Page 63 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

She blinks quickly. "My mother is dead. She died when I was younger. Sorry, I thought I told you this. Maybe I didn't."

"I was just trying to figure something out. I can't remember if you told me," I say, shaking my head, my heart pounding. "So your father, he’s a single dad?"

"No, he's remarried. I have a stepmother and a stepbrother, Romeo, and?—"

"Oh, yes, yes, yes. Have you spoken to your father again about him marrying you off?"

"No, I don't particularly have anything to say to him about that," she says. "Why are you so curious about it?"

"I'm not. I was just wondering, that's all. I mean, it's quite an unusual thing, isn't it? That a twenty-something-year-old woman’s father is setting up an engagement for her? I mean, especially in a country like America. In certain countries, I can understand where they have arranged marriages, but?—"

"But what?" she says. "You don't think anyone would wanna get married to me?"

"I think plenty of men would. I just didn't think you were happy about the possibility yesterday."

"I'm not, but…" She shrugs. "It is what it is. I'll find out more soon. So, where is the latest place you're thinking about buying?"

"As I've previously told you, there's a place in Italy, a place in Greece, and I'm looking at some places in the Caribbean. Perhaps in Florida, as well. I want it to be a tropical oasis."

"I like the name Oasis," she says. Have you thought about that as a brand name?"

"Just Oasis?"

She grins. "That's it."

"I'm sorry, what's it?" I frowned slightly.

She leans forward excitedly. "Just an Oasis," she says. "That should be the brand name."

"Just an Oasis." I test it on the tongue.

"I mean, that doesn’t seem like it would be the ideal name for a conglomerate of resorts, but I mean, what about Oasis Paradise?" she says. "That would be pretty cool."

"Oasis Paradise Hotels," I say. "I don't hate it. In fact, I quite like it."

She nods eagerly. "Oasis Paradise Hotels, it's all the oasis you need."

"No," she says quickly, shaking her head. "Guess you don't want oasis in there twice."

"No, but we can come up with a different slogan. I like it."

"Oasis Paradise Hotels, destinations: London, New York City, Athens, Rome, Florence." She grins. "Where else?"

"Well, I didn't even know I had one in London." I grin at her. "But I guess I’ll have to buy one."

"I mean, you're from England."

"But no one goes to England thinking they're going to be staying at an oasis paradise," I say, laughing. "Though perhaps I can build something in the Cotswolds. Lots of people would love going to the Cotswolds."

"I'd like to go to the Cotswolds," she says.

And I laugh. "Maybe one day, you'll come and stay at the property there."

"Yeah, maybe it'll be on my honeymoon," she says sarcastically, and we both laugh.

"So, how was your evening?" I ask her.

"It was great, thanks. Skye stayed over, and we chatted. It was really nice having her there."

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