Page 14 of Room for Improvement

Madam.She had obviously missed that bit of training.

Her socialfaux paswas instantly forgiven as she handed Vivian a small card. “Please enjoy a complimentary cocktail in the Sunview Bar while you wait.” She motioned in the direction of a nearby doorway.

Vivian smiled and took the card. “Thank you.” A short delay was always made better by a free drink. They might have been trying to bribe their way out of trouble, but at least the front desk was making an effort.

She left her luggage with the valet team and headed for the bar.

* * *

Bryce dashed off a quick email to his father not long after he arrived in his suite. The news wasn’t encouraging. While the front desk had allowed him to check in early, he suspected it was based purely on the clerk having judged his manner of attire.

The valet who had accompanied him to his room had left without giving Bryce the Royal Resorts personal welcome speech. The young man knew enough to hang around for his tip, but he clearly hadn’t been trained in how to show a newly arrived guest the features of their room.

He wondered whether it had been a mistake for him to book a private suite, but if the resort was going to make the global awards, Bryce was well aware that it wouldn’t be on the basis of their standard room offerings. Accolades were handed out to those hotels and resorts which stood head and shoulders above the others. The award winners were those that made their high paying guests feel their money had been well spent.

Closing his laptop, Bryce placed it and all his papers into his suitcase and locked it. If housekeeping happened to visit his room while he was out, he didn’t want them finding evidence of who he really was or what he was doing at the resort.

There were several new emails from Jordan, but Bryce left them untouched. The longer he left things, the less he would have to lie about his whereabouts.

Dad, do you have any idea of the predicament you have placed me in?

When he did finally speak to his brother, he wanted it to be after he had gained a full understanding of how things at Laguna Beach were going. His experience so far wasn’t setting his world on fire.

He was still operating on the eastern time zone, and since it was now well past five o’clock in New York, a drink was in order. Grabbing his room keycard, Bryce headed out, making a beeline for the bar.

Let’s see what the catering team has in store for Mister Jones. It had better be outstanding.

CHAPTERTEN

The bartender had been heavy handed with the ice. Vivian’s complimentary cocktail was nothing short of a soggy mess. Summer sangria was meant to be a refreshing mix of fruit, wine, vodka, sprite, with a sprig of mint. The ice was the finishing touch, not the bed on which the whole drink rested and then died.

At least it’s not going on my room tab.

Paying twenty five bucks a glass as it was listed on the bar’s menu would have left her furious. Resorts were notorious for their over inflated prices, but that was because the drinks were supposed to be fabulous.

This icy sludge is a far cry from fabulous. Watery and weary.

She tapped her hand lightly on surface of the table in front of her. There was something not quite right about the place, but unlike the top of the table, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The Sunview Bar definitely lacked the feel of a welcoming and vibrant drinking spot.

This place should be pumping, not giving off the silent vibes of the reading rooms in the New York Public Library. Where are all the other guests?

It was heading into the late afternoon, and the room was almost empty. A couple of suited businessmen hanging out closer to the bar were onto what Vivian guessed was their third bottle of a liquid lunch. A honeymoon couple was sitting out on the balcony staring lovingly into one another’s eyes. Apart from those guests, the place was bare.

She sipped a little more of her drink, then deciding it was a lost cause, set it aside and rose from the table. Hopefully things would pick up later when people started to arrive for evening drinks. With luck by then, the barman might have found his game and eased off on the ice.

Right now I don’t particularly care. I just want to get my room card and then have a long hot shower.

On her way out to reception, Vivian passed another guest who was heading into the bar. It was a tall, dark haired man in a stone colored suit with contrasting cream linen shirt. Clearly wealthy if the cut of his jacket and the expensive watch on his wrist were any indication. She recognized the private brand of the understated sunglasses which sat on his face. Her well-trained reviewer eye picked up those small but important details in an instant.

He gave her a cheerful smile in greeting, and Vivian caught her own reflection in his sunglasses as she smiled back. Hers however was a tighter grin, courtesy of her jet-lagged state and disappointing cocktail. She could only hope his first drink was more of a success.

Give it twenty minutes buddy and one lifeless drink. You might be heading out of here without that sexy, happy grin. What a shame.

They passed within a few feet of each other, and from the sound of his footsteps the other guest kept on walking. Vivian’s own pace however slowed. She could blame it on the impeccably cut suit, as she turned to take one more look at the stranger. That particular shade of fabric wouldn’t work on most other men, but then again, his ass did fit his pants to perfection.

Well-cut designer wear. Nice. Ooh, and super expensive shoes.

Vivian indulged her appreciative gaze before taking in a slow deep breath. Oh yes, he was a fine male specimen. Everything was finely put together. Even the way he walked spoke of calm confidence. And she could admit to being a sucker for a pair of designer sun glasses.

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