Chapter 24
KENNEDY
Iwas on my way to New York. I should have been excited for this opportunity. It was something new and exciting, but all I could think about was what I left behind in Colorado.
I'd come to love the Hart family and Boone. Their property had started to feel like home. But Boone hadn't told me how he felt. So when that email came through, I only had to consider my business and what was best for me. Or at least that was what I kept telling myself.
I couldn't make decisions based on a man again. If our relationship didn't work out, where would I be? I needed to capitalize on my recent success. If I waited, the offers might disappear, and I could be left with nothing. That wasn't a risk I was willing to take.
I tried not to think about what I might have done had Boone told me he loved me. That would have put me in an impossible situation. It was better this way. If I didn't make attachments, it was easier to move onto the next thing.
There was nothing for me in Colorado. Just a family I connected with and a man I'd remember forever. And if he loved me, he would have told me.
I hadn't had a chance to text him or even talk to him about my decision. I was more than a little afraid that he'd talk me out of it. That he'd convince me to stay. I was afraid that I'd say yes, and what would that mean for my business?
It felt like I was running away from him as much as I was running toward an opportunity.
By the time I landed, a headache was brewing, and I was tired and hungry. I called for a car and checked into the hotel that I'd be working for. This was the usual arrangement I made with any hotel I worked with, so why did this one feel different?
I opened the door to a modern space with white nightstands, a bookshelf with backlighting, and a long hanging shelf under the large screen TV.
The bedding was a darker blue, along with the curtains and the two upholstered chairs in front of the window.
The artwork above the bed was an abstract piece.
It was nice. But it didn't have the character of Hart Inn.
I was used to working in modern hotels, so this should feel normal. I should easily be able to determine what they needed to take this hotel to the next level. Instead, I felt uninspired. The room was already updated, the colors inviting, and the room comfortable. What else did they need?
The staff downstairs was competent and friendly.
The lobby was grand and welcoming. Maybe he just wanted a snow room.
Was this what I was going to do from now on?
Create snow rooms in every hotel across the country?
That didn't excite me, even though the pay for this job alone was far above what I'd ever earned before.
I was stepping into my next level, something I'd been dreaming about forever. But I felt lost, adrift as if I didn't have an anchor. I hadn't recharged at home. That made this change even more jarring.
This city hotel had nothing on the Harts' quaint inn. There were no mountains outside the window. I didn't need to open the curtains to see the other high-rise buildings and the traffic below. It was loud between the sirens and car horns.
I sat on the bed and pulled out my phone.
Boone had texted while I was mid-flight, asking where I was. What could I say in response? I got a job in New York that was too good to pass up? That sounded cold.
Kennedy: I'm in New York on a job. I hadn't intended to leave so early, but the CEO offered me a bonus to come right away. I guess he saw the snow room and was excited to see what I could do for him.
I read through my text. It wasn't enough.
Kennedy: I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
He didn't answer right away, and I wasn't sure what to think. Would he think that I left him? What else could he possibly conclude?
When my phone buzzed, I almost dropped it. My heart rate picked up as I turned over the screen.
Boone: It's sounds like a good opportunity.
It was exactly what I'd said to myself. This was an amazing opportunity I couldn't walk away from it. But I didn't want to walk away from Boone either. I couldn't help but think that I'd screwed everything up by not waiting and talking to him first.
He was in a meeting, and I wasn't sure how long it would take for it to be over. But I couldn't forget what happened the last time I got serious with someone in the hotel industry. In the end, Shane kept his job and took credit for my ideas. I was the one who lost her job and had to start over.
I'd worked too hard to leave something like this to chance.
It was too soon to be turning down offers.
I had to take what I could. Sure, I picked through the ones I received and took the best ones, but I'd never gotten anything like this.
It was the biggest hotel chain I'd ever worked with.
And if they wanted a snow room, it meant I'd hit on something big. Something I couldn't ignore.
If I didn't take this job, then someone else would.
Kennedy: I'd hoped we could spend the night together.
Boone: Your business comes first.
My heart contracted. Was he moving on because we were never supposed to continue our relationship after I left?
I set my phone aside, not sure what to say to him. I didn't want to declare my feelings over text or even phone. It was late in New York. I needed to go to sleep if I wanted to be coherent tomorrow when I met with Barrett.
I needed to sleep, and everything would make sense tomorrow. I'd see what Barrett needed, and then I'd figure out what to do about Boone.
I tried not to think about the possibility of him moving on from me. If that happened, then he wasn't the right guy for me anyway.
He never told me if things had changed for him, and I shouldn't assume that they had.
* * *
The next morning, I had bags under my eyes, and my muscles were stiff. I hadn't slept well. I kept replaying the text conversation with Boone over in my head. Had I said the right thing?
I couldn't shake the feeling that I should have stayed and talked to him. Figured out where his head was at before I left.
At the time, it seemed like the only thing I could do. But now with hindsight, I could see that I was avoiding him. Running away from the man who'd come to mean everything to me. I didn't want to make decisions with a man in mind, but how could I not?
At some point, your personal life had to be a consideration. But was I established enough in my business to do that?
I was afraid to say no or to set boundaries. The business could fail more quickly than it took to build. One wrong move and I'd lose everything. Or was that just a story I was telling myself?
I met with Barrett in the lobby, and he took me to the restaurant for breakfast. Once we ordered, he pulled out his laptop and showed me the latest picture of the snow room at Hart Inn. I was pleased that they were documenting the construction on social media like I suggested.
Occasionally, a client would not follow all my suggestions for marketing the updates and were disappointed with the results. But Judy and Raymond had been enthusiastic about my ideas from the start.
"It's going to look great and draw so many guests," I said simply.
"I'm impressed that you would suggest something like this for a smaller inn, one that's family run and, let's be honest, located in the sticks."
I barely covered the wince that resulted from that statement. "I predicted that it would get a lot of attention, and it has. Plus, it fits perfectly with the aesthetic in Colorado."
"See, that's where you had me confused because Colorado has a lot of snow. Why did you want to bring it inside?"
"The obvious reason is the summer. No one has to miss out on what makes Colorado great. But it's something unique that other hotels in the area don't have. It sets Hart Inn apart."
"You think outside the box, and I like that. I'm excited to see what you can do with Westbourne Hotels."
"You act like I'm already hired."
He raised a brow. "You're here, aren't you? You turned down the other offers and took this one."
I didn't mention that he was the only one who'd offered me a bonus to come immediately. "It was an interesting offer I couldn't ignore."
He smirked. "Now that you're here, I'd love to see what you'll suggest for Westbourne Hotels. These are family-owned hotels as well."
Barrett's last name wasn't Westbourne, and he wasn't related to the family.
I'd done my research on the plane. The family was on the board of directors but otherwise not involved in the day-to-day decisions.
It was not the same as Hart Inn. "I usually spend some time touring the facilities and getting a feel for the area and clientele.
Then we can reconvene and go over my suggestions. "
"I'm going to be honest with you, Miss Barnes. I intend to convince you to work for Westbourne Hotels full-time."
I chuckled without any humor because he was confident that was the likely outcome. "I run a business. I don't work directly for anyone."
"We'll see about that," he murmured as our food came.
He removed his laptop so that we could eat. He proceeded to give me the spiel for the hotel chain. Why they started and how they expanded.
When we were finished eating, I said, "Your rooms are updated, and your lobby and restaurant are pure luxury. Why do you need a designer?"
"I'm curious to see what you could do for us. I'm sure you won't disappoint."
He'd want something different, not the snow room that I'd suggested for Hart Inn.
He wanted the equivalent of that here in the city.
The first thing that came to mind was a rooftop garden.
But I wasn't sure if that was unique enough in New York.
Plenty of hotels had outdoor space. It was a necessity in the city.
I'd have to stretch my imagination to find something equally unique.
"It was very nice to meet you, Miss Barnes. My assistant will give you a tour of the building. I'm looking forward to the presentation of your suggestions. I'm hoping, since I'm paying a bonus, that the information will be accelerated."
"What I do is a creative process, and I generally can't rush it, but I'll do my best." Barrett was used to people jumping when he said to. I was aware of his desire to get a speedy consultation, but I wasn't sure if my brain was going to cooperate.
"See that you do."
I spent the rest of the day touring rooms that all looked the same and the sparse rooftop that offered a large pool and a bar. There was a space for parties. But otherwise, it lacked any personality. I was sure it was fine for New York. But I could do something more with this space.
I envisioned some kind of glass room on the roof, maybe a green house or just a space where guests could be indoors but enjoy the view and stargaze. An atrium? Or a greenhouse? Maybe both? I was excited that I'd thought of something so quickly.
As I went through room after room, I had an idea for a personal assistant that could assist the guests on their stay.
There were services that did this, but it didn't seem like anyone had a true one-on-one experience available to their guests.
I made a note of the idea and then returned to listening to my guide—Preston, I think was his name—drone on about the top-shelf liquor available at the bars.
An upscale hotel wasn't unique in New York. The amenities and services were what guests were looking for.
Barrett insisted that I eat dinner in the dining room with him and a few of the other higher-ups.
By the time I was alone in my room, I was exhausted.
I needed time and space to generate ideas.
And even though I felt a few flash into my head during the day, most of my creativity was squashed with the endless prattle about modern decor and state-of-the-art technology.
Outside, there was a lot of noise I was no longer used to. Hart Inn was quiet, with nothing but the sound of the wilderness. The loss was a constant ache in my chest.
I kind of hated the noise and rush of New York right now. I was sure I just needed some time to adjust from Colorado's quiet wilderness to the bustle of the city. But I wasn't positive I would.
I desperately wanted to get back on a plane and head to Denver so that I could talk to Boone. I hated that there was so much distance between us.
He hadn't texted since last night. He'd probably already moved on.
Our relationship was only supposed to last while I was in town after all.
I left, and it had come to an end. But for some reason, my heart couldn't let him go.
I couldn't help but think there was something there, something that could be a long-term kind of thing.
Then there was the fact that I was in love with him. There was no rationalizing that, or getting around it. The feeling pulsed through my body, and the reminder came up at the most inopportune times.
I was in love with Boone Hart, and he had no idea.