Page 31 of Accidental Getaway
“Look, it’s not a big deal. Malcolm’s father, Carlisle, has done the US marketing for our wineries for twenty years. I asked if he could take a look at the Omorfiá as a personal favor. Next thing I knew, Malcolm was volunteering for the job.”
By now, I’m feeling like I really shouldn’t be anywhere near this conversation. Both Psomas men have stiffened and reddened, seemingly in a standoff. I stare at my feet, wishing I could disappear.
“I have years of experience in luxury hotel marketing with properties much larger than this,” Malcolm chimes in. “I’m sure you’ll find that we have every resource you could possibly want and a team of associates willing to work around the clock to meet your needs.”
Niko rubs his forehead, pushing his hair back. “I’m sure you do.”
Niko barely takes his eyes off his father. I want to grab his hand and tell him it’s okay. He doesn’t need to defend me. All three men are staring at each other, digging in their feet.
“How about this?” Niko’s dad finally breaks the silence.
“On Monday, both of them can make their proposals and we’ll vote—you, me, and the four other members of the board.
Then we’ll decide. But if you are ready to stop playing dress-up, or whatever this is, and take your hotel seriously, you should strongly consider my recommendation. ”
He turns away from us and our duck board.
“Malcolm, let’s continue our tour.”
“It was great to meet you,” Malcolm says to Niko. “And, Jenni, it was nice to see you, too, as always.”
The two of them walk back out toward the lobby, leaving Niko and me behind in silence. He turns around, making fists with both hands.
“Niko? Are you all right?”
“Yes,” he says, without turning around. “I’m fine. He just always does this.”
He takes a minute before turning around, and when he does, his faces softens immediately. “You look like a ghost. Are you okay? It was wildly inappropriate for him to talk down about you like that. I’m so sorry.”
His dad clearly has zero respect for me. I don’t stand a chance on Monday. Niko starts pacing back and forth across the hallway. If he notices I haven’t responded, he doesn’t let on. I grab the tripod and then the photo board, putting them back in the closet to keep my hands busy.
“I mean, the nerve. To show up here, when I explicitly told him I didn’t want to use one of his big flashy firms? And that guy? Are you kidding me? He looked like he was straight out of Mad Men .”
I need to say something. It’s starting to get weird that I haven’t opened my mouth since we were laughing and taking pictures. “He does pride himself on first impressions …”
Niko stops and faces me. “Wait. He said it was nice to see you, ‘as always.’ Do you know him?”
Crap. Why did I remind him of that? There is no way this ends well.
“We’ve met. I was an intern at his firm a few years ago. We crossed paths a bit.”
My head is spinning. I absolutely, resolutely cannot give him any more information about my past with Malcolm.
“That’s so weird. What are the chances?” Niko’s phone rings. “It’s Ana. She must be ready. Should we go wait for her in the lobby?”
I realize this is my chance. The only one I’m going to have before things get any worse. Because now that I know Malcolm is here with Niko’s dad—on special favor to the board—there is absolutely no way that I can be with Niko. It will only end badly, with Malcolm humiliating both of us.
“Actually Niko, we need to talk.”
“What’s up? ”
I swallow, hard. This is going to be absolutely miserable. “I think I made a mistake the other day.”
My words hang between us. Niko’s face drops, but his eyes never leave mine, as if he is waiting for what he knows is coming.
“I lost track of why I’m here. You are great, and I think what you are doing here is amazing.
But I … I’ve made this mistake of getting involved at work before, and it didn’t turn out so well.
I need to remain professional—keep focused on the job at hand—so that we both get what we want. ”
Niko’s eyebrows are pinched together, and for a second, I think his eyes are clouded with pain. Remorse, maybe? But just as quickly, he straightens, wiping all emotion from his face.
“Is this about last night? The second I introduced you to my dad’s accountant, I regretted how I did it. I just kind of freaked out. My dad really rattles me. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was hiding this thing between us. I just didn’t think he was a safe person to tell.”
His words are rushed, like he is desperate for me to hear them all. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. If only that was the problem.
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong,” I tell him. “I just need to focus. And I think it would be better for everyone involved if we don’t go into that meeting on Monday as anything more than business associates. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression and doubt our ability to work together.”
Niko runs his hands through his hair, a look of sorrow crossing his face. My heart tightens as guilt washes over me. I don’t want to hurt him. But when he straightens, the look is gone, replaced by one of surety.
“Of course. I understand. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m so sorry if I made you feel taken advantage of. That was never my intention.”
Ugh, even when I’m breaking things off with him he wants to make sure I’m okay. It’s such a cruel joke that when I finally find a good man, circumstances completely beyond my control are keeping us apart.
“You didn’t. I promise,” I say. “I have no hard feelings. But … I should probably go. I hope you have a good dinner with Ana, and please talk to her about the job. She’ll be happy.”
Niko reaches out, as if not ready to let me go. “Wait, will I still see you at the party?”
Alexander’s party. A kernel of sunshine in this complete disaster. The reminder that most people are good, even though I can’t seem to shake the worst one.
“Yes. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll be there.”
Piper: Hey hot shot! No updates tonight? Miss you!