Page 43 of Thrill

“Make out like you’re nothing.”

His phone vibrated again. Tyler had sent a one-word answer. “Yes.”

He grinned. Maybe everyone in his life was right.

“Happy?”

“Happier with tea.”

“Thanks, I’ll have mine with toast.”

Danny grabbed a bottle of vitamins off his bedside cabinet and threw it at Ben.

“You’re the fucking unpaying guest, mate, hop it.”

“Fine,” Ben said, getting out of bed. “We’re spending all day together, big bro. So, get thinking about what you want to do.”

He banged out of the room.

Danny lay with his hands behind his head. Maybe life wasn’t as bad as he’d had it down as.

TWELVE

TYLER

It was his first proper day on the job and Tyler’s mind remained stuck elsewhere. Primarily around Danny, naked and in his bed. Well, airbed.

Why is it only Monday?

“You were saying?” Molly said.

He realised all eyes were on him. He had taken the team into a meeting room to discuss his findings after studying the figures. There was a lot to do. Tyler found it exhilarating that he could make a difference.

“Sorry, lost track there. I’ve noticed that when we have visitors, you book them into all different hotels.”

Amanda bristled. “I am responsible for bookings and I get the best deal. I can assure you.”

Tyler flinched.

“I didn’t mean that, Amanda. I wouldn’t doubt you for a second. When I studied the figures yesterday?—”

“On a Sunday?” Simone interrupted. “Mon ami.You need to focus on your life, not your data.”

Tyler nodded. “That is sadly so very true. But until I find a life, let’s concentrate on the numbers. We booked over a thousandnights in Brighton last year. If we put this through one hotel, they would give us a decent rate.”

Amanda shook her head. “I can’t believe it’s that much. Wow.”

“This is one example. Since the pandemic, things have got crazy. We need to go through all spend and identify which contracts need to be renegotiated.”

“Shall we split them into sections?” Molly asked.

“Good idea. Amanda, can you approach some of the big hotels? Let’s get some meetings in the calendar and see who gives us the best deal. In fact, speak to whoever organises the Christmas party. We might as well get a decent price for that too. The bigwigs love that.”

She nodded and typed furiously into her laptop. Tyler detected the slightest suggestion of a smile on her face.

“Right, guys. Have a think which areas you want to work on. We’ll meet at the end of the week to make a plan.”

They filed out of the room. Tyler exhaled, letting the adrenalin slow down a little.