Page 76 of Room for Improvement

Mia now got to her feet. She might have been the last one to stand, but from the expression on her face, Bryce dreaded her words. “Grace says you haven’t earned Vivian’s number. And while Sheila and I don’t know exactly what transpired after California, if she says you don’t deserve it, then we have to agree. Besides, that decision really rests with Vivian, not us. What I can however offer is the suggestion that you go back to your apartment, pack some Florida suitable clothes, and return here within the hour. Patrick and the jet are waiting for you at Teterboro Airport.”

His heart raced at a fast clip. From the depths of hopeless despair another chance had now risen. Once Vivian saw the press release that Royal Resorts were not suing her employer, she had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I don’t know what I will do if she doesn’t.

Giving up wasn’t an option. He was going to go to Florida and see if he could salvage things with Vivian. To see if he could win back her trust and this time hold it, forever.

Mia stepped forward and offered him an encouraging smile. “Call me when you arrive at the resort. After you inform us as to what suite you are staying in, Grace will then get in touch with Vivian and let her know you’re there. What happens after that is entirely in Vivian’s hands.”

Bryce picked up his briefcase and stuffed the press release into it. “Thank you, ladies. I really do appreciate your help.” He held out his hand to Grace. “I’m glad Vivian has someone like you in her life. I promise if things go well in Florida, she won’t ever have to deal with guys like Pete ever again. I will keep her heart safe.”

“What about us, where’s our heartfelt thank you?” said Sheila, holding out her hand. Bryce glanced at it. He was grinning as he shook his head. “You and Mia get paid to sort out Royal problems. Consider this as part of your job description.”

Mia and Sheila’s cries of mock outrage were still ringing in his ears as he headed out the door. Come quarterly bonus time, he wouldn’t forget what they had done for him this morning. And it would be money well spent.

The thought of money had Bryce stopping and turning back. “Grace, could I have a quick word with you in private before you leave?” Mia and Sheila took their cues and promptly left the room.

As soon as they had gone, Bryce met Grace’s questioning gaze. “I wanted to ask you about what Pete had done to Vivian’s credit card.”

For the first time since they had met, Grace offered him a tentative smile. “Yes, let’s talk.”

A few minutes later, Bryce had just farewelled Grace and stepped back as the doors of the elevator closed, when Edward hurried over. “I’m glad I caught you before you left. Could you spare me a minute?”

The jet might already be on standby for him, and he was eager to get to Florida, but Bryce always had time for his father. “Sure, what can I do for you, Dad?”

“We are releasing a press statement on the rumors of the legal action against Luxury Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. I asked Janice to leave a copy on your desk. Did you get it?”

Bryce patted his briefcase. “I have it with me, and thank you for getting this sorted. HopefullyLeisure Linewill publish our press release the minute it hits the media pipeline.”

The sooner news of Royal Resorts official position was made public, the better. If Vivian had a clearer understanding of the truth of things, she might finally see that he wasn’t a complete douche and would give him another chance.

“Yes, yes, the legal mess is sorted, but I didn’t stay up all night in order to soothe the nerves of a magazine editor. Your mother and I want to know if you are going to go and find the girl. Sweep her off her feet and claim her heart. Alice said she is hoping for aWhen Harry met Sallyending.” He dropped his head and gruffly laughed. “Actually she saidPretty Woman, but when I explained to her that in the movie, Vivian ended up with Edward, she had a sudden change of mind.”

Bryce chuckled at hearing his mother’s mistake. “How about you tell Mom that I would never rely on Hollywood to write the ending scene to my own love story.” He’d already done the grand romantic dash through an airport only to discover his heroine wasn’t on the same flight. “I’m going to find Vivian. I’m heading to the airport. I will be stealing your jet again but considering the fact that it’s in the pursuit of love, I’m sure you won’t mind.”

“Whoever is the first of you three boys to bring home a wife will be getting the jet as a wedding gift. I’ll even throw in the annual airport fees and the aviation fuel as an extra bonus.”

Bryce reached out and touched his father’s arm. “No. Please, don’t do that. It’s not fair. You go offering a seventy million dollar jet as a wedding gift, one of us is going to hurry to the altar and possibly make a major life impacting mistake. You have to stop pitting us against one another.”

The smile disappeared from Edward’s face. “Is that how you boys see it?”

“Yes. The three of us discussed it the other night, and we all agreed it has to end. We are brothers, not rivals. There is no prize for besting family.”

A pensive Edward nodded. “Then you have mastered one of life’s major lessons. Something it would appear I am yet to learn. I’m glad you are taking over the US operations, you have a good heart, Bryce.”

“Thanks, Dad. I have to go.”

“So, the offer of the jet is off the table, but your mother still wants a brood of grandchildren within the next five years. That is one lesson I have taken to heart. She has summer activities for all your children already penned in her planner.”

He could just picture his mother posting little washi tape images of babies in her journal. “Let me go and get the girl first. Just tell Mom I’m making no promises on the timeline for weddings or babies. Those decisions are not entirely mine to make.” He wasn’t going to put that sort of pressure on his and Vivian’s relationship.

First, they had to actually be in a romantic relationship. As far as he was concerned, everyone else was getting well ahead of themselves. “I’ll call you from Florida.”

As Bryce moved away, Edward gave him a small farewell wave. “Take your time. And I really mean that; don’t go rushing back here. If you have to spend a week or two in Florida to win Vivian’s heart, then do it. I can tell from the way your face softens when you speak her name, that she has already got yours.”

“She has, Dad. And I promise. If I don’t come home with her, it won’t be from lack of trying.”

CHAPTERFORTY-NINE

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