm. I try my best to think about logistics, and what the Bellamy brand would do for—and to—this place, but despite my best efforts, I can’t stop thinking about her.
The woman with the big dog has been impossible to spot since we bumped into each other (literally) at the elevators. I still blame her and the dog for the tumble but man, her feistiness left an impression on me that’s impossible to ignore. Part of me expects to run into her again at every turn.
I catch myself, realizing how stupid I sound thinking she’d even want to see me again. But…a guy could hope. Maybe I would get lucky and get a second chance to make a good impression.
Her boldness was unexpected. She had this fire in her eyes I can’t say I’ve seen anywhere else. She doesn’t hold back her opinions, like everyone else around me but my siblings.
Maybe that’s because she doesn’t know who the hell I am. I’m so accustomed to people putting on a mask around me and acting so eager to please and say all the right things. But this woman didn’t care if she pleased me, or if she looked like a crazy person while telling me off.
