Page 11 of A Billionaire Abroad

Keighley had thought of hosting the event here, but none of those spaces made sense.

“We’ve the rooftop terrace,” he said. “Can’t say it’s often hired out entirely, but now and then.”

She met Conall’s eye. “Promising.”

“It is.”

“Let’s have a look.”

She was hopeful but kept herself grounded as they took the lift to the roof. It’d be a godsend to find something workable right there at the hotel.

In the end, it proved perfect. The space was sleek, modern, impressive. But all around was the city itself. The hotel could provide catering. Conall would definitely know some two- or three-piece musical groups who could come in to provide background entertainment.

“This could work,” she said, relief mixing with excitement.

“You got your job done and saw a good bit of the city. I’d call that a successful day.”

It had gone well. Excellent, in fact.

But in the morning, the real work would begin. She liked her work, but she found herself wishing she could spend another day seeing the city.

With Conall.

Chapter Five

Keighley sat in the usual spot in the hotel lobby the next morning, waiting for Sterling to join her for their morning debriefing. She held her teacup in one hand and scrolled through TikTok with her other.

After a couple of stops on the impromptu Dublin tour the day before, she’d gotten into the spirit of being a cheesy tourist and posted a few snippets of her adventure. Conall had even convinced her to record herself on the top of the double-decker bus, photobombing her as she did. She scrolled back until she came to that post. It made her laugh every time she looked at it. Friends and family had commented on it, more so than any of her other posts, all saying how happy she looked and that she seemed to be having fun.

She was. She’d had fun all day. It was hard to remember the last time that happened. Even while scrambling to find a venue last night, she’d still been enjoying herself. A text had come in while she was asleep—the time difference made that happen—from her best friend, asking, “Who’s the redhead?!” And another from her mom—an animated GIF of a cat saying, “Who dat?” Mom was a little obsessed with GIFs.

She’d posted shots with Sterling at the event she’d planned in New York. No one had to ask who he was. Everyone knew Sterling Westcott.

She opened her camera app and swiped through the pictures she’d taken at Christ Church Cathedral. At Phoenix Park. The Leprechaun Museum. She laughed at those last ones. The museum itself had been entertaining, with lots of enjoyable folktales and an interesting tour guide. But the pictures they’d taken in the gift shop were her favorite. There had been a giant plush leprechaun to pose beside, complete with leprechaun wardrobe accessories to sport. She’d said no at first, but Conall, being Conall, had talked her into it. She was glad he had. If nothing else, the pictures were priceless.

She looked up at the sound of purposeful footsteps. That would be Sterling.

And it was.

He sat across from her, coffee cup in hand. She’d seldom seen him without some degree of a smile on his face. It was missing this morning.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“A long day yesterday.” He took a swallow from his steaming cup. “You seem to have enjoyed yourself, though.”

She was confused.

“Your posts,” he said. “You forgot I follow you on TikTok, didn’t you?”

“I guess I did.” Was she in trouble? She wasn’t a child, and like she’d told Conall, Sterling wasn’t technically her boss. But his tone hinted that she’d broken some rule of his.

“Did you book a venue for the mingle event?” he asked. Sterling was always very business-minded, but he wasn’t usually this gruff.

“I did.”

The man actually looked surprised. Keighley pushed back her offended frustration.

“I told you I would have a venue booked, and I do.” She closed out Insta and pulled up her note app. “Friday night. The rooftop terrace here at the Marker. It can easily accommodate a group the size you’re planning on. The bar will be open. The hotel will cater with plenty of cocktail foods and hors d’oeuvres. I’m going to bring in a private serving staff so no one is trying to work the restaurant downstairsandyour event. We’re also looking into hiring a small musical group to provide some background ambiance.”