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The inside of the hotel carried the same clean lines as the glass exterior. There were no upsetting patterns. Instead, the foyer was decorated in subdued greys and white. Texture had been embraced and cushions made of different materials invited guests to relax on wide couches. Big windows let in plenty of light and Zoe noticed artwork from several local artists on the walls. Grudgingly, she had to acknowledge this place succeeded in giving the feel of a home away from home.
Hurrying forward, she forced herself to concentrate on why she was here. She had to get out of this contract. Businesswise, it would be unwise though. A contract like this would be good for her firm, the Cavallo name in her portfolio would entice more clients to make use of her interior decorating skills, etcetera, etcetera.
But, darn it, it was her company and she could still decide whether she wanted a job or not. And she didn’t want this job. She didn’t want to work with Dale. She—
Zoe stopped in her tracks. But she was over him, wasn’t she? The damn crush or whatever it had been was gone. She couldn’t turn away work like this because she was afraid she would fall for a guy. That would be ridiculous.
Besides, she probably wouldn’t have to work with him personally. Surely tycoons like the Cavallos had minions running around doing most of the work. She’d do her job, take his money, and that would be that.
With a relieved smiled, she walked up to the receptionist.
“I’m here to see Dale Cavallo,” she said to the smiling woman behind the counter.
“Yes, he’s expecting you. Please come with me, their offices are separate from the rest of the hotel.” She motioned Zoe towards the lifts.
Zoe looked around her as she followed the woman into the lift. So this was where the Cavallo brothers dreamed up plans for where their next boutique hotel would be built.
The lift doors opened on the upper floor and in front of them was a lovely room, exquisitely decorated. Here too, greys and whites were used. The whole place whispered money. Lots and lots of money. Nothing was over the top, but Zoe’s experienced eye could see the curtains, chairs, paintings, and decorations were of top quality, carefully selected to create an opulent yet welcoming ambiance.
“Beautiful,” she murmured.
The receptionist looked back at her and smiled. “It is, isn’t it? Mr. Dale Cavallo is also a well-known architect. He draws up the plans of all the hotels and does most of the interior designs himself as well.”
“Oh.” Zoe couldn’t manage more.
Dale also did the interior decorating himself. That particular piece of information had simply never come up in any conversation with her sister. But why, if he did the interior designing himself, would he need her firm?
“Mr. Cavallo said he’d meet you here in the conference room,” the receptionist said and pointed towards an open door.
“Thanks,” Zoe said and walked into the room.
She put her bag down on the first chair and took off her jacket. It was May but still warm during the day—and just thinking about seeing Dale again in a few minutes had made her hot all over.
“Hi, Zoe,” Dale said right behind her and she turned around quickly.
And there he was. Deep inside her something sighed. Resigned, she acknowledged two simple facts. One, he was drop-dead gorgeous, and two, he turned her on like no one else had ever done. Was she over her silly crush? The answer was obvious.
These were the facts and there seemed to be nothing she could do about her reaction. But she didn’t have to like it.
“Dale,” she said as coolly as she could and pulled out the chair. “Shall we begin?”
