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I slowed my pace as I neared the double doors thrown open, as staff hurried in and out, taking care of last-minute touches.
The Henderson/Garcia rehearsal dinner was an intimate affair with only twenty guests, including the bride and groom-to-be. Tomorrow, the happy couple would exchange rings at the Emerald Pavilion before moving to the Diamond Gallery for the reception. It was the largest ballroom in the entire facility, and since the hotel was also catering at the wedding reception, the profit margin was a number that made me smile.
It all amazed me. The echo of the skinny kid I once was looked around and shook his head. It was a million miles away from the impoverished neighborhood where I grew up.
“Everything seems to be going well.”
As if she’d sensed I was thinking about her, Charity Jones, the Lux Hotel’s head of event coordination, had appeared next to me.
“Yes.” I nodded.
She tapped an ink pen against the planner she always carried on her person. “We really should have pushed harder for them to have ordered the hotel’s catering service.”
I didn’t bother looking away from the flowing rhythm in the banquet hall. “Keeping the customer happy is part of the package, Ms. Jones.”
“Of course. But the packages that offer catering from the hotel would bring an extra—”
Turning my head, I looked at her.
She stopped talking mid-sentence.
It wasn’t an uncommon reaction around me. I didn’t set out to outright intimidate people into silence, but since it often worked to my benefit, I didn’t mind when it happened.
“As we discussed, when putting packages together for the events portfolio, we need to maintain excellent flexibility for our patrons, Ms. Jones.”
I knew to the nickel the difference between packages with or without catering included. I also knew that with wedding parties, in particular, it was essential to cater to the customers’ needs and wishes. It’s the one moment in life they overspend without hesitating. Big time. More money than they’d ever imagined. And I’d like to make friends with people when they splurge.
“Of course, Maximus. I…am going to check in with Shirlene and see how she’s doing.” Charity gave me a polite smile and hurried off down the hall.
No, she wanted to get away from me.
That was obvious.
It wasn’t much of a shock.
I can be an asshole sometimes. I know.
I didn’t particularly mind or care. So what if people didn’t like me, especially those who worked for me? Respect my authority and do the damn job. That’s it. And in Charity’s case, stop pouting.
Pushing away from the wall, I walked to the banquet room. An enticing scent filled the air, reminding me I hadn’t eaten in hours.
“Excuse me.”
“Certainly.” I stepped aside without looking at the owner of the sultry voice.
But as the woman strode past me, I discovered something even more enticing than the delectable food teasing my stomach.
The woman.
With brisk, serene confidence, she walked with one hand holding a cellphone to her ear, the other brushing back her short hair.
She had an amazing ass.
Interest stirred.
Turn around, sweetheart.
She didn’t. Instead of reading my mind, she walked straight to the double doors on the far side of the banquet hall.