SETH
“Senator Everett asked me to personally thank you for the suite and your acquiescence to the late booking,” Ben said as we walked around the grand suite Everett and his wife had just vacated.
“He can thank me by lauding our hospitality all over New York,” I replied. “Did you tell him that?”
“Uh…no I didn’t,” Ben replied. “I thought it would be in poor taste.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes at him. “I was kidding, Ben,” I said. “Can’t you recognize a joke?”
“I don’t joke on the job,” he replied seriously.
I laughed, used to Ben’s rigid manner and unflinching professionalism. It was hard to believe that there was a time when I didn’t like him, but slowly and surely, he had started to grow on me.
I walked out to the large balcony to admire the view for a moment, and Ben was forced to follow me, with his clipboard in hand.
“This is heaven,” I said, admiring the breathtaking view.
“If it was, you certainly wouldn’t be allowed in,” he replied dryly.
“See? I knew you could crack a joke.”
“What makes you think I was joking?” he asked with a serious face.
I frowned. “Why do I let you get away with so much cheek?”
“Because you could never find anyone good enough to replace me,” he replied in a self-satisfied way.
“Fair enough,” I admitted. I saw the corner of Ben’s mouth turn up. “So, how are we doing so far? Any complaints?”
“None worth mentioning,” he replied. “A few construction issues on the west wing of the resort, but I managed to sort them out.”
“Don’t I have a meeting with the head of construction today?”
“Tomorrow,” Ben replied, referring his clipboard. “At five.”
“Five seems a bit late—”
“Five a.m.,” he clarified.
“Fuck,” I groaned. “That seems a bit early.”
“The team’s working around the clock to make sure we’re ready for our opening day on Christmas.”
“How many rooms are still under construction?”
“Seven rooms, two suites,” he replied promptly.
“What about the amenities shipment?” I asked. “Has it arrived yet?”
“It’ll arrive tomorrow,” he replied. “Or so I’ve been told.”
“It was supposed to have arrived three days ago,” I said in annoyance.
“There was a little trouble at customs.”
“Call Hans and get him to pull some strings,” I said. “He knows a few people in customs.”
Ben nodded and made a small note. “There’s also the entertainment act to confirm,” he reminded me.