Chapter 7
TRAVIS
I felt on the top of the world when I returned to Chicago.
With Tim on board, I wanted to jump right into it.
It seemed surreal to be back in Chicago after how quiet the past week had been.
Quiet and delicious. The time away last week with Bonnie was exactly what I needed, but now it was back to reality.
I went straight to the office. It was already full when I arrived. I went straight to Tate's. He'd texted to tell me to drop by, which was typical of my family. One of us went away for a bit and everyone required a full report, but I didn't mind. I liked sharing stuff with them.
I'd expected my brothers Declan and Luke to be in Tate's office, but to my surprise, Reese was there too.
"You've gathered the whole gang," I said, feeling damn special.
"I was just dropping by," Reese said. "You look so triumphant, I have half a mind to do something to take you down a notch just so it doesn't go to your head."
I burst out laughing. “What can I say? I like it when I get what I want.”
"I never doubted that you'd get your manager," Tate said.
Declan nodded too. "Congrats, brother."
Luke clapped his hands. "We should go get drinks later today and celebrate this milestone."
I was proud of the fact that Declan seemed relaxed and was simply enjoying the moment. As a lawyer and the oldest brother, he was often on the lookout for trouble. I knew he was only watching out for us, but he could be a killjoy.
Reese stood up, coming to me and giving me a hug. "I'm so proud that you're taking the family legacy and turning it into something beautiful."
She and I were both dedicated to our family history. It rooted us and gave us a sense of purpose. It was why she’d wanted to open the spa in that building. I was very proud of everything I’d achieved with my software start-up, but I’d never felt a fire for it the way I did for the hotel.
I realized on the spot what my angle would be to convince Reese.
I was tempted to ask her how Gran was, but I suspected she hadn’t shared that with the group. I’d check in with her about it later.
"I don't want to boast, but I'm damn proud of myself. I thought it would take me longer than a week to convince him, but I only needed a few days."
Luke frowned, leaning to one side on the couch, resting on the armrest. "So why did you stay so long?"
"I met Bonnie. We had fun together." I said this nonchalantly, fully knowing how they'd react. It was almost comical. Tate jerked his head back. Luke's jaw dropped. Reese gaped at me. Declan's expression was unreadable. That was a first. I could usually tell what he was thinking without hesitation.
Luke spoke first. "Does anyone recall him ever telling us anything about a woman he was seeing?"
"No," Tate answered instantly.
"I'd remember," Declan added.
Reese just looked at me speculatively.
"I felt like switching things up.”
"Is she from Oceanwell Bay?" Reese asked.
“No. From Chicago. We actually met at the airport there.”
“So is she coming to…? Wait a second. It was a one-week fling."
"How did you even reach that conclusion so fast?" I felt blindsided.
Reese sighed. "Because that would be the only reason you’d mention it like this, without any hesitation, cousin." I recognized that tone. She wanted to scold me.
I shook my head. "We agreed on a week of no-strings fun."
Reese pressed her lips together. I could tell she wanted to say more and was making an effort not to.
"If you say so," she said finally.
"I do. Though I wouldn't mind seeing Bonnie again, once she’s back in Chicago." I clapped my hands together. "All right, it was good catching up with you all. I'm going to my office. I need to make a few calls."
"Wait, what? No. You can't leave us like that," Reese said.
I grinned. "Yes, I can. I believe gossip hour is about to begin, and I don't want to participate in it."
Marjorie, my assistant, was already inside my office.
Her gray hair was pulled back in a tight bun.
She and I went back more than ten years.
She used to be the secretary at the dean's office at my college and once told me how bored she was, so when I started my software business, I asked her to come work for me.
After I sold the company, she went into retirement.
As soon as I decided to go into the hotel business, I interviewed dozens of candidates to be my assistant, and none of them were even 10 percent as good as Marjorie, so I brought her out of retirement.
In truth, she hadn't needed much coaxing. I’d personally gone to her house to convince her, and she told me she couldn't wait to start working again, that retirement wasn’t for her.
"Congrats. I knew you’d make it," Marjorie said.
"Thanks, Marj. What's new around here?"
"I printed a review of the past week. Nothing much yet. Not compared to how it used to be."
I sat in my chair, glancing down at the stack of papers.
"We're going to have our hands full soon, don't worry. Though the pace will be different." Things moved fast in software. I expected a different experience with hotels, but time would tell.
"Okay, I'll be in my office. Let me know if you need anything." I had her take the space next to me. It was good to have her back.
My cell phone rang once she left. I belatedly realized I'd pressed the green button without looking at the number. It wasn't a name, which meant the caller was unknown.
"Hello," I said.
"Is this Travis Maxwell?"
"Depends who's asking."
"I'm from the Glam Reporter. I would like to do an interview with you about your new business."
I didn't reply right away. The Glam Reporter wasn't exactly known for having an interest in new businesses. They served more as a gossip rag as far as I was concerned.
"I see. And what else?"
"Well, your cousin Reese—"
I hung up before she could finish the sentence. Pain throbbed in my head. What the fuck? How did they get my number? I worked very hard to keep my name out of social media so no one would have any way to contact me, yet somehow a reporter had gotten my personal number?
Reese was in an ongoing war with the press.
They’d always taken an interest in the Maxwell family, but we never gave interviews, nor did we give them much of a reason to bother us.
Reese did a center-page spread for her wedding, which spiked their attention, and then after the wedding was canceled, the reporters started hounding her.
She refused to talk to them at first, but then her ex threatened to make the story public for money.
That’s when my cousin decided to give an interview where she laid everything out.
She’d hoped the press’s interest would fade after that.
Unfortunately, the opposite happened. At least that moron she almost married didn’t get to put his spin on the situation.
I went straight to Marjorie's office. She looked up in surprise when I came in. "I wasn't expecting to see you so soon."
I put the phone on her desk. "I need a new number. Today."
"What? Why?"
"A reporter got a hold of it."
"That's impossible," she said.
"I just got a call, and I don't want to wait long enough for them to call again."
She nodded. "Of course. I'll get you a new number right away.”
I got to work while she was gone, catching up on things that had happened over the past week. Marjorie returned to my office with the phone one hour later.
"Here it is. This is your new number.” She’d written it on a Post-it.
"Thank you, Marjorie. I appreciate your efficiency."
“I know.” She winked as she left. It was great to have her back.
I scrolled through my contacts, intending to call Tim to finalize some last-minute details. To my intense displeasure, the number wasn't there.
I groaned, realizing the last backup had been before I went to Oceanwell Bay.
Marjorie was an organizational genius but not tech-savvy.
I hadn't specifically instructed her to do a backup; I should’ve, and that was totally my bad.
Marjorie had Tim’s number in her files, though, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Then I realized that meant I wouldn't have Bonnie's number either. Damn it. I hadn’t exchanged any other information with her—no email, and I didn’t have any profiles on social media.
I went to Marjorie's office again. This time she cowered when she saw me. "What's wrong?"
I never went to her office for no reason.
"I don't have Tim's number. You didn't do a backup."
She looked surprised and concerned. "I forgot. I’m so sorry, Travis. I just assumed it would be up-to-date."
"It should've been, but that’s on me since I didn't specifically instruct you, so it's not your mistake. Just find me the number."
She looked somewhat relieved even though I was still feeling a bit pissed, at myself mostly.
"Here, let me check.”
She clicked on her mouse, eyes glued to her computer. Then she jotted the number on another Post-it. I thanked Marjorie and quickly saved it in my phone, calling Tim on the way to my office.
He answered after the third ring, just as I sat down in my chair.
“Travis. I was waiting for your call. I’ve gone through the contract. It’s the most thorough I’ve ever seen.”
“I never do things in half measures.”
“I appreciate that you handled this yourself and didn't brush me off to HR. It tells a lot about the way you conduct business. You’re hands-on and picky about the team, and it proves this project is personal to you.”
I was surprised he’d gotten such a good read on me. He was right, more than he knew.
“I’m glad we see eye to eye. Do you have any questions or concerns?”
“Only about the apartment your team found for me. I need it a week earlier.”
“That can be arranged. Anything else?” I asked.
“No.”
“When will I get the signed contract?”
“This afternoon.”
“Perfect. I’ll be on the lookout for it.” I didn’t want to give him a chance to change his mind.
“I’ll be in touch.”
After hanging up, I felt victorious. This was all going according to plan. The hotel would open on time, and my family’s legacy would endure.