Chapter 3
TRAVIS
I spent the afternoon on calls with candidates I was interviewing for the marketing and sales positions.
Several friends and even my brothers couldn’t understand why I didn’t delegate this to a headhunting firm, but I’d done that in the past and wasn’t satisfied with the results.
Hiring was personal for me. I needed to click with my team—especially at the management level.
The interviewees this afternoon didn’t impress me, but I had more interviews scheduled. I’d planned today and next week meticulously. I would focus on recruiting.
And there was Bonnie. I was going to make time for her.
I went down to the lobby about half an hour before I was supposed to pick her up, wanting a drink and a chat with the bartender first. Business was still on my mind.
The Winston Hotel was one of the smallest I’d ever stayed in. There were only two other guests here, and I was surprised the bar was open. It was decorated in a lot of dark blue and white, which was fitting for the location, I supposed.
When I stepped into the bar area, I noticed Tim, the hotel manager, sitting on a stool. There was no one else there except him and the bartender. He looked far more relaxed than he had this morning.
He nodded when he saw me. "Maxwell!"
I couldn't let this opportunity pass. Dad always said he made some of his best deals out of the office. I had plenty of time until I was meeting Bonnie, so I went straight to him.
"This seat taken?" I asked, pointing at the one next to him. He shook his head. "What are you drinking?"
"I haven't made up my mind yet. I was thinking scotch."
"I'm buying."
He chuckled. “Relentless, are you?”
He was on to me, and I wasn't going to dispute it.
"Hey, I'm seizing the opportunity," I said.
As the bartender put the scotch in front of us, we clinked glasses, and he took a sip. I did the same, satisfied with the quality. It was a Glenmorangie Grand Vintage, year 1996.
I wasn't going to push like I had that morning. I first wanted to hear what kept him from accepting. He hadn't wanted to tell me earlier, but I had a feeling he would now.
“I walked around the area at lunch,” I said.
“Yeah, where did you go?”
“Went to the beach, then ate seafood at The Fish.”
“It’s excellent, but my clothes stink to high heaven after a trip there. Don’t know why they can’t get their ventilation working properly.”
I smiled, remembering that was exactly what the sexy brunette had said.
“True, but the quality, the food, is well worth it.”
“Try Barney’s while you’re here. Great pizza.”
“I will. Thanks for the rec. I have to say, the area here is an interesting change of pace.”
“I'm comfortable with my life here.”
He’d only been here one year. What exactly tied him down?
"You'd have a much better salary in Chicago.”
"Maybe, but I like the personal touch. I like what I’m doing here," he countered. “I know my customers, staff, and can offer them anything I want to. It’s all my call.”
"And that's exactly why I want to hire you. That’s what I want for Maxwell Hotels. You’d have free rein. We’re still putting the final touches on the place, and I’d want your input.”
He straightened up, training his eyes on me. For the first time, he looked interested. I'd finally found out what made him tick. It was only a matter of time, I always said.
“And yet you plan to open in four months?”
The corners of my mouth twitched. I knew where he was going with this.
“Yes. We can accommodate last-minute changes.”
“That’s a deep pocket you’re digging in.”
Very deep, but I kept that tidbit to myself. I liked teasing Bonnie that self-praise was acceptable if it was true, but bragging about money was a dick move in my book.
“I want the best for my hotel, and I’m not sparing expenses.
Think about it," I said, downing my scotch and getting up from the chair.
I knew the importance of pacing. I'd laid the groundwork today; I would reap the rewards tomorrow.
If I pushed him too hard tonight, I ran the risk of him putting up defenses, and it would cost me even more time to get past them.
"Have a great evening, Maxwell."
"You too."
As I left, I checked my phone. It had buzzed while I was at the bar, and I saw I had a missed call from my cousin Reese. I called her back right away.
"Hey!"
“Hey, Travis! When is my favorite cousin returning to Chicago?"
"At the end of next week. Maybe earlier. Depends how everything goes here.”
"Hmm.”
I stepped into the backyard of the hotel. There were a few round metal tables and chairs that looked uncomfortable as fuck, but it was quiet, and there wasn’t anyone around.
“Have you thought more about my offer to be CFO of my hotel?"
Reese had worked in finance for a decade, and she'd quit her job to start a business with her then-fiancé. They were supposed to open a spa on the top floor of Gran’s building, but their relationship had blown up when she discovered he was cheating on her.
Bastard. Ever since that fiasco, she'd been helping out at The Happy Place, but she hinted that she wanted to go back into the finance world.
"I'm still thinking, though now that I heard you flew to the Winston Hotel to convince the manager, maybe I'll play coy and see what you'll do for me."
"Guess that means you want to be spoiled."
She sighed. "Am I so transparent?"
"Yes," I said truthfully. Reese could rarely hide her feelings or intentions.
“How is Project Convincing Tim going?”
“It’s slow,” I admitted.
“You must be bored to tears.”
“Not at all. You know I’m good at finding ways to entertain myself.”
“True. So you’re coming back next Friday?”
“That’s the plan. Why?”
“I’m thinking about doing a get-together at my place. Or maybe Lena’s,” she said, referring to my mom. My family was big on get-togethers. Sometimes we had a reason for it, but mostly not.
“Count me in.”
“By the way, Gran loves what you’re doing with the place. I gave her a tour today.”
I stilled. “Gran was on the construction site?” It wasn’t safe.
“Yes, overbearing cousin. We both went and survived.”
I cleared my throat. “I was planning to take everyone on a tour once it looks like a hotel.”
“You can still see enough to get a good idea. It’s going to be amazing. We especially liked that you’re converting the attic too.”
“The construction manager doesn’t let anyone go up there.” Trying to keep my exasperation from coloring my tone too much, I walked toward Bonnie’s bungalow with determined strides.
“I’m even better at bribing than you are.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m gonna be blunt.”
“It’s about time.” She was playing coy, and I had no idea why.
“Gran is a bit melancholic about the building changing. She’s forlorn lately. Typically, she’s like this only when the anniversary of Grandad’s death approaches.”
That caught me off guard. I would've never thought about that—not in a million years. I reached the bungalow and paced a few steps away from it.
“And you think if she sees the process, it’ll help?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then I’ll make sure to take her as often as she wants to go.”
“Good. I might drop by again with her while you’re gone.”
“Give the construction manager a heads-up so he can secure the place or something.”
“Travis, what can he do, babyproof it? We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Right.”
“Well, I just wanted to fill you in. Try to have some fun while you’re there.”
“I definitely will.”
After hanging up, I mulled over Reese’s words. I had to find a way to convince her to be my CFO.
I was excited to work with my family, create something special for them.
Once, as a kid, I'd overheard a conversation between my parents.
They were dreaming about what would happen when we grew up, how we might take over Maxwell Bookstores and divide the tasks among us.
That never happened, of course, because they sold the business.
But for some reason, the idea stuck in my impressionable mind.
I would've enjoyed working with family. I trusted them.
Hell, I liked them. Case in point, three of us had offices together: Tate, Luke, and me.
Before I sold my software company, I had rented an entire floor for the team.
It wasn't going to be the same this time around because my team would be working at the hotel, but I was still planning to keep my office near my brothers as well.
When I pocketed my phone, I noticed Bonnie in the doorway. She was looking at me curiously. Had she been eavesdropping?
"I didn't hear you come out," I said.
"No, you were clearly occupied."
"I was talking to my cousin Reese. I’m trying to get her to be my CFO. I think she actually does want to work with me. She just needs a bit more persuasion, perhaps spoiling."
"Oh, how exactly will you do that?"
"I don't have a plan yet, but I'll concoct one when I go back to Chicago."
"You're a very interesting man."
"Thank you for the compliment." And it was. I never was the guy who stood on the sideline, happy with what life had to offer. Nope, I had to be in the middle of it all and making things happen. When I did that, it usually worked out for everyone else as well.
Bonnie looked absolutely breathtaking. I made no secret of drinking her in. She was wearing a dress under her open coat. From what I could see, it hugged her body, accentuating the curve of her waist beautifully.
When I returned my gaze to her face, she blushed violently. The tip of her tongue darted out, licking her lower lip. I was pleased with her reaction.
"We should go," she murmured, "or we'll be late."
"Lead the way. I have no idea where it is."
We walked along Main Street. It was sleepy even though it was only seven o'clock in the evening. How did people live in this town? What did they do for fun? I was legitimately trying to get a feeling for why Tim might prefer to stay here.
We arrived at the theater a few minutes later.
"Here it is. I love it so much," she exclaimed.