Page 6 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

“Yes, we do,” Ian agreed.

“Grab your brother and meet me at my table where the other investors are sitting.”

Ian walked back to where Chris sat talking on the phone. He tapped Chris on the shoulder.

“Okay, I’ll be home soon,” Chris was saying. He hung up and glanced up at Ian with a grin. “Where’s the woman you were dancing with? You must be losing your touch.”

“I haven’t lost anything. She’s working.”

“Working?”

“Yeah. She made the desserts. Man, you have to try the triple-chocolate mocha truffles.”

“She works for the hotel?”

He shrugged. “I assume so. Mr. Capshaw wants us to meet him over at the table with the investors.”

“Good. We can talk to them for a few minutes, and then be out of here.”

“Actually, I’m going to stay awhile longer.”

“I thought you were anxious to leave,” Chris said, rising to his feet. “Your change in plans wouldn’t have anything to do with the woman who just entered, would they?”

“Maybe.” Ian followed his brother’s gaze and saw Maya heading toward the dessert table with another hotel employee. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before she turned away to focus on whatever the other woman was saying. A bump on his shoulder drew him out of his thoughts.

“Mr. Capshaw is waiting,” Chris reminded Ian.

Giving Maya one last look, Ian followed his brother over to where the investors had gathered on the other side of the room. After a round of handshakes, Mr. Capshaw proposed a toast to the partnership.

One of the men asked, “Are we on schedule for the groundbreaking?”

Chris cut a quick look at Ian before answering. “We’ve run into a small hiccup, but—”

“What kind of hiccup?” Mr. Capshaw asked.

“One of the business owners doesn’t want to sell. Someone from our office plans to meet with the owner this week, and I’m sure contract negotiations will follow.”

“That’s good to hear,” Mr. Capshaw said, raising his glass.

Ian and Chris excused themselves minutes later. Once in the hallway, Ian said, “I thought all the owners accepted the offers.”

Chris scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “I thought so, too. But Sam told me yesterday that there’s one owner who called and said she had no intentions of selling.”

“Great. This is my first major project since that mess a year ago. It took forever to convince Dad to give me another shot, and I don’t need this.”

“It’s not the same, Ian. No one is deliberately trying to sabotage you.”

“The result will be the same. Now what?”

“Sam is going to talk to the owner this week, increase the offer and hope she’ll come around. I can’t see her turning down an amount significantly over what the building is worth.”

“Let’s hope not. That would ruin my holiday for sure.”

“Two years in a row...oh, hell no! You were such a grouch last year you could give Scrooge a run for his money. If Sam can’t make any headway with her, we might need you to step away from your drafting table and work your magic.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes. Keep me posted.” Ian checked the time again. “I’m going back in. I don’t want to miss Maya.”

“Maya?” Chris asked with a laugh. “I guess it didn’t take long for her to get your attention, which is odd.”