She doesn’t push further, and I get started on today’s tasks. “Okay, we have a lot to do today. We have to visit one of the hotels. I have a meet and greet with their team, and I need to take notes on the location and how it’s operating. So, if you can grab the iPad and record notes on there, that would be great. After that, we have to prepare for tonight. There’s an investor gala here. If you don’t have anything to wear, we can get you something. I already have hair, makeup, and accessories coming at five.” I check the time and realize we need to get going. “Let’s go. We need to be there by one o’clock.”
I start shoving my keys, phone, and everything else I will need into my purse.
As Sophie grabs the iPad and the Magic Keyboard from the charger, she asks, “Can we bring a plus-one?”
“Youhave a boyfriend?” I ask, shocked that she has been able to move on emotionally. Although I don’t really know when her assault took place.
She crosses her arms, offended by my question. “Who said my date was a guy?”
My eyes fly to her, as I’m completely surprised by her statement. I never saw her date a girl in high school. I just genuinely didn’t know.
I smile at her and at the sass that seems to mirror mine. “All right, Sophie.”
I grab my purse, and Sophie, Keanu, Max, and I head to one of the SUVs for our two-and-a-half-hour road trip. Since I didn’t get much sleep last night, I plan on sleeping in the car. And that’s exactly what I do.
Something nudges me awake, and when my eyes flutter open, Sophie’s flawless tawny face fills my view.
“Morning, sunshine. Nice of you to join us.” She smirks.
“Ha-ha. I barely got any sleep last night, thanks.” I laugh, but there’s no real humor beneath the joke.
I moved into the hotel after my dad’s death. I couldn’t bear to be inside my parents’ house after that. Everywhere I looked was a constant reminder of what had happened. And I’m not ready to face that yet, nor will I ever be.
Trent’s stupid outburst didn’t help anything. More like a reminder of Brady, who starred in my nightmares last night. God, I hate him, and I hate that I’m still affected by him. I just wish he were dead. No, I wishIcould kill him.
Sophie, Max, Keanu, and I all unload from the car and head into The Chambers.
We are immediately greeted by their manager, Lester, whom I have met on Zoom calls. “Welcome, guys. How was your drive?”
I smile at him. “It was great. Where should we get started?”
He leads the way to the office and conference area of the hotel, and we follow as he says, “It’s great to finally meet you in person, Miss Chambers.”
Maintaining the annoying smile that will decorate my face all day, I reply, “It is great to meet you too. How are Susan and Justin?” I ask about his wife and son. I don’t particularly care per se, but it will make him feel like I do.
“They are doing wonderful. Thank you so much for asking.” He grins.
See?
We walk into the largest conference room, and my eyes widen when I see the gigantic layout of binders across the table.
“I was hoping we could dig into these today and really have you thoroughly look into our operations.” Lester shrugs his shoulders.
“Lester, as wonderful of an idea as that is, we just won’t have the time. Pick three or four areas you would like me to really dissect, and then we can leave the others for the next quarterly visit. If there are any urgent matters, Jamie is always available to help,” I tell him.
I do not have the time or the energy to tear this hotel down to its bones today.
Lester walks over to the table and brings me three binders, starting with staffing. We take our seats at the table and spend the next four hours going over staffing numbers and expectations. Then, we move on to event planning and then to cleanliness.
By the time we are done dealing with Lester and this hotel today, the last thing I want to go do right now is get all dressed up for this gala. It’s going to be two or three hours of straight fake laughs and kindness.
I’m thankful for our investors. They were the backbone of the hotel when it was just starting years ago. And we owe them a lot of gratitude. I just wish we could skip all of the showiness of galas and other events. To be honest, I wish I could stay in bed, wearing my PJs, all day, every day.
Walking out of this Chambers location, I’m already itching to get tonight over with. We all get into the car, quiet and tired from a day that was purposeful on paper, but passionless for my heart.
The whole ride back, I spend time answering emails and calls that I missed during today’s visit.
And I’m shocked when Keanu pulls into our parking lot and announces our arrival. “We’re here.”
