Page 81

“Thank you, Daniel. Those details were essential.”

“He was having a full breakdown about it,” he continues.

“I wasn’t having a breakdown⁠—”

“You dragged me to the gym because she ignored two calls, then announced three times that you were done with her. And now you’re seeing her—whatever that means.” Daniel shakes his head. “Your self-control remains an inspiration.”

Tom laughs. “God, you really went above and beyond for that service lane.”

“And still failed to secure it,” Daniel adds.

They both laugh.

“I’m glad you’re both enjoying this.”

“We should add it to the community engagement report,” Tom says. “Personal outreach. No measurable results.”

“Can we move on?”

“No.” Some of his amusement fades. “You’re refusing to answer a public attack because the woman you’re sleeping with is involved.”

“We had sex once.”

“And it was only satisfactory. We’ve covered that.”

I ignore him. “A statement gains us nothing and gives the protest more attention.”

Tom leans back. “So this is purely a business decision?”

“Yes.”

“Of course. Sleep with the opposition, then protect her from your own PR team. Textbook corporate strategy.”

“Get out of my office.”

Daniel closes his laptop and stands. Tom follows him toward the door.

“If community relations comes up at the next board meeting,” Tom says, “you’re presenting.”

“Out.”

The door closes behind them.

From a business standpoint, saying nothing is the right move.

Rachel didn’t say anything in that interview she hasn’t already said. Still, watching her ask the city to reject my hotel the morning after our date hurts more than I expected. Some part of me thought she might hold back because of me. That was arrogant. Rachel told me the Hartwell would always come first, and I told her it should. She meant it.

My brothers see her loyalty as a problem. I don’t. I see a woman who can’t be bought with a date or talked out of what she believes. I admire her for standing firm, even when I’m on the other side. I don’t want Rachel to put the Hartwell second. I want to become someone she can make room for beside it. With a woman like her, that place has to be earned.

I’m halfway through an afternoon meeting when my phone lights up beside my notes.

Rachel.

The finance director is still explaining why labor costs rose last quarter, but I’m already pushing back my chair.

“Excuse me.”

Everyone watches me leave the room. I ignore them and answer as soon as the door closes behind me.