I tilt my head. “All right, smart-arse. If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
A slow, cocky smirk unfurls across his lips. “I don’t think I need to say anything at all, do I?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I bite into my shortbread.
He taps his fingers on the mahogany desk, narrowing his eyes at me.
“What now?” I ask.
He crosses his arms. “Admit it.”
“Admit what?”
“This isn’t just a little crush anymore. You like Max Browne.”
I scoff, sliding my mug across the desk as I open my email.
“And I think he has feelings for you.”
“I’m not talking about this with you,” I say, tapping away at my keyboard.
“Gem.” Henry’s voice takes on a soft, serious tone that he rarely uses, and I pause, reluctantly meeting his gaze. “It’s okay to like someone. To let someone in.”
I roll my eyes. “Christ—you sound exactly like April.”
“Well, maybe April’s right.”
I raise an eyebrow. “If you don’t drop this right now, I swear I’ll take off my top and recreate the Cha-Cha incident right here in my office.”
His face contorts with disgust. “God, please don’t.”
“Then get out.” I jerk my chin toward the door. “And take your relationship advice with you.”
“Don’t forget, Gemma—you report tome,” he says, standing and leaning over my desk. “And you can repress your emotions all you like. Have at it. But whatever happens,don’tmess up this launch. Be ready at 1 p.m. for the site visit.”
“Can’t wait,” I say, waving him off.
The smell of fresh paint, wood varnish, and fabric treatments cloaks us as we stride through the hotel foyer. My stilettos tap a steady cadence against the burnished stone.
I crane my neck, inspecting every nook and cranny in awe. Despite workers still mulling about with ladders and tools, I can already envision how spectacular this hotel is going to look in five weeks when it opens to the public.
Elegant guests will glide through and be greeted by two doormen, valet services available. Concierge to the right of the entryway, ready to direct guests to the best the city has to offer. Beyond them, bellmen in crisp charcoal uniforms will run errands, assist with luggage, and escort guests to their rooms.
The property is gorgeous, and the Gray Hotel vision come to life is a true masterpiece.
I note the available space opposite the concierge desk and mentally file it away. A barista station would be perfect there. Guests arriving after transatlantic flights and facing hour-long waits before check-in would kill for a proper coffee. I must remember to tell Max at dinner tonight.
My body throbs at the memory of his hands on me yesterday.
We follow Max through to the hotel cocktail bar, which is the real showpiece of the ground floor. I force my gaze upward from his perfect arse to enjoy the big reveal.
Pendant lights drip from the ceiling, casting a warm, amber glow. Everything is wrapped in smoky blues, plush velvet, and sleek burnished copper.
I step forward, running my fingers along the bar’s surface.
“Wow. Max… this is incredible.” I turn to him, standing behind me in a two-piece navy suit, looking like an Adonis. “It’s beautiful.”
Henry nods approvingly beside me, and I know he’s thinking the same thing—this is exactly the sort of space we imagined for the launch party.
