AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The guy leaned on the counter and tugged at his chin. The wheels were spinning. I could feel it. Hell, I could practically see it. “I guess this could work.” He shrugged then glanced at his friends. They both nodded in agreement.
Then I noticed one of them looked positively green. “Down the hall, first door on the left.” He hesitated for half a second, then rushed away to the bathroom as I’d directed.
The guy in front of me seemed to be struggling not to smile. The corners of his mouth twitched. Finally, he grinned and shook his head. “His uncle died.” Apparently, this was an explanation. “He has been drinking away his sorrows. I think the car ride did him in.”
“Ah, where are you from?” I held out my hand. “License and credit card, please.” When he passed them, I inspected both quickly before handing them over to the girl actually running the desk. “Tyler George.” He had yet to respond. Instead, he stood there with his eyebrows peaked. I studied the driver’s license. “Outside of L.A.,” I noted.
“Are you familiar with the area?” He stared back seriously.
I frowned. “Not really. I almost went to art school out there.” I shrugged. I’d already said too much. The last thing I needed to do was start getting personal with the guests. Father would have a conniption. “What brings you here?” I hoped to distract him and change the subject.
He sighed. “Bad break up.” Mr. George rested his elbows on the counter again. “I don’t suppose you have a recipe for healing.”
“You could try my method I suppose,” I joked.
“Oh? And what’s that?” He eyed me curiously.
I leaned in conspiratorially and motioned for him to come closer. When he did, I whispered, “I don’t date.” Then I winked playfully. I thought he might laugh, but instead his jaw hung open. Finally, I stared and he snapped it shut.
“No dating. Huh. Why didn’t I think of that?” He scratched at his chin.
“Because you like women too much and you’re determined to have a better life than your parents,” his friend mumbled under his breath. His words earned him a punch in the shoulder.
“Thanks for that, Harry,” he grumbled. Then he stared at me sadly. “So how many cool points did I lose?”
I laughed. “None.” He brightened some. “Of course, you hadn’t earned any yet.” Then before I could get wrapped up in a conversation I shouldn’t be having with a man I didn’t need to be talking to, I turned to the clerk. “I think you can take it from here.”
I smiled at the men briefly. “Please, enjoy your stay.” Then I started toward the door to go back to my office, but they stopped me again.
“Miss?” Mr. George waited for me to turn.
“Yes?” I refused to step closer. I couldn’t get sucked in.
“I don’t suppose you know if the owner is here today?” He peeked at his phone. “Mr. James Nash.”
I licked my lips. “I’m afraid he’s gone for the day.” At least I didn’t have to lie. While I could work twelve hour days, my father no longer lingered around the hotel longer than eight. Most days, that was pushing it.
“Is there any chance he’ll be in tomorrow?” He stared at his phone.
“None.” I laughed. “He never comes in on Sundays.”
“Do you know who I need to speak to in order to set up a meeting with him?” He had both hands on his phone as if he were ready to send a text.
Inside, I sighed. Outwardly, I nodded. “Actually, you’d set that up with me, but I’m away from my desk and can’t look at his calendar right now.”
Mr. George tilted his head. “So, are you his executive assistant?”
I smiled sweetly. “Something like that.” I glanced at the clerk. “Can you please pass Mr. George my card?” Then I addressed him once more. “If you’d like to call on Monday morning, we’ll talk more then.” I made it as far as the door. My fingers had wrapped around the handle when I realized I had an astonishing lack of curiosity. I whipped back around, hoping they hadn’t left the front desk yet. “Oh, Mr. George? I forgot to ask about the nature of the meeting?”
“Sure.” He smiled widely. “I’d like to buy the place.”
5
Ty
As I walked away, I studied the card the clerk had passed me. Her name was Kate Summers. I couldn’t help but think it was a fitting name. When she smiled, she positively lit up a room. When she frowned, the world seemed somehow darker. This woman was positively intriguing and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wanted to get to know her better.
“What are you thinking?” Harry pushed the button for the elevator.
