December 21st #2
But then, somehow, I want there to be fire.
No, wait. I want the lobby to feel indoor-outdoor. Lots of windows, which can slide open when the weather is nice. A huge water wall, then furniture for groups of people, like in a hotel lobby. Then a large square firepit, made of a dark gray granite.
I do an internet search and keep getting shown features for pools. When I change the search to interior of office spaces, I finally find the elements I’m looking for.
I start pulling fabrics and flooring—deep black fixtures, wood for floors and cabinets. I’ve got the whole large table covered when Jadyn walks in the room.
“It looks like you’ve been busy this morning,” she says as she peeks at the table. “What’s this for?”
“Originally, I was thinking the condo building. I started with how I pictured Uncle Tripp’s penthouse, but then moved to the lobby somehow.” I babble through what I’ve pulled and show her the water and fire features.
“I’ve been trying to talk Tripp into not doing both projects at once,” she says.
“To be honest,” I say, “I think he would be better suited living at the top of the hotel and offering residences there as well as hotel suites.”
“That’s a great idea,” she says. “Corporations would be in line to purchase the suites. And your uncle wouldn’t ever have to cook.”
“Hey now,” Tripp says, strolling into the room. “What are you two conspiring about?”
“Take a look at all this,” Jadyn says. “This is your new hotel.”
My eyes get big as she grabs my phone and plays the video of the lobby look.
“Wow,” Tripp says. “This is very upscale. Gorgeous. Unique.”
“We’re putting in a helicopter pad on the property, right?” Jadyn asks him.
“Ideally, yes,” he says.
“Which means you’d never have to drive again either,” Jadyn says with a laugh.
Uncle Tripp turns to me and says, “She’s trying to convince me—”
“She told me. And she’s right. One project. But just how much land do you have, and should it be two?”
“What do you mean?” Tripp asks.
“What if it’s not a hotel with your penthouse on top? What if there are two buildings, side by side? One a hotel, the other residences. All the amenities, but more private.”
“Aside from my fully supporting this idea so we can focus on one project at a time,” Jadyn says, nodding, “if we sold the residences in advance, it would almost fund itself.”
“That’s a good point,” Tripp says. “I also think that corporations will be lining up to buy the residences. We all assume that once we have a state-of-the-art facility that KC will get to host a championship game.”
“And that should be our focus,” Jadyn says.
“Fine,” Tripp says. “I’ll talk to Hayes about what to do with the land near the current stadium and take that off your plate.”
“Thank you,” Jadyn says, “because we still have the ongoing Fort Worth renovations, not to mention the restaurants.”
“And I heard a rumor at the Christmas party last night that you’ve found another hotel to redo,” I add in.
Jadyn grabs his arm and goes, “You didn’t.”
Tripp grins. “It’s still a rumor.”
She raises an eyebrow at him.
“Fine, I won’t bite off more than I can chew.”
Jadyn laughs. “You already have. You do realize that not only do you want to build a hotel and residences, but you also want to build a little retail world around them.”
“Oh, yeah, that too,” he says. “Nothing you can’t handle.”
Jadyn turns to me. “We’re talking a mini Plaza.”
My eyes get huge. “And we are designing that as well?”
“Yes, and no. We’ll outsource the design, but we’ll be giving them our designs so that it is cohesive. And basically, Tripp is making a list of stores he can’t live without. We’ll meet directly with those companies and try to woo them.”
Which makes me chuckle.
“Let me guess—high-end bar, where he can drink fifty-year-old scotch while smoking a cigar; a great steak restaurant; a custom suit shop that carries beautiful shoes and possibly custom cowboy boots.”
“Throw in some designer brands, and you’re on target,” Tripp confirms. “By the way, I love everything you have spread out here. It’s modern.”
“But it won’t be. I’m talking old-world, been-there-forever, European vibe.”
“I agree,” Jadyn says. “Everything in the area near the new stadium is set up for tourism and entertainment. This needs to be a reprieve. An enclave of sorts.”
“Let’s do it. I want to break ground—”
“Yesterday. Yes, I know. But you also know something else,” Jadyn says firmly.
“That we can’t rush perfection.” Tripp nods.
“Exactly,” Jadyn says with a smile.
“Do you mind if I chat with Ainsley for a few minutes before I leave?” he asks her.
“Go ahead,” she says. “I need to make a few sketches. I’m feeling inspired.”
Which makes me smile big. Because my ideas inspired her.
That’s debatable.
Ainsley
Tripp walks with me toward my office and then sits in one of the chairs in front of my desk. I sit in the other one.
“Oh, no. Go sit at the place of power,” he says, pointing behind my desk.
But I stay put.
“Have you heard from your father recently?” he asks me.
Which, to be honest, isn’t what I was expecting.
“I’m sure you heard about his visit in October,” I say.
“I did,” he confirms. “I had assumed he was gambling again, but it was good to hear that he’s okay. And since then?”
“Not a peep.”
“You’re earning a nice salary. You have to promise me that you won’t allow your father access to anything you have and that you won’t lend him any money. No matter how desperate he may be.”
“He only visited me because he wanted info on Damon’s game.
And it felt like a slap in the face. After all my worrying, he showed up like nothing had happened, and the only reason he was there was to milk me for info that could get Damon banned from football.
I decided then and there that he’s not going to be part of my life, going forward. Or my child’s.”
Tears well up in my eyes. “You don’t know how grateful I am that you’ve always watched out for me and Mom.”
“You’re family. And it was difficult … knowing that you struggled a little, financially, during college.”
“I think it was good for me. I most definitely understand the value of money. And after everything with my dad, I also understand how it can tear families apart. I just want to be able to take care of my baby,” I tell him.
He nods his head toward the door. “With what you just showed me in there, you won’t have any trouble. I knew you were talented, but seriously, what you laid out blew me away.”
“You’re the inspiration for all of it. You’ve had a huge impact in my life.”
He gets up and pulls me into a hug. “I will admit, out of all my nieces and nephews, you’ve always been my favorite. But don’t tell anyone that.”
“I won’t.”
“I’m also worried that with you being with someone like Damon, your dad is going to see you as a jackpot. And to be honest, I was afraid he might have already asked you for money.”
I shake my head. “He didn’t. Said he was on a winning streak or back on top, something like that. He showed up dressed in designer clothes and driving an exotic car.”
“Sounds like him,” Tripp says sadly.
“What happens when he’s not winning?” I ask. “I saw a little at the Ozarks, but …”
“He’ll lose it all. Again. And that’s when he will come to you.”
“I can handle it,” I say firmly.
“Just promise me, if he does, you will call me. Immediately. You think you can handle it until he’s there in front of you. Van and I caved numerous times over the years, and we’re pretty good businessmen.”
“But this isn’t business.” I nod in understanding.
“Exactly. Oh, and one other thing. Have you picked out a car yet?”
“A car?”
“Yes, it was part of your compensation package. I need to know what you want.”
“Oh, I have a car now, one that Damon bought me. I don’t really need another one.”
“You do actually. You’re going to be driving out to the construction site quite a bit over the next few years, and you’re going to need something that can haul samples, has four-wheel drive so you don’t get stuck, and can be covered with dust or mud,” he says with a laugh.
“You’re welcome to use it as your daily driver, but it’s kind of nice to just leave it here at the office when your workday is over.
We have a guy who comes every week and cleans them up. ”
“Can you just order me something suitable?”
“Now, where is the fun in that?” he asks.
“The fun for me starts in the sample room, not at a car dealership,” I fire back.
This causes him to laugh. “Fine, I’ll get you one ordered.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, get back in there and keep planning. I can’t wait to see your final choices.”
“And are we going with one or two buildings?” I ask.
“Two, connected somehow—so if I want to go over there for a drink, I can do so without going out into the elements.”
“And how do you feel about arches? I haven’t talked to Jadyn about it yet, but I can picture large arched windows.”
“They’re expensive,” he says.
“But worth it. Imagine the views from them.”
“If Jadyn agrees, go for it.”
“Awesome.”
After he leaves, I go back into the sample room and find Jadyn sketching. There are numerous ones lying on the table, along with more samples—wallpapers, tiles, fabrics.
I pick up a pretty damask wallpaper, loving the rich gold color.
I see a sketch of the lobby I told her about, only now it looks more real.
“What would you think of big, industrial arched windows, like I have in my office, only floor-to-ceiling versions, set in a more classic deco building?”
“You had a picture of an arched window like that on the table. Give me a few minutes,” she says, but then she looks up and goes, “Shit, what time is it?”
“Almost ten.”
“Oh, stay here, okay? I’ll be right back, and then we can, uh, discuss.”
“Okay,” I say as I look at a wall of tile samples.
About fifteen minutes later, she comes back in the room and lays a rendering in front of me. And I’m looking at the outside of a building with beautiful arched windows. There are cornerstones up the sides, and it’s very much got an old-world vibe, mixed with a modern flair.
“It’s perfect,” I say in awe.