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Sophia’s eyes are still on mine, unflinching. Reminding me that this woman had lied her way to a keycard just to confirm her husband’s infidelity. There’s steel beneath her impeccably tailored dress.
“Sometimes, Mr. Winter,” she says, “people closest to an issue are the last people to see it clearly. Forest for all the trees, and all that.”
I have to grind my teeth together to keep from smiling. “Interesting saying, that one.”
She nods, lips softening in a half-smile. “Trust me to take your words seriously. But I also hope you’ll trust us to give you a pitch we are confident can work.”
“Mhm,” I say. “Come on, let me show you the newly renovated gym.”
By the time we return to the conference room, Sophia is brimming with increasingly ambitious ideas, and I have a meeting I can’t push back any further. I leave her to her team and my associates, and she sits down at her notes without a second glance in my direction.
Stupid,I think as I walk away, tugging at the collar of my pressed shirt. I never get involved. I never cross lines, and I’m never bothered by inconvenient attractions.Stupid and unnecessary.
The woman has nothing but negative associations with the Winter Hotel. I’m not going to give her another.
* * *
It’s much later that night when I walk through the staff corridor. The executive offices are all closed for the day, and my office is the only one with the lights still on. Construction is halfway through on our new Caribbean location and I’ve been going over images and notes from our contractor.
Taki’s for Thai, or Flake’s again for a steak and potato gratin. Those are the options. I’m halfway through dialing the number to Taki’s when I pass the conference room.
The lights are still on.
I pause. “Sophia?”
She looks up at me. She’s wearing a pair of glasses, a new addition, and her ponytail has given way to a messy bun. A few strands frame her face.
“Oh, hello.” She pulls off her glasses with a chagrined smile. “I had to take out my contacts.”
“You’re still working?”
She nods. “We got so much great information today. We’re technically not in the brainstorming phase yet, but I couldn’t resist staying a bit longer to gather my thoughts.”
I frown. “Have you eaten anything?”
“Yes,” she says. “Your team got us food from The Ivy.”
“That was hours ago, for lunch.” I glance over at the door to the main staircase. “Do you like Asian fusion?”
“Yes.”
“Consider this research too, then.” I grab my phone and call up to the top floor.
Jake answers on the second signal. “Boss?”
I can hear the sound of the busy restaurant in the background. “I need a tasting menu for two delivered to the staff corridor. We’re in the conference room.”
“Got it. Wine?”
I look at Sophia and consider the question. She’s scribbling something on her notepad, and then she digs her teeth into her full lower lip, and I know I’m going to hell. “Yes.”
“It’ll be there in ten.”
“Thanks.” I hang up and meet the incredulous look of the woman across the table. “Everything all right?”
“Yes,” she says, and then she shakes her head. “Was that Room?”
“Yes.”
