Page 5 of Mr. Almost

“She thinks the big wigs coming in will instill fear in the employees and get us back on track. She also said she wants to discuss which ones are unsalvageable.”

Meaning she wants approval for severance packages.

Great.

“All right. I will be there next week. I’ll send over the details once I have them. Try not to burn the place down in the meantime.”

He chuckles nervously. “Don’t jinx me.”

We hang up the phone as I lean back in my chair. I don’t stay off the phone long. I call my longtime friend and CFO immediately.

“Eli, we need to go to Boston. Shit is going down at the flagship hotel,” I tell him in lieu of a greeting.

“Well, hello to you too. Is this a code five? Do we need to leave tonight?”

“No. I told them next week, but I want to surprise them. Let’s leave Sunday evening and show up first thing Monday morning. That will give them a little time to prepare, but still catch them off guard.”

“Did Maxamillion fuck shit up?” he asks, using the name we used to call Max as a kid.

He’s known Max as long as he’s known me. We all grew up together. Along with our other best friend, Brantley. The four of us constantly got into trouble.

There is no way I could run it without them.

“No. Some employee shit going on. Not sure how it was missed, but we are going to figure it out. I’ll call Brantley next and let him know to expect us. He will want to hang out, I’m sure.”

Brantley is in charge of our other holdings in Boston.

“We’re getting the band back together,” Eli jokes.

I only shake my head. “It will be nice to be home for a little while.”

“You own a house there. I don’t know why you don’t work remotely.”

Chapter

Two

OLIVIA

“All right,Mr. Aldrich, here is your room key,” I say as I hand it over to the older gentleman. “Your room number is on the front, and on the inside is the Wi-Fi password. Check-out is tomorrow at eleven a.m. Do you have any questions?”

“No, I think this is it.”

“Great. If you need anything, just call down, and we will get you set up. Would you like someone to help take your bags up to your room?”

He shakes his head. “I got it. Thank you.”

“I hope you have a great stay at The Williamson.”

The kind gentleman smiles and nods before walking toward the elevator banks.

“You’re good,” Tristen says.

I look over at my new coworker and smile. “Thanks.”

“You have a degree in hospitality, right?”

“Ido.”