She did not hum this time. I didn’t like that.
I returned to my study. I opened a file, yet I didn't read it.
I disliked that I cared whether she laughed in my house. I disliked that I had caused her to stop. And I disliked, most of all, that I wanted to go downstairs and fix it.
6
RAPHAEL
The week progressed, and my attention did not improve. Luckily, Chandler and Geoffrey had been working for me so long that my life ran like a well-oiled machine. Still, I did have a hotel opening within a year that required my focus. I took a sip of coffee while attempting to focus on my morning meeting.
“Columbus permits cleared this morning.” Chandler stood across from my desk, reviewing projections with practiced ease. “The atrium redesign is approved. Pittsburgh occupancy is up another two percent. Cincinnati stable. Toledo is in due diligence.”
I nodded.
“Timeline for Columbus completion?” There had been a few hang-ups with the new project. I was hoping we could get back on track.
“Four months if contractors behave.”
“They won’t,” I said, looking at the calendar one last time.
He smiled faintly. “They rarely do.”
I should have been fully engaged.
This was an expansion. There was a strategy to consider. Measured growth across Ohio and Pennsylvania. Controlled risk. Controlled reward.
Instead, I was watching the window, wondering when Belle would be here. It was entirely unacceptable. Movement at the gates caught my attention. I think an actual smile twitched at the sight of a purple van rolling down the drive.
It parked in the same place it had every day this week.
Engine cut.
The driver’s door opened.
She stepped out.
I recognized the rhythm of it now. The way she tugged the handle twice to ensure the latch caught. The brief pause to adjust her bag.
She didn’t rush.
She didn’t hesitate.
She simply entered space as though it belonged to her.
Chandler followed my gaze. “Is she here for the basement project?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You could hire three people to finish it faster.”
“That is unnecessary.”
He said nothing more.
The side entrance opened. She disappeared inside. I returned my attention to the report.
“Akron occupancy,” I prompted.
