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He walked up behind her with a pillow and blanket and whispered, “You’ve got about ten minutes, if you want to snooze a little more.”
“I don’t think I can sleep now. My heart’s beating kind of fast.”
“Mine, too.” His breath on her ear sent a chill down her spine.
Anne unpacked in her room at the Bellevue Palace, pausing long enough to admire the accommodations. She hadn’t done a lot of traveling, but this was by far the nicest hotel she’d ever seen. Her room was small, but nicely decorated and furnished with pieces that looked custom rather than mass-produced. A relaxing blue color coated the walls, and the queen bed was covered with a lovely duvet. There was marble in the bathroom, and a guest bathrobe hung in the closet. Anne thought she’d be quite comfortable here, noting her view was similar to that of her New York apartment. She quickly freshened up and changed clothes, preparing for a long day working with Jared and Gherring in his suite on the top floor.
When Anne knocked on Gherring’s door, Jared opened it with a broad smile.
“Wait ‘til you see this room—it’s awesome. It’s even got bullet-proof glass. There’re two bathrooms. And there’s a view of the Bernese Alps over the Aare River. Come see.”
Anne followed Jared through the suite, allowing him to give her the grand tour. His enthusiasm was contagious and Anne had the same sensation she’d gotten when visiting Gram at her estate. It was rather dream-like and surreal. She observed Gherring’s amused expression as Jared exclaimed about all the great features of the Presidential Suite.
“The view is gorgeous,” she agreed. “But I really love the chandelier and all the furniture. Are you sure it’s okay to sit on this stuff?”
Gherring gave her a bemused smile. “We could order up a metal folding chair for you if you’d be more comfortable.”
Anne had already stretched out on the couch with her laptop in her lap. “Nope, I’m fine right here.” Then a terrible thought occurred. “Oh no—did Katie change the reservation for the meeting room to tomorrow?”
“Ms. Carson has taken care of all those changes with the hotels and the companies. You need to concentrate on the presentation. We can’t go to sleep tonight until we’re done.”
“So, I guess we’re working through lunch and dinner?” Jared asked.
“No worries. The room service here is amazing. We’ll have to hold back so we don’t eat ourselves into a stupor.”
The three started working in earnest, stopping for a quick lunch around two thirty. Anne had finished Jeff’s PowerPoint and was entering the last of Jared and Gherring’s information on slides. They were planning the logistics of the actual presentation at the meeting.
“So I guess I’m free to wander the city tomorrow.” Anne was excited about the chance to explore Bern, even by herself.
“Actually, I think I want you to be in the meeting tomorrow,” Gherring said. “I’ve found through experience a team presentation is more easily accepted. Somehow, if it seems the ideas are just coming from me, people feel defensive. So it’s very important you don’t come across as my PA. You’re a team member in the Contract, Merger, and Acquisition department, just like Jared.”
“But you and Jared will do all the talking, right?” Anne felt a little lightheaded.
“I think you should have at least a small part,” Gherring said. “Nothing to be nervous about. You can just give the introductory information, and then I’ll take over before we get to the parts where there can be questions.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have this fear of public speaking. Not a tiny little fear. It’s like the size of a planet. Maybe a solar system.”
“There are several female executives who’ll be present tomorrow. They won’t like it if you don’t say anything at all. They’ll see me as being anti-feminist and repressive. I would’ve brought Shanna Matheson if she weren’t out on maternity leave. So this could actually be a lucky thing for us.” His blue eyes bored into hers. “I won’t force you to speak if you really don’t want to.”
“I’m not refusing. I want to help, but—”
“Great, then it’s settled,” said Gherring with a satisfied smile. Anne felt her heart beating franticly, but made no further protest.
Jared, who’d been silently observing the exchange, winked at Anne. “Thanks for the lesson in negotiation, Mr. Gherring.”
When Gherring turned his back, Anne stuck out her tongue at Jared, who laughed and reciprocated in the same fashion.
By five o’clock the group, feeling stiff from inactivity, decided by consensus to take a short break. Anne slipped her coat on and walked onto the balcony to call Henri.
“I’m standing on a balcony, overlooking the river and the Alps.”
“I wish I could be there,” he said. “It kills me to know you are so close. Are you at the Bellevue Palace? That’s where he usually stays in Bern.”
“Yes—it’s amazing. We’re in the Presidential Suite.”
“We? You are staying with Gherring in his room?”
“No, don’t be silly. Jared and I are working in the suite with Mr. Gherring. I have my own room.”
