Hazel stepped up. "This warehouse complex is unique. All through history, people have had a connection to place. The Svenssons' vision for this site is to foster that reconnection to place, preserving as much of the historic structure as possible, not as a monument but as a place to live and go about life." She sounded authoritative and assured.
Amos came over to inspect the painting. "This is exactly what I wanted!" he said. Pleased, he shook Hazel's hand. "I'm glad the Svenssons chose you for the team."
"She's been fantastic," I said smoothly.
"Wow, I could just look at this all day. If I may speak for the committee," he said, turning back to Mayor Barry, who nodded. "The project is yours on one condition—have these framed and hung up at city hall."
"Absolutely."
Meg looked down her nose at us.
"You can't say we don't deserve this development," Hunter said to Meg.
She pursed her lips then said, "We're going to give the project to Greyson Hotel Group and Svensson Investment."
I pumped my fist as the Harrington team filed out in annoyance.
"Thank you very much. We look forward to working with the city."
But when I glanced over at Hazel, she didn't seem all that happy.
35
Hazel
"Break out the champagne. We are in the convention center business!" Archer hollered as we walked into the Svenssons' estate house.
"You are so obnoxious," Greg said, walking in behind us.
"So that's that. You have your factory," I said.
"Worried you won't see me as much?" Archer asked, laughing as we walked into the kitchen.
"She's probably tired of you," Hunter said. "I'm about to have you shipped back to Manhattan with Greg."
"We still have a lot more together time, Hunter," Archer said, slipping off his sunglasses. "Currently we have the factory site is under option. It's a period where we have first right of refusal. Normally you use that time period to convince banks to loan you money. Lucky for me, I'm dealing with the Bank of Svensson."
He slapped Greg on the back. Greg growled at him, and Archer snatched his hand back.
"Stop being so cocky. We need to make sure this is actually going to work," Mike warned. "We need to nail down a site for the hotel rooms to serve the conference center."
Mike turned to me. "If you know of a secret interdimensional portal where I can put a bazillion rooms, let me know."
"So it's happening!" Josie said, coming into the kitchen from the conservatory.
"All thanks to Hazel," Eli said, carrying in the posters and plans from the presentation.
Josie hugged me. "Now we can have the big fancy gala there!"
"Hell yeah. I love a party," Archer said, rubbing his hands together.
"No swearing," Hunter chastised.
"Yeah, Archer, no bad language!" Henry and Peyton shouted, running over and throwing themselves at Archer as he handed Hunter a credit card.
"What's that for?" I asked.
"Swear words are a hundred dollars each," Hunter said, swiping Archer's credit card. He had a name-brand cell phone card reader, I noticed. I resolved to keep my language clean. I could not afford a surprise hundred-dollar fine.
