Page 21 of The Last Resort
Okay, so what’s on the to do list for today, Rachel?
First up, was concepts. She had to create a site plan that would not only get approved by the city planning committee, but which she and the Brocks could then use to pressure prospective buyers into accepting.
The central theme of that plan would be this building. The old lodge. In a worst case scenario some other parts of the site might still have to go, but if they could save the original main lodge, it would be a significant victory. It all came down to who the potential buyers were and the council’s appetite for preservation.
With cash in the bank she could now afford to update her expensive annual subscriptions for various pieces of architectural software. She’d already ordered an office printer/scanner online this morning. It would enable her to take copies of all the documents Dan’s parents were able to uncover. Never again would she take the simple things like work equipment for granted. Not fully appreciating what you had until it was gone had been a hard lesson. One she wasn’t going to forget.
Taking a bite of her spinach muffin, Rachel blissfully chewed away. Matthew’s response to her text was exactly how she’d hoped it would be, fun and flirty. Full of promise.
It would be nice to share this project with him. He seemed the type of guy who might find it interesting. Once the planning meeting was over, and any developers keen to make an offer knew where they stood, she’d talk to him. Keeping her real occupation a secret from her new friend wasn’t something she liked having to do, but it was necessary. Her contract with the Brocks was clear—no one was to know that they had engaged her as their architect.
I think he’d really dig this place.
After finishing up the last of the delicious muffin, she stuffed the empty coffee cup into the bag, and set it on the floor next to her brown leather satchel. Her trash would be going with her when she left.
Rachel stood, cleared her throat, and addressed the empty lobby. “Good morning, ma’am, my name is Rachel Little, and I am here to take your measurements. I’m hoping that you will consider my respectful suggestions for having a little work done. Just a nip and tuck, something to freshen up your appearance.”
Her phone pinged again, halting her speech to the grand old lady.
Back late Tues. C U Wed at the café?
The familiar comfort in Matthew’s words had her quiet, lonely heart stirring from its deep slumber.He’s nice. Maybe you are ready to give a nice man a chance.
Her thumbs hovered over the keys. “Shoot, he sent me a hug emoji.” How did she respond to that? If she was going to flirt with him, she wanted to do it face to face.
But what if I sendhim a smiley face?
She thought about it for a minute but just as she was on the verge of sending Matthew another message, the patchy Wi-Fi signal cut out. Her cell registered no signal bars. “Great.” Rachel sighed and set the phone down.
With no signal, she would have to work offline and then upload things later. Taking her iPad out of her satchel, she flipped it open and clicked on her favorite surveying app.
The touch of her old world, her beloved career, gently brushed thoughts of the handsome Matthew Jones to the back of her mind. She had work to do. A project to complete. A life to rebuild.
“See you on Wednesday, Matthew.”
CHAPTER TEN
The offices of Royal Resorts,
New York City
That same day
Matthew’s assistant manager,notpersonal assistant, lifted her head as he tapped on her office door. “Good afternoon, Mia.” At the sight of her boss, Mia rose from her desk and came to greet him. Her face was full of joy. “I’ve been waiting for you to show. The design model for Aspen arrived this morning, and it’s amazing. I had it set up in one of the meeting rooms—you have to come and see it.”
He’d had an early start in Colorado, followed by a five-hour flight back to New York, but hearing that the design model was ready and waiting made the long journey worthwhile. Following Mia out of her office and to the bank of elevators which would take them to the executive floor, Matthew’s stomach was full of nervous excitement. This day had been coming for a long time.
Stepping out onto the secure senior management exclusivelevel of the Royal Resorts Manhattan building, Mia swiped her access card. The glass doors with their Royal family crown insignia slid open.
The click of Mia’s high heels echoed on the marble floor as they made their way across the reception area and down the hall toward the meeting rooms. A tap on his shoulder had Matthew turning round.
Following close behind him were his brothers. Bryce, the Royal Resorts CEO for North America, who marched alongside Jordan, the Royal Resorts Global Special Events Ambassador.
“Morning, Matty,” they both chimed.
He waved them away and kept walking. “Don’t you people have things to do?”
“Noooo, we want to see your class project. We’ve heard it’s shiny,” teased Jordan.
