“Sid, let’s be frank here. Your budget isn’t adding up. You have dozens of expenses that don’t make sense. A pool renovation, new company cars, a fucking water feature that isn’t here. And apparently, the laptop to employee ratio is three to one. You’re bleeding money.”
He blanches. “People don’t want luxury anymore.”
I stare at him, waiting for him to continue. Several moments pass, and he drops my stare, a red stain creeping up his neck and reaching his face. At least he has some sense.
“Explain.”
“People want more privacy. They don’t want the traditional turndown service because they don’t want people in their space. And they don’t need the best concierge in town telling them where to find the best drink or steak in Austin because now they have Google.”
“It’s not just turndown service and a good concierge,” I argue.
“It’s not?” He raises his eyebrows. “Our cheapest room is three hundred and fifty dollars a night before tax, and people are starting to care less about the exclusivity perks and are choosing someplace more affordable with free breakfast and a warm cookie when you check in.”
“Bullshit. People don’t care about a free breakfast or cookies. They care about image, which is why you see people stopping to post pictures to their social media account every damn second, and why every teenager has a thousand-dollar cell phone.”
“But people want luxury on a budget.”
“Three hundred and fifty dollars a night is a budget,” I tell him.
He shakes his head. “Not anymore.”
I stand up, ready to flip the table. Not because this location means anything—we could easily close it, cauterize the bleed and be no worse for the wear. No, this irritation stems from his complete lack of desire for this place to remain open. If he, as the general manager, has so little regard, I can’t expect more from his staff.
“I need a break. Let’s meet back in an hour to finalize things, and then I’ve got to go.”
Sid pops out of his chair like I’ve just said the magic word to free him of a lifelong servitude, dashing out the door before I’m out of my seat.
I call Cooper as I make my way down the hallway to the elevator.
“Hey, man.”
“Where are you guys?”
“In the lobby.”
“You could’ve stayed up in the room. I told them we’d have a late checkout today.”
“The girls were restless. Since we have a long drive, they wanted to walk around for a while. What’s going on with you?”
“I’m on my way down. Where are you guys?”
“Near the koi pond.”
“I’ll see you in a minute.” I hang up as the doors shut and descend the multiple floors to the lobby, where I find them laughing over something. We arrived late last night after having to stop to charge the car and electing to eat dinner at the same time. It was a small dive bar with “spicy” and “fried” describing everything on their menu.
When we checked in, we did a much faster tour of the suite, sitting out on the balcony while they brought in our luggage and discussing the plan for today. The hotel had an entire team set for the task, and because we were only staying the one night, I requested they didn’t unpack our bags as had been done in New Orleans, which led to me slipping away to catch some sleep even faster.
“Thank goodness you’re done. These two are delirious and need a nap.” He looks between the twins and shakes his head.
“He’s projecting,” Vanessa says. “We’re great. We’re just naming all the fish.”
“Naming the fish?” I ask.
“None of them are appropriate, so don’t ask,” Cooper says, shaking his head.
“Who doesn’t love a good pun?” Chloe replies. She’s wearing a pair of gray shorts with a loose-fitting sweater, a coffee in her hand.
“Hey, so, I think I left a hat in New Orleans,” Cooper says. “Do you think I could contact someone and have them ship it to me?”
I suggest telling him just to buy a new one but stop, knowing Cooper has a limited income and that it might hold sentimental value. “Yeah. I can have Anika message them and have it sent to Seattle.”
He smiles with relief. “Thanks, man.”
I nod.
“Are you ready to go?” Vanessa asks me.
I shake my head. “Unfortunately, there’s been a change in plans. I need a little more time here, so we’re going to drive halfway today and stay overnight, and we’ll drive to Santa Fe in the morning.”
Vanessa nods—an easy sell. “I don’t think I could have survived eleven hours in the car.” She stretches. “Do you have some time? You want to grab something to eat? We need a tiebreaker. There’s supposed to be a really good Mexican restaurant and Chinese restaurant both within two blocks.”
“There are three of you. By default, you can’t have a tie,” I point out.
“Oh, I’m not getting in the middle of this,” Cooper says, shaking his head.
I glance between the sisters, considering which restaurant each chose. “I have a little time.”
“Perfect. Chinese or Mexican?” Vanessa asks.
“Mexican,” I tell her. “We’re in Texas.”
Vanessa frowns. “Fine, but I get to pick dinner.” She links arms with Cooper and starts toward the front doors.
“Everything okay?” I ask Chloe when she refuses to look at me or attempt small talk.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. You seem annoyed.”
“It’s stupid.” She shakes her head and pulls her shoulders back.
I stop walking and turn to face her, causing her to stop as well. Her attention shifts from me to Coop and Vanessa and the building gap as they continue walking. “You guys grab a table, we’ll be right there,” I tell Coop.
He nods without a sign of hesitation.
“What’s stupid?” I ask her.
A narrow line forms between her brows as apprehension becomes visible. “It’s just the way you come across sometimes. Changing plans and taking another day isn’t a big deal, but you didn’t even discuss it with us. You just made the plans and expect us to go along with them.”
“This is my business trip,” I remind her.
“Sure, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to consider us when making decisions that affect everyone.”
“I don’t,” I tell her. “You guys are getting a free trip, all expenses paid. Why does one more night matter? I’m not going to waste thirty minutes to check in with you guys on a decision that needs to be made and benefits all parties.”
Her green eyes narrow. “This is why I avoid you.” She starts to turn, but I reach for her hand.
“Because I made a decision without asking you?”
“Because you assume you know everything, and you don’t.”
“I’m right about this. Just like I’m right about the fact you wanted me in that club. You wanted me, and you didn’t care who watched. I might be a bossy son of a bitch, but you’re so stubborn you refuse to admit I’m right.”