I take in a deep breath and exhale slowly. I grab my suit jacket from the stand and throw it on. It’s weird wearing a suit after the last couple of weeks of wearing casual clothes around the hotel. Now, it’s all back down to business.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” I throw my arm around my brother’s shoulder and leave my suite.
I don’t know why I have nerves swarming around my stomach; this isn’t my first rodeo. Without blowing my own trumpet, I’m a pro at this now.
We round the corner into the lobby. People are walking into the lounge where the entertainment is happening tonight. There are drinks and canapes to allow people to try the best bits of the menu in bite-sized bits. There are little cones of fish and chips with a dollop of mushy peas, bite-sized steak burgers, hotdogs, plus a few other little dishes the chef wanted to try out.
“Good turnout, bro. It looks like everyone has showed up,” says Brendan.
“Now, there’s my boys!”
I cringe before turning around to see my mum and dad approach us.
I lean in and kiss my mum’s cheek, but she pulls me tight to her before doing the same with Brendan. Only he gets the added cheek squeeze at the end, and he playfully rubs it off.
“You did good, son,” says my dad, breaking the scene between my mum and us. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. This one was a lot of work. It was a shell when I bought it, the liquidators had done their worst, but it has paid off.”
“See, Brendan? Hard work is what it’s all about, son.”
“Brendan hasn’t been shy of hard work since he came to work with me.” I stick up for my brother because I’ve thrown him in at the deep end over the last few weeks.
“Who would have thought flat-packed furniture could be a bitch?” says Brendan, making my mum and dad chuckle at his honesty.
“Look, grab a drink, guys. I need to mingle. I’ll be right back.” I wave to Chelsea, the champagne server, and she brings my family a tray of champagne. “Look after my parents, Chelsea.”
I’m glad of the breathing space for a few minutes until I see my good pal, Alan Henshaw. I hold my hand out to him, and he shakes it, slapping my back. “Good to see you, buddy. Now you’ve got this place ready for opening, hopefully we can grab those beers sometime soon.”
“Absolutely. I need a night out. Grab a drink; I’ll be right back.”
If I keep sayingI’ll be right backto everyone, I’ll have a cue of people waiting for my return. The crazy thing is, as good asit is to see the lounge filling up and people enjoying themselves, I’m not seeing the one face I really want to see.
I take out my phone from my pocket and look at the blank screen. There’s no text or call from Lexi to say she isn’t coming tonight. I should have reached out to her today. She might be too sick to get out of bed. I could kick myself for being a selfish bastard. I should have at least sent her a text. I should have checked if she needed any supplies.
I shake a few hands in passing. I grab a glass of champagne and practically down it in one go. I need some liquid courage to get through tonight.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” My mum approaches me from behind with my dad hot on her heels. Since my father retired, the two of them are inseparable. “You look a little out of sorts tonight.”
I grew up around a decent family, a stark contrast to what Lexi and many other people had. My parents loved each other. They loved us kids. We wanted for nothing. Yet, I never once strived for the love they had. The bond they shared. Now, I’m standing here, desperate to see one woman’s face. What has Lexi awakened in me?
“I’m okay, Mum. I’m just tired.”
“A holiday is what you need. You’ve done all the hard work. Let someone else do the work for you.”
“Your mother’s right. Take it from an old man who worked too hard in his younger days. It’s not worth running yourself ragged for.”
I know my dad’s right. I wish he would have a chat with Lexi and show her the right way to do business.
“I know, Dad. This is the last hotel for a while.”
“Where have we heard that before, Lil?”
“Indeed.” My mum squeezes my arm.
Hairs on the back of my neck rise. I look over my shoulder to see the entrance of the lounge. Walking in with a beautiful smile on her face, in a long elegant black dress, with a friend whispering something in her ear to make her laugh, is Lexi. It’s a beautiful sight. It’s the same friend from the night in the club.
She spots me watching her. Our eyes meet and she smiles warmly at me, but I know behind that smile she is thinking of every way I’ve touched and caressed her body. I know because it’s all I think about.
