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"We definitely don't want that, Kimberly."
I was rooted to my spot, playing with the shoulder strap of my purse.Is it just me, or did it get really warm in here?I'd unbuttoned my coat downstairs in the lobby, but I hadn't bothered to take it off. Now I really wished I had.
He opened the door, and I scooted out, walking with quick steps toward the elevator. It arrived promptly, and to my dismay, we were alone in it. That seemed to increase the tension between us tenfold.
"Tell me about the space. I want to hear your thoughts now before we get there so I can picture it before I see it," I said.
"Are you sure, or are you just trying to distract yourself?"
"Drake!”
“It’s the perfect size," he said as the door opened, "and the location is very attractive.”
“It's not within walking distance to the ski lift. I checked."
"No, but we can offer a shuttle service just like this hotel does. There is a whole debate about offering an upscale VIP transportation service, too, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. The point is, there are solutions. The property is big enough to have one of the largest spas and heated pool areas to rival The Little Nell. It can become Aspen's new hit."
"The investment required is astronomical compared to a city hotel," I argued.
We walked at an energetic pace through the streets of Aspen. The property wasn't exactly within walking distance, but we still had time, and I wanted to feel the pulse of the area. Even though I told him this was not the weekend to get an objective view, the truth was, I saw enough families with kids around to know it wasn't crowded just because couples decided to ski on Valentine's weekend.
"Do you want to take side streets or go down the main street?" Drake asked.
"Let's go down the main street."
I’d been to Aspen often for skiing, and I was familiar with the dynamics here. It seemed to be more congested than it would be during actual skiing hours. According to my research and experience, the town peaked in the afternoon when people went for lazy strolls to shop or find a restaurant, but right now it was brimming with people.
I glanced in the windows of the shops. "Thank God we have an appointment. My shopaholic gene is working overtime," I said. "I can't believe they have Hermès scarves here. I'll come back for one tomorrow."
"How did you even notice that?"
It was a valid question. There were a lot of people looking in the windows, and it caught my eye between the shoulders of two people when they shifted their positions.
"My eye is trained to spot exorbitantly priced items that are rarely in stock. This could even be a shopping destination for some tourists." I tapped my finger against my skin. "Hmm, I'm getting ideas."
"I can see that. I've got to say that would have never occurred to me. That's why we're such a good pair."
I swallowed hard, looking at him out of the corner of my eye. Had he meant that as a double entendre? Probably not. It was hard to say where we stood these days.
I sighed. "Damn it, I'm going to need a real shopping session tomorrow."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I've just seen presents for Reese, Paisley, and I think even for Lexi. It's harder to shop for my cousins' wives and fiancées because I haven't known them for too long. Well, technically, I did, but I was gone for most of that time, so I don't know what makes them tick. But we all love jewelry. We've got that in common."
He looked at me like I was speaking in pig Latin. I offered him a smile. "How about you? Want to buy something for your sister?"
He frowned. "I could, but I’ll need your help. I'm clueless."
"Don't say anything more. Shopping is one of my passions. I'd love to be a personal shopper pro bono."
"I could also try finding something for my nephew, although he's only a couple of months old," Drake said.
I stopped in my tracks, looking up at him. "Wait, you've got a baby nephew?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"You never said anything until now."
