Page 31 of Dreams and Desires

I nod, understanding the gravity of her words. “Absolutely. The staff are a crucial part of this hotel's charm. They’ll be treated with the utmost respect and given opportunities to grow as we expand. I intend to invest in them, just as I’m investing in this hotel. Training, benefits, the works.”

Mr. Thompson leans back in his chair, considering my words. “And if things don’t go as planned?”

I smile, confident in my response. “They will. But I’m willing to include penalty clauses in our contract if that’s what it takes to give you peace of mind. I’m here to build, not to destroy.”

The room falls silent as they weigh my words. I can see the wheels turning in their minds, the doubt slowly giving way to consideration. Without a word, I take out a piece of paper, scribble down a number, and slide it across the table to Mr. Thompson.

He glances at the number, his eyes widening slightly, before passing it to Mrs. Thompson. She reads it, her sharp gaze softening just a fraction as she meets her husband’s eyes. They exchange a look, one that tells me they’re both on the same page.

Mr. Thompson clears his throat, more sure of himself now. "That's quite an offer, Mr. Patterson."

Mrs. Thompson nods in approval. “We can’t argue with that. You’ve got yourself a deal.”

I nod, signaling to my lawyer, who’s been quietly observing from the corner. “We’ll get the paperwork ready by tomorrow. Let’s make this official.”

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson both nod in agreement, the earlier tension in the room dissipating as we finalize the terms. As we shake hands, I know this is just the beginning of what I’ve set out to accomplish.

As I step out of the conference room, a sense of satisfaction settles in. My gaze sweeps across the lobby, and that’s when I see her. My breath catches, and my heart skips a beat. It’s her—Juniper. She stands near the entrance, holding a folder. Her posture straight and confident, her expression focused. She hasn’t noticed me yet, completely unaware of the chaos she’s stirring in my head just by being here.

For a moment, I’m frozen, caught between the lingering buzz of the deal I just closed and the unexpected sight of her. She looks stunning, effortlessly pulling my attention away from everything else, grounding me in a way I didn’t expect.

As I watch her, it’s like time slows down, and the rest of the world fades into the background. I can’t help but admire how she carries herself—strong, poised, and entirely captivating.

I’m pulled back to the present as she starts to move and heads toward the exit. Without thinking, I stride toward the lobby desk.

“Why was she here?” I ask the receptionist, faking steadiness in every syllable, though there’s something in it I can’t quite hide—maybe it’s intrigue, maybe it’s something more.

The receptionist looks up, slightly startled by my abruptness. She follows my gaze to where Juniper was just standing, flipping through her folder from moments ago. “She was here to drop off her CV for a pastry chef position,” she replies cautiously.

A slow smirk spreads across my face. This is perfect. Fate has a way of working in mysterious ways, but this? This feels like a sign, and I’m not about to let the opportunity slip through my fingers.

Chapter Fifteen

Juniper

I'm standing at the sink, the warm water rushing over my hands as I scrub the last of the breakfast dishes. My brother is perched on one of the stools behind me, casually scrolling through his phone. His relaxed laughter fills the room, a sound that always makes the day feel a little bit brighter.

“So, any luck with the job hunt?” Jacob asks, looking up from his phone with a curious glint in his eyes.

I turn off the faucet, wiping my hands on a dish towel as I lean against the counter. “I dropped my CV off at The Opal a couple of days ago. It would be an amazing opportunity if they called me back.”

One of his eyebrows climbs toward his hairline. His interest is piqued. “The Opal? That’s the best place in Cody. They’d be lucky to have you.”

Before I can respond, my phone rings, breaking the morning peace. I glance at the screen, and my heart skips a beat when I see the hotel’s name flash across it. “It’s them,” I whisper, more tomyself than to Jacob, as I quickly answer the call, my hands slightly trembling.

“Hello, this is Juniper,” I say, pretending my voice isn’t shaking despite the adrenaline surging through me.

“Hello, Ms. Harding,” a pleasant voice responds. “This is Maria from The Opal. We’re pleased to inform you that we’d like to invite you for an interview and a demonstration of your pastry skills.”

I can hardly contain my excitement, my pulse quickening with each word. “Thank you so much! When should I come in?”

“How does tomorrow at 10 a.m. sound?” Maria’s tone is professional yet warm.

“Perfect,” I reply, barely able to keep the glee out of my voice.

“Great. We’ll see you then.”

I hang up the phone, a wide smile spreading across my face. “I got an interview!” I exclaim, practically bouncing on my toes, the joy bubbling over.

---