I’ve tried reaching you on your cell, but my messages don’t seem to make it to you. The reception must be poor at your father’s property.
I heard you’re being considered for a position on the Grand Bohemian Board of Directors. This is a fantastic next step for you. As you may remember, I have connections to existing board members. I’d be happy to arrange a meeting.
Think it over. No strings attached. I only have your best interests in mind.
Warm regards,
Alec Dolton
Chief Financial Officer
Aurum Hospitality Group
She didn’t know what to think of his offer. Despite what his email said about no strings attached, she suspected he’d use the opportunity to convince her to get back together. But accepting his help would increase her chances of securing the board member spot. Conflicted, Ava texted her best friend in the city.
Ava: Got a weird email from Alec. Can you talk?
Morgan: Say less.
Morgan:Going to the break room.
Morgan worked in the marketing department at the Grand Bohemian. A former concierge who preferred memes to customer service, she switched over to marketing where she thrived. In a few short years, she was managing the social media department and was Ava’s right-hand woman for planning on-site events.
Her phone screen lit up with Morgan’s incoming call.
“Hello.”
“Alright, what’s happening with Clark Kent?”
Ava rolled her eyes. Alec’s dark hair and blue eyes, combined with square-rimmed glasses, were reminiscent of Superman’s alter ego. Morgan was a big fan of Alec, and more importantly, his money. She thought Ava was crazy for breaking up with him.
“He’s been texting me non-stop since I left town. Even sent me a picture of his morning wood the other day as if that would do him any favors.”
Morgan sucked in a breath through the phone. “Oof. That’s not the move, but it’s sweet he misses you.”
Ava scoffed. “I don’t care if he misses me. I don’t miss him. But that’s beside the point. He sent me an email this morning, offering to set up a meeting with his connections on the board.”
“Okay,” Morgan drew out the word. “So, what’s the problem?”
Ava was reconsidering her decision to call Morgan for advice.
“Don’t you think he’ll read too much into it if I accept his offer? He said ‘no strings attached’, but there are always strings.”
“Ava, babe. Do you hear yourself right now? Your hot, rich as fuck ex wants to help you out,andis pining for you, clearly wanting to get back together. This sounds like a win-win to me. You two were already a power couple before, but if you secured this board position? You’d be unstoppable. Take the meeting.”
She wanted the position. Despite practically running the place as Hotel Manager, she still couldn't make actual decisions. They followed the direction and vision of the board, which didn’t always align with the opportunities she saw in her day-to-day dealings. She knew what their customers wanted, and it wasn’t always what the board insisted on. This was her shot to influence the future of the hotel, and probably the closest she’d get to owning a business of her own.
Her dream of opening a bed-and-breakfast had gone up in smoke alongside her relationship with Owen, but it lingered in her subconscious. And if this was the closest she’d get to making it a reality, she would take the opportunity.
So maybe taking the meeting wouldn’t be so bad, after all. She could hold her own against Alec’s persuasions to get back together.
“Maybe you’re right. About the meeting, not dating Alec again.”
“I am right. About both. But one thing at a time. And —” Morgan cut herself off. Voices drifted through the speaker, talking to Morgan. She heard snatches of the muffled conversation, including her name.
“Can you switch to video? Some of the crew are in the break room with me, and they want to say hi.”
Ava lowered her feet from the railing and ran a hand over her hair to smooth it down. “Sure. One sec.”
