Page 23 of Night and Day

He shrugged. “Why do people get married in the first place? Anyway, I calmed her down and gave her the number of a good divorce lawyer. Plus, a free cocktail.”

And avoided a scene. I thanked the hotel gods every day for Enzo Rossi turning up here looking for work two years ago. “Thank you.”

“Tessa!” Lara jogged over from the reception desk. Her face was pale and pinched.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She licked her lips. “I just got a call.”

I waited. “And?”

She dragged in a breath.

“Langston is on his way,” Coral yelled from the desk. “It’s got her panties in a twist.”

A muscle ticked in my eye. I focused on Lara. “What?”

“He’s coming. Here.”

There went my dream that he’d forgotten about us. “When?”

“Now,” Lara squeaked.

My spine stiffened, but I kept my face blank. “Is he driving up?”

My receptionist shook her head. “Helicopter, with two of his executive team. He’ll be here in forty minutes.”

Oh, hell. “Talk to Chef. Have him on standby to do a nice lunch for them.”

Lara nodded.

“What do you need from me?” Enzo asked.

I rubbed my temple. “Just do your thing and keep things running smoothly. Spread the word that Langston is on the way, and everyone is to be on their best behavior.”

“You got it.”

I quickly finished my walkthrough, my gut churning. It was going to be fine. He’d listen. He was an excellent businessman. But I knew from his one visit that he was also like a contained storm. A handsome, arrogant one.

He was intelligent, but from the two hours I’d spent with him, not to mention his overbearing emails, I got the impression he didn’t see people or care about them. He just saw cogs that he expected to carry out their function. He had his eye on the prize, on the next acquisition.

I’d hopednotto deal with him again.

I figured he’d be involved in the purchase, then hopefully leave us alone. It was a pipe dream, but still, the girl could hope.

I crossed the great room. It was one of my favorite places in the hotel. The huge stone fireplace was striking but welcoming, and large chandeliers glittered overhead. I loved the space. It acted as our casual lounge, where guests could relax, get a casual meal or drink. Out the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, the green-covered mountains beckoned.

My real fear was that Langston was coming here and that he’d tear out everything good. He’d leave the place shiny and soulless, and worse, lay off good people.

I straightened my shoulders. I was the manager. My people depended on me.

Then a thought hit me.

The owner’s office hadn’t been cleaned out. Crap, I’d been storing holiday decorations in there.

I hurried into the office area.

Sierra stepped out of her office. “Tessa, you need to sign these forms?—”