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She had yet to thank hih Saturday had rolled into Sunday and she’d spent the day cleaning and picking up groceries…she hadn’t noticed the fridge, but she had noticed Tommy’s empty food bowl Noas Monday and the opportunity hadn’t arisen

She wasn’t sure what she’d say She’d glih the lobby and her heart had given a little leap just at the sight of hi for him She hadn’t wanted a relationship and even noasn’t a real one, but she couldn’t help her feelings She saw so s in Luca to love She kne she’d seen thenized them as they’d been blanketed in her own fears and insecurities The truth was, he was a conscientious, caring boss orked hard and was extremely capable Luca wasn’t the irresponsible playboy she’d expected He was nothing like

If she thanked hi now, she’d probablysentimental

She had to keep her head Soon Luca would be gone She’d get over her feelings She’d be fine She’d look back on it all as a beautiful time

Mari stepped into the lobby, her eyes taking in the changes that were ongoing The lobby was, for all intents and purposes, operating in half its usual square footage while the other half underwent its transfor worked on, there was still mess and disorder, and she wondered if it would have been better to close the hotel for a few months On the other hand…she looked at the staff They were doing a fantastic job of adjusting More than one had mentioned to her how excited they were to be able to take part in it all And while she’d felt duty-bound to try to keep a check on the plans, she could adood at his job The hotel was going to be stunning when it was completed

But as she turned, she caught sight of aabout hi of uneasiness swept through her Colleen, the employee behind the desk, had a smile pasted on her face but Mari could tell it was forced The estured with his hands and Mari heard his raised voice carry across the lobby, over the construction noise

But it was her job to deal with this sort of thing, no ave her shoulders one last roll, put on her friendliest smile and went forward

“Good afternoon, and welcome to the Fiori Cascade Is there some way I can be of assistance?”

Colleen’s taut cheeks relaxed a bit “Good afternoon, Ms Ross I was just explaining to Mr Reilly that we’ve adjusted his reservation to a room on the third floor Due to the renovations”

Mr Reilly was not appeased “And I was telling her—” he turned his back on Colleen altogether “—that arrangement is completely unacceptable”

Mari clenched her teeth He had presented his back to Colleen, the slight deliberate and rude But he was their guest and he had been inconvenienced It was her job to ser here, perhaps I can be of help You were booked in which room?”

“The Primrose,” Colleen supplied over his shoulder

Mari kept the warm smile in place The Primrose Room was one of their best, and it was also nonexistent now “I’inally booked is now involved in extensive renovations To compensate you, Mr Reilly, we can accommodate you in a third floor executive suite at no additional cost I’m sure you’ll find the rooenerously sized—”

“I reserved this rooo and it’s the room I’ll have,” he interrupted sharply “I don’t want a suite on the third floor I want the Primrose”

Mari breathed inher buttons, froerent tone of voice

“And I’rading” She tried a s to appeal to his common sense “Presently the rooer here, I do apologize on behalf of the hotel and will be more than happy toI assure you, Mr Reilly, our executive suites are beyond compare” Her voice ca, hating the confrontation

She tried to reainst everything she’d learned growing up That to stay silent meant to stay safe It was her job to talk to hiirl huddled in a corner hoping to be left alone