A Suite Life (Suite Love Series Book 2)
Page 12
She felt like her face could break, her smile was so wide. Her evening just flipped from stressful to wonderful with his heartfelt words.
"Now I can't wait to mingle. Let's go!" She tugged at his hand. "I want to visit every suite and hear their comments firsthand. Even if some are a bit critical, I can take it."
And she knew she could. Everyone didn't need to love her work. That would be impossible, not even desirable. The fact that she was recognized as someone to watch out for in the artistic circles was more than enough for now.
An exhilarating and exhausting hour later, Trey strode onto the Trillium Terrace cocktail reception and scanned the bustling crowd for Delaney. There she was! Her dark, shiny hair swung easily across her bare shoulders as she spoke to Rob Unger, a youngish Weatherall executive from the London office. Her hands flew as she talked, and he wondered if she was describing a scene somewhere, waiting to be painted. Rob's inane smile and attentive body language indicated he was completely entranced by the gorgeous artist.
Blowing out a long breath, Trey strode across the terrace, beelining for the chatting couple. Stay cool, he chided himself. After all, she's a free agent.
He stuck his hand out to shake Rob's hand. "Glad to see you could make it." Now, you've seen the place, why don't you take your James Bond accent and take a hike back to London. "I hope you can stay a few days. Try your hand at fishing, maybe?"
"Can't Trey. But thanks. You know how it is. I'm catching a connecting flight from your little airport in"-he checked his Rolex-"about thirty minutes."
"That's too bad." Good to know. "Maybe next time."
Delaney politely nodded and slipped into the crowd, leaving the two men alone. Rob leaned in slightly, "From what I hear, you won't be here much longer either. Can't say any more, but you're one lucky devil, Trey"
Ignoring the reference to his likely promotion, Trey forced a smile and stuck his hand out for the second time. "Good flight, Rob. See you at the AGM"
Like a black cloud rolling over the summer sun, Trey's mood descended to melancholy as he considered Rob's prediction. He'd always known his tenure here at the Loon Lake Nirvana was short-lived, but he didn't want to go. He'd miss a lot of things about Loon Lake and the friendly little village. This was new, he noted, slightly uncomfortable with the emotion.
He glanced over at Delaney. Now she was in the center of a group of artsy reporter types, all attentively recording her remarks. Tomorrow's papers would be full of her quotes, he knew.
Happiness radiated off her face. She was having the time of her life. And he was glad for her. Confidence only made her more beautiful. In Paris, she would grow even more as an artist. Finally get the acclaim she deserved after five years in artistic exile-Buttermilk Falls style.
She lifted her head for a moment and her shining, cat's-eye green eyes caught his. His feet stopped moving and a cold band of steel tightened around his chest-and the truth slammed him hard.
He couldn't tell Delaney that he'd fallen in love with her. Not now. She needed and deserved Paris. His stomach clenched. He could lose her forever if she went, he knew.
Lifting her hand, she waved her slender fingers in acknowledgment and blew him a kiss. All very Parisian, he thought, returning her smile.
Roland Weatherall Sr. was a bulky, imposing man on any given day. Put him in a double-breasted black tux and up on a podium, his looming silhouette clearly commandeered attention. Just as he raised his champagne glass and called for everyone's attention, the automatic dusk-to-dawn patio lights flickered on.
"I'm delighted to be here on this perfect summer night to once again thank everyone for attending the Nirvana Hotel's gala. I'm extremely proud of the efforts of our Loon Lake team on creating a one-of-a-kind penthouse floor.
"As many of you know, the rest of the hotel has been open for several months. My son, Ethan Weatherall, created the one-of-a-kind glass-topped lobby and the amazing Starlight Room. He has already received acco lades for his flagship hotel's design excellence in the industry's journals."
A soft patter of applause rippled across the rosescented terrace.
"Tonight we celebrate the interim manager of the Loon Lake's Nirvana, Trey Sullivan"
He motioned for Trey to join him on the podium. "Trey has topped off the Nirvana with his own forwardthinking vision." More applause.
Goose bumps shot up Delaney's arms and they had nothing to do with the cooling evening air. Mr. Weatherall's obvious pride and confidence in Trey warmed her heart. She stood taller with his continuing words of praise, happily sharing in Trey's glory.
"And at this time I would ask the man responsible for originally conceptualizing this hotel, Ethan Weatherall, to join us on the stage"
Delaney squealed and turned, following the attentive crowd's lead, to face the lobby door. If Ethan had returned for this surprise visit, then Lily must be there too!
Ethan, looking tanned and fit, appeared from within the crowd and strode to the podium.
Delaney was struck with how relaxed and happy Ethan looked. His extended honeymoon obviously had agreed with him. Apparently that's what love will do for you, she concluded, recalling the uptight, stressed-out Ethan she'd met a year ago.
But where was Lily? Her friend was reserved, tending to avoid the spotlight-except of course, when fighting against an environmental affront. Then, she was the first up on the soapbox.
Delaney stood on her tiptoes and scanned the sea of heads. There she was! Her best friend stood at the edge of the crowd, her shoulder-length blond locks caught up in an elegant chignon. Long, drop pearl earrings dangled against her golden skin. A big change from the wind-tousled, sweatshirt-wearing marine biologist Delaney knew and loved. She waved her over.
"Lily! I'm so glad to see you!" Relief flowed through her as she flung her arms around Lily's slender form. Finally, someone who could give her some sensible advice. She'd never appreciated her best friend more than now. "You rat! Why didn't you tell me you were flying home?"
"I'm sorry, but Ethan wanted to surprise Trey," she said, returning her friend's hug. "And it was all a bit last minute. Plus I knew you and Trey were going nuts here the last few days, and I didn't want to bother you"
They linked arms and turned their attention back to their men on the podium.
Ethan spoke first. "I can't thank Trey enough for stepping up and propelling this hotel to the next level while I was vacationing with my new wife." Heads turned. Lily ducked hers in embarrassment. "I intend to continue to execute my duties as CEO of the Canadian Nirvana chain of hotels from right here on Loon Lake. My wife and I have already begun to build our home."
This was not news to Delaney, but she hugged Lily again, unable to contain her delight.
"The new, long-term manager will arrive at Loon Lake tomorrow to pick up the reins."
Menacing clouds rolled over the twinkling stars, and the wind gusted from the north. Jason and the patio staff hustled to gather up the scattering napkins and such.
Ethan was saying something else about the impending arrival of new staff, but Delaney had tuned out.
Trey would leave, maybe tomorrow, for some exotic locale-Morocco, according to the hotel's rumor mill. It was all happening too fast. She wanted to run. Hide in her suite.
But she remained rooted to the floor, searching for a positive somewhere in this awful announcement. Maybe they might occasionally plan to meet while she was in France? She cheered a bit. But no, she admonished herself. No, I won't be that girl-the pathetic one that chases around after a man after he's clearly moved on.
"I'm pleased to announce that due to the incredible response to this hotel, senior management has decided to bring the Nirvana chain to .. " Ethan paused for effect. "Asia"
The crowd shuffled and waited for his next words. "With Trey Sullivan helming the ship. He'll be overseeing all five Asian locations-from the ground up. Please welcome the new CEO of the Asian Nirvana chain of hotels" Ethan stepped back and Trey was urged to center stage.
Delaney could hardly breathe. She knew he'd be offered something soon. He was Weatherall's valued goto man. But this was huge. And exactly the kind of promotion Trey had been working toward.
She looked to Trey's face, trying to gauge his reaction. Obviously, the announcement had taken him off guard. Surprise, excitement, pride, and a millisecond of something she couldn't quite identify, all crossed his face. Quickly composing his face, Trey reached to shake both Ethan's and Mr. Weatherall's hand.
"Thank you for offering me this amazing opportunity," Trey said, directing his words to the ring of blue-suited executives surrounding him onstage. "Your confidence in me is appreciated. I'm confident Ethan's New Age vision of what a hotel needs to be in the twenty-first century will be welcomed in Asia, just as it has been here"
Delaney's limbs felt like lead. Her arm slipped from Lily's back. Trey looked so excited, in his element.
Suddenly she remembered how, just a few days ago, she'd almost confessed her true feelings. Thank goodness they'd been interrupted before she'd embarrassed herself-and him.
He smiled at the milling crowd. "But I can't take all the credit for the success of the penthouse. I couldn't have accomplished this without the unfaltering eye and creative genius of Delaney Forbes" Applause inter rupted his speech. "Also, I know many of you were intrigued by the small oil paintings in each suite. For those of you who don't already know, the artist is none other than Delaney Forbes"
Applause rumbled all around her, and she managed a smile and gave an acknowledging wave.
"Come join me in the Starlight Room," he urged the onlookers. "We have so much to celebrate tonight."
The double doors to the Starlight Room swung open as if by magic, and in seconds the terrace emptied.
Delaney sank into a chair, relieved to be alone with her thoughts for a few minutes. Now she knew the true meaning of the term "emotional roller coaster."
Her feelings had run the gamut from fear and apprehension to elation and pride to confusion and sadnessall in the space of six hours. Exhaustion crept into her bones, molding her backbone into the upholstered chair back. She let her head drop back. The wind had cleaned the sky clear of clouds and the stars had returned. The same stars that hung over Asia. And Paris.
Loneliness engulfed her. Life without Trey?
Trying to focus on the positive, she reminded herself of the prestigious art reviewer she'd met earlier who had applauded her upcoming move to France. He'd even supplied her with names of galleries and dealers to see when she arrived. She glanced down at the card and the quickly scribbled Parisian addresses.
She sighed audibly. Timing is everything, they say. A month ago she would have been delirious with happiness. Tonight, her elation was tampered by an aching sadness.
A whiff of sandalwood, spicy and exotically Asian, drifted from the Starlight Room. A sultry jazz tune slowed the vibrant hum of voices from within, and she knew the couples had returned to their partners for the slow, sexy dance. Content to rest against one another and leave the talk for later, they'd cling and sway in the heat-charged room. Music tended to reach into a soul and bring to the top what was really important.
"Delaney."
It was Trey. He stood next to the table with two champagne glasses in his hand. "Hi," she said, turning her upturned head toward his voice. His tux still looked impeccable, but now there were tiny lines etched into the corner of his eyes and a faint shadow of a beard dulled his jawline.
"I was just about to come in. Just taking a minute to catch my breath. It's been a big day."
"You've got that right." Trey handed her one of the long-stemmed glasses. "It looks like both of us got what we were after." He raised his glass. "Congratulations on your rave reviews."
Not really a drinker, she felt the occasion deserved a marking of some sort. Accepting the glass, she took a tiny sip of the bubbling wine, resisting the urge to wrinkle her nose when the desert-dry liquid hit the back of her throat. She pressed a fingertip to the end of her nose and blinked her eyes. People actually liked this stuff?
"Thanks," she said, choosing to ignore his sideways grin. "And to you too" She raised the glass. "Asia, no less. That's amazing. Even you won't get bored with a big project like that. Five hotels! You'll be popping from city to city every week, I imagine."
His stepped in closer. The sweet smell of his musky aftershave still lingering on his skin at this late hour, lured her into his space. Could she resist, if he opened his arms to her?
She twirled the stem of the crystal glass, and pressed its cool edge to her suddenly over-warm cheek.
"And you," Trey said. "You'll be right where you belong. Living in the heart of the Parisian art district, all paint-spattered and smelling of turpentine."
His hand stretched forward, and he gently tucked a strand of her wind-mussed hair behind her ear. In her hurry to get ready this morning, had she missed a streak of paint again? she wondered.
His eyes twinkled like Loon Lake stars, his worry lines fading, as he continued to talk. "And you'll be all cute and sexy in those overalls you wear while you're working."
"Cute and sexy?" He must have drunk a couple of glasses of champagne already. "Okay. Stop right there. You're obviously delirious, or drunk. Or your newfound power must have temporarily short-circuited your brain." She poked him playfully in the ribs. "But I'll let it slide for tonight."
Placing his champagne glass on the table, he caught her hand and pressed it to his chest, pulling her a step closer. "That was my first drink tonight. Not a great idea to overindulge at a function like this. I'm still running the hotel, officially, until tomorrow." He leaned in closer. "By the way, I love you in those crazy overalls."
"Well, you've always been a strange one," she joked. Or was he? After all, she'd considered him perfectly adorable when she'd run down to his office late in the afternoon and caught him with his shirtsleeves rolled up above his elbow, a fluorescent yellow highlighter stuck behind his ear, and a geeky pair of reading glasses stuck halfway down his nose.
Back in familiar territory and a more comfortable footing, she relaxed.
"How about a dance?" He stepped back and extended his hand to her in a move stolen from an old Gene Kelly movie. "I believe this is where it all began, my dear. Remember our first dinner, here on the Terrace?" He pushed his shoulders back in a bad Superman imitation and deepened his voice. "You know, the night I heroically rescued you from Flo and the terrible twosome"
As if she could ever forget. It was also the night they'd pledged to leave a clear path for the other. And, not fall in love.
"Of course I remember," she said, fighting back a hysterical giggle. "You stepped all over my toes on the dance floor."
"Well, how about it, then? Shall we end our acquaintance where it began?"
"Why not?" She slid her hand into his and they walked into the Starlight Room, just as the band oozed into Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight."
Melting into his chest felt like a homecoming. All the parts fit perfectly. No jostling or settling required. One hand rested contentedly against his broad shoulder, her fingertips enjoying the luxurious fabric of his tux. Trey held her other hand just the right way. Not so tight as to be overly in charge, but just enough pressure to make a girl want to follow.
Boy, did she want to follow this man. Timbuktu, Morocco, Asia.
She blinked hard. Her head drifted lower, her cheek now crushed against his lapel. Fainter, but just as irresistible, his designer aftershave further confused her senses. Not to mention her sensibilities.
There was no way she would ever pull out the commitment card on this guy now. His career was tied to a rocket, and eventually she'd become an anchor.
She straightened her posture, missed a step, and apologized. Not for any man would she sacrifice her dignity. She drudged up her old mantra: Think Paris. Think Paris. Think Paris.<
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"Delaney? That's the third time you've tromped on my toes." He stepped back and settled a fatherly style gaze on her face. "You're tired. Why don't we call it a night?"
"Sorry about the toes. I am tired." She glanced around the room. No sign of any of the Weatherall clan. "I guess there's no need for me to hang around any longer."
"By the way, Lily and Ethan slipped out a while ago-jet-lagged. Or at least that's their story," he said with a smile. "Lily said she'd call you in the morning."
Together, they walked toward the elevator, as they had so many times before. He punched Penthouse and the door opened almost immediately. They stepped in and the door swished closed.
They stood side by side, the six inches between them feeling like a mile. She knew this was the end of everything. Their work together. Everything.
In a tone that she'd only heard him use in a business meeting, he said, "It's been a profound pleasure to work with you, Delaney. I hope, if nothing else, this job has rebooted your confidence in your talent. Go to Paris and knock 'em dead"
Her throat thickened, and she concentrated on breathing normally. Focusing on the crack between the doors, she silently repeated her mantra again.
"I'll be in meetings all day tomorrow-with the Weatherall executives-finalizing the details. So," he glanced in her direction, "I'll say good-bye tonight."
"Sure," she croaked out, before coughing into her cupped hand. Was this really it then? "I'll be busy packing up tomorrow anyway. You know ... Paris and everything."
The doors breezed open and they exited the elevator, and he politely gestured to her to go ahead. Always gallant, if nothing else.
Her four-inch heels that she'd made a special trip back to 31 Lilac Lane for, clacked against the tile as she hurried along the stunning corridor she'd help create.
Her door was first, and she already had the key card poised for action. She stuck it in the slot. He better not try to kiss me tonight, or I'll loose it completely. At this point she wasn't sure if it was love or disappointment that had her so upset.