When two men laugh, I blush.
Haruki says, “No formalities needed. We’re here to celebrate, right?”
I feel a little embarrassed, but I agree with them. Let’s just get this thing over with.
Byron smiles, skin creasing. “We’ll all take a whiskey soda.”
The bar tender smiles huge as Byron hands the guy a hundred-dollar bill. “Coming right up, boss.”
It’s the little things that count.
The donors are pleased by the gesture, and we get our drinks fast.
Our job is to sit and smile, and look as nice as possible. That’s it, really. But I keep checking my phone under the table.
It’s dangerous, but I need to know if Rocco is okay. I still don’t know when he’s set to fly in, or how. All I know is that he’s got a guy working on something.
That’s it. Really.
I break my own rule by texting him.
“I love you. Please be safe. I’m worried about this entire thing.”
Ten minutes later, there’s no response, so I decide to shut off my phone.
“Everything all right, dear?” Byron asks.
“It’s perfect,” I say. “Just shutting off my phone, so I can be more attentive.”
My heart is beating a million miles a minute. When he looks at me, he stares straight into my eyes. It’s like he’s analyzing my every move.
I swallow my drink slowly and eye Dasha. She smiles and puts on a charming act.
“What got you into the business?” Dasha asks Haruki.
“Money,” the man laughs.
“I can agree with that,” Byron exclaims, slamming his palm against the table. “Bartender! Another round of drinks, please.”
Byron leans over the table. “Let’s get down to business. We’re here because of what Haruki just mentioned. Money. And I want you to know that I’m very confident in my company name. We’re starting big, right?”
“Very big,” Ayumi says. “It’s a huge step to start our foundations in the West. This is your first hotel here, correct?”
“Correct. We’ve never built anything in Colorado before,” I speak up.
Byron glares at me. “That’s not entirely accurate. We helped build the golf course in town,” Byron lies.
My father donated some money once, but that’s it.
He continues. “That project was a huge success. But now we’re going bigger. We’re always looking for opportunities to expand our business. We know you’re the same. You want money. You want to pay your employees well. You’re good people. This hotel is the first step in a large plan to expand this city into something wonderful.”
“Well, you couldn’t have picked a better city,” Dasha says. “If you’re expanding, you can count me in. I’ll donate all the savings I have.”
“You see,” Byron exclaims. “She’s ready to donate the last of her pennies. It’s beautiful what we can achieve when we expand our horizons.”
The schmoozing goes on for almost two hours, and even though I’m getting tipsy, I want to get out of here. Out of this city and into the arms of the man who loves me.
Overhead, I hear a jet’s engine roar. Every time I hear that sound, I can’t help but wonder if Rocco is on one of those planes.