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“Right now, I just want to work.” After a deep breath, she gestured to a large wall calendar marked with various colors. “There’s a lot going on this week at the Biscayne. I’d rather focus on that, keep my mind busy until I feel ready to face all this…this shit in my personal life about the fire.”
She cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Actually…now that you’re here, there are a few things I need you to approve at the hotel. You up for it?”
She could’ve asked me to take her to Antarctica and I would have said yes.
“I am if you are.”
* * *
I knewTina was talented when I hired her for the job, but this was amazing.
We stepped into the lobby, and I surveyed the work. It was nearly complete now, but the cool elegance of the space made one thing clear. I’d underestimated her talent.
“This is perfect,” I murmured, more to myself than her. My mind was already running through ideas to have Miranda look into, perhaps purchase outdated properties in other cities to renovate in a similar fashion.
“You really think so?”
Tina joined me and stood at my side near the hotel check-in counter.
“I do. I love it. You’ve really outdone yourself.”
A relieved smile spread across her face and her eyes lit with satisfaction. “I thought so, but I’m a little biased.”
“You’ve got every reason to be proud.”
Two workers were busy polishing the mahogany wood of the counter to a high gloss shine.
“You have it looking like new,” I murmured.
“That’s not me.” She rocked back on her heels. “I’ve got connections. We could have been done a week sooner if we’d scrapped that old wood and gone with something new, but that would’ve been a crime.”
“I agree.” Walking over to the grand staircase, I eyed the handrail. “This isn’t the same, is it? The original railing was missing on this side.”
“Yeah.” Tina waved a hand at the far railing. “The other had dry rot. The entire staircase had to be redone. It’s a little lavish, but it fits with the overall design scheme.”
“It sure does. It fits perfectly.” I looked upward to
On the landing, halfway to the mezzanine, there was a table placed exactly under an elaborate crystal chandelier. A tall vase, filled with roses, was centered on the table, completing the look and tying it together with the rich mahogany of the railing and check-in counter.
“The roses and table might be a bit much.” Tina wrinkled her nose. “But I wanted to see how it would look.”
“I’m glad you did it.” Turning to face her, I said, “I want you to sign on to complete the job.”
She blinked. “Complete the…wait, you mean the entire hotel?Thatjob?”
“Yes. Are you interested?”
“Interested?” She gaped. “You mean the jobhere?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t stop smiling. Her excitement was contagious. “That is if you want it.”
She laughed, the sound high and nervous. Turning away, she shoved a hand through her hair. “I’ve never doneanythinglike this.”
“That’s not true. You did this lobby. The hotel is just on a larger scale.”
“Ha, ha.” Turning back, she locked her gaze with mine. “Are you doing this because I’m your girlfriend?”
Girlfriend.