Temptation(22)

“Great, Bryce is a lovely person and very easy to work for.” He is also incredibly irresistible and tempting and I was lip locked with him over an hour ago.

“That’s great Alexis, I’m glad you are enjoying the change. If you do see Lucy tomorrow please pass on my congratulations, babies are such wonderful gifts.” I knew only too well what she meant, my babies were the greatest gifts I’d ever received and I missed them so much, I needed to do something special with them this weekend. Maybe I could bring them in to see where I work and see the baby, I know Charlotte would enjoy that.

“Yes, they are the greatest gifts of all. I must be off Abigail, I’ve been summoned to a meeting with Bryce to brainstorm ideas for the new family friendly rooms in the Promenade.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Really? Hhhhm quite impressive Alexis.” She smiled and let me pass.

I made my way to the elevator, drink and sandwich in hand. Impressive what did she mean by impressive? The fact that Promenade is being renovated or that I’m helping with ideas, or something else entirely? I felt there was so much more going on around here, more than I was aware of. The elevator doors opened and Bryce was standing there with a sophisticated red head who was dressed in a grey feminine business suit, her hair was up and she had glasses perched on the end of her nose. Who is this toffee-nosed carrot top? He placed his hand across the elevator door for ‘Miss Carrot Top’ and smiled looking somewhat relieved when I stepped out.

“Thank you Jessica, I will see you next month.” Of course, Jessica. Ok maybe I was a bit quick to label her ‘Miss Carrot Top’. She tilted her head down just a little so she could see me over the frame of her glasses. Is she sizing me up?

“Yes Bryce, you will.” She stepped into the elevator and pushed her glasses right up to her eyes.

“Afternoon Mrs Summers.” I couldn’t bring myself to smile at her as I sensed a bit of hostility on her part.

“Afternoon.” The doors closed behind me and Bryce’s smile had turned to irritation, which I’m assuming was directed at Jessica.

“Alexis, you came back?” He leaned up against the glass window.

“I thought you might decide to leave.”

“I told you I’m not going anywhere. What happened was my fault and I won’t let it happen again.” I continued on to my desk.

“Have you eaten anything?”

“Yes, I ordered afternoon tea during my appointment with Jessica.”

“Ah, Jessica, who is she exactly? She obviously knows who I am.”

“Alexis, are you telling me your creepy research did not extend to Jessica?”

“Ok Bryce, let’s not play dumb, you told your therapist about me. She obviously knows something because I now have frost bite after her icy reception.” He put his hands down on my desk.

“Not bad! I may need to employ your creepy research services in future!” I looked up at him.

“I doubt that, you are very well equipped with those skills yourself.” Changing the subject, I thought I would get some information on exactly what this meeting would be about and what was required of me so that I don’t look like a deer in headlights.

“Who are we talking with at this meeting and what do you need from me?” I started to bite into my sandwich. Oh thank goodness, I didn’t need my stomach gurgling any louder than it had only minutes ago. I sipped my tea, Bryce was ‘smirking’ at me again.

“You really need to stop doing that.” I mumbled with a full mouth.

“What?” The ‘smirk’ grew bigger. I glared at him.

“We are meeting with my head designer Patrick, I want you to give him ideas of what you would expect in a hotel room labelled ‘family friendly’.” That doesn’t seem too daunting, I took another bite of my sandwich.

“He will be here in about 15 minutes, so finish your lunch and bring him in when he arrives. Ok?” He smiled weakly and headed into his office.

Patrick arrived promptly, I introduced myself and escorted him into Bryce’s office. He laid out some sketch boards on the coffee table and pulled out his iPad.

“Well, Mr Clark, as you can see from the sketches the transformation is not diabolical, adding some extra walls here and there, and taking some out. I’d like to change the colour palette to neutral, contemporary doesn’t suit the demographic. Furniture changes like bunk beds and sofa beds.” Patrick rambled on a little longer. I was almost certain this dude had no kids.

“Patrick, Alexis is a mother of two and I think her thoughts and expectations on what should constitute a ‘family friendly’ room are paramount in deciding the design changes.” Patrick sat back and rested the iPad on his lap.