Chapter 16 – Dominic
SIXTEEN
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
DOMINIC
One more trolley ride later
“Here’s your extra key,” Georgia says, placing it on our suite’s dresser. “I’ll leave an emergency one under the outdoor mat just in case.”
“Thank you.”
“You need to make an appearance at the tree trimming contest in the morning,” she says, avoiding my gaze. “Wear the green flannel pajamas that are in the closet for the official picture. Any questions?”
“We need to talk about what just happened.”
“I’ll be sure to make a reservation for you to enjoy a private skiing session since you mentioned wanting to see the slopes.”
“Georgia, the kiss.”
“I texted Charlie and told him to take you on a private tour of the resort.” She looks out the window. “He’s looking forward to showing you some of the spots most guests don’t get to see.”
“Look at me, Georgia.”
“There’s a new spa with outdoor Jacuzzis that’s opening in February, but since you’re here with me, you can try it out early. Speaking of which…”
I walk over to her while she’s discussing her grandmother’s holiday dinner tradition. Tilting her chin up with my fingertips, I look into her eyes.
“Why would you ever tell your cousin that I’m impotent?”
“Because she thinks I want to have sex with you.”
“That’s not a terrible assumption.”
“Yes, it is.” She blushes. “It’s quite defamatory, and if she weren’t related to me, I’d sue.”
There’s no use in pushing back on that blatant lie, so I change the subject.
“I need to ask you something,” I say.
“I’m not answering anything about that kiss, Dominic.”
“Thank you for admitting it happened.” It takes everything in me not to taste her lips again. “It’s about why your grandmother fired you.”
“She didn’t fire me.” She frowns. “She made me resign and back away for a while.”
“Okay.” I don’t let her get off the hook. “Why?”
“I ruined a destination wedding. That’s like, the ultimate ‘No’ in hospitality.”
“I find it hard to believe you would mess up something like that.” The look on her face is telling me the complete opposite. “Even if you did, I’m sure you would do everything in your power to fix it, right?”
“Not really.” She shrugs. “I was just being a terrible employee. You know that better than anyone.”
“Georgia…”
“He was cheating on her.” Her voice cracks.
“I saw him screwing some other woman near the hot tub after the rehearsal dinner, so I…I messed a few things up to give the bride a slight pause, and I may have accidentally played the footage in her bridal suite so she could know who she was about to marry.”
I say nothing.
“We’re supposed to stay out of the guests’ business, but I used to get way too attached sometimes.” She looks at me. “That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“Did your grandmother know?”
“No,” she says. “She just thought I was being unprofessional and late with things since that wasn’t my first mess up with a wedding that year. Same reason, though. Both grooms blamed the resort for making their fiancées walk away and we had to refund over a million dollars in potential profit.”
“You should’ve told her the truth.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. I wasn’t supposed to be involved in their business in the first place.”
“Does it still hurt?”
“Like hell.” She shakes her head. “But I have a feeling she was looking for reasons to make me get outside job experience anyway. So I could see what it’s like without a dream career, you know?”
“I think you did the right thing.”
“Ruining two weddings?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you… Since I’m being vulnerable, can I tell you something?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the worst boss I’ve ever had in my life.”
I smile. “You’re the worst employee I’ve ever had as well.”
“I hated the way you ran your business,” she says, still prodding. “You treated everyone like we were beneath you.”
‘Technically speaking, you were.” I look her over. “But I apologize if I made you feel bad while working for me.”
“Can you remember to tap into the bastard you used to be when it’s necessary this weekend?”
“I’ll try my best.” I step closer. “You should leave now if you don’t want to have angry sex.”
“What about regular sex?”
“I’m open to that, too.” I glance at the bedroom. “Is that what you want?”
She looks as if she’s considering the idea, but then she slips out the front door.