The Player + The Pact = I Do (New York City Billionaires #2)

Chapter 9

NINE

Leo

I don’t know why I’m asking any of my friends for moral guidance. Every one of them has been ordained in the church of I Don’t Give A Shit when it comes to religious outlook, though they’re all ethical as fuck. I suppose that’s what I need. An ethics lesson, because any understanding I had in that area shot out of the roof when I saw Jules in those heels. Worse when I saw her later in the day in bare feet. I don’t know why, but she was even sexier padding around the office, her hair down like it was a Sunday afternoon at home, than when she was dressed up like some kind of soap opera vixen.

The steps to Worth’s brownstone seem to have gotten steeper as I climb them. I take a breath before I go to ring the bell, try to fill my lungs, but somehow I can’t. I need to get my arse to the gym. I’m turning into an old man. The door opens even before I ring, and Worth appears.

“Come in.”

“Is it me or are those stairs getting steeper? ”

“That’s definitely you.”

I’ve got a funny feeling there’s going to be a lot of that tonight—a lot of “it’s you” revelations. Although that’s not the primary purpose of our midweek meet-up.

Worth and Fisher have called this meeting to talk about strategy for how to beat Bennett in our annual hotel profits competition. I ignored the new group chat at first. Like I give a shit if Bennett wins the competition? The Avenue is a great hotel. I’m too concerned about everything else going on in my life to worry about it… but the thought has crossed my mind that employing Jules as the general manager of The Mayfair might be killing two birds with one stone. But I need a second opinion on that, which is why I’m panting at the top of Worth’s steps.

“We need some kind of internal referral system,” I hear Fisher say.

“Or some coordinated marketing,” Jack says. “We need to work together and figure out what the strengths and weaknesses are, then compensate with each other’s hotels.”

Is it me or is it weird that we’re meeting up in order to defeat one of our best friends at what’s supposed to be a friendly game?

I grab a beer and sit down, listening to them discuss various ideas.

There’s a pause while Fisher types something into his laptop. The others hush while he does it. It reminds me of being back at business school, when we’d be given a case study to analyze and then have to come up with various solutions—no assistants or employees coming to us with proposals or presentations. We’ve got our sleeves rolled up and we’re in the weeds. Except I’m hanging back. I don’t feel as invested as I normally would.

“You okay?” Worth asks .

I nod. “The manager of The Mayfair just resigned.”

“Oh no. That sucks,” Fisher says.

“Jules wants the job,” I say. I know we haven’t come here to talk about me, but it is hotel related.

“Jules who?” Worth asks.

“My assistant.”

Confusion registers on his face.

“She’s got lots of hotel experience,” I say. “She only came to work as my assistant to try and convince me to hire her to manage The Mayfair. And she’s saying she’ll pose as my fiancée if I give her the job.”

“Sounds good,” Jack mumbles, reading over what Fisher has just written.

“You think?” I know he’s not listening, but I genuinely want to hear from him. I’m not looking for permission. I just want to know if there’s an easy consensus. Does everyone fall on the same side of the argument or is there space for debate?

Maybe I am looking for permission. If I don’t find a fiancée for the awards ceremony, I won’t go. If I don’t go, they might rescind the award altogether. I shouldn’t care, but I fucking do. I want the badge that says I’m Developer of the Decade. I work hard and built my business from nothing. I want to show my dad and mum that they did the right thing almost twenty years ago by moving us from Slough, just outside London, to New York City. I want to show my dad that all those early mornings meant something. I know they know I’m successful, and I know they’re proud, but this is a third party telling them, and the world, that their son came out alright. That I’m a success.

“Sounds like you don’t think it’s a good idea,” Worth says.

I start to give him all the reasons I gave Jules as to why it’s not a good idea. As I talk, Fisher and Jack both turn to listen.

“I don’t know why I’m questioning it.”

“So why are you?” Worth asks. Damn Worth and his pertinent questions.

“You know how I feel about the separation between me and the people who work for me.”

“Yeah, I think we all feel that way,” Worth says.

“Right,” I agree. “And Jules is… like, I’ve always been aware that she’s low-key hot, right? She’s got skin that sort of glows and her hair is always so… and her eyes… Anyway.” I shake my head. “I’ve always been able to keep her in a defined area, where I don’t really think of her that way.”

“Smart,” Worth says.

“And honestly, she makes it easy for me. She dresses kinda dowdy in the office. She pulls her hair back and wears these thick glasses. Do I sound like a dick right now?”

“You always sound like a dick,” Fisher says. “Are you concerned you sound like more of a dick?”

“It’s just weird talking about a woman who works for me this way. It’s uncomfortable.”

“You’re amongst friends. Feel free to be as dickish as you like,” Worth says.

“We promise to hold it against you forever,” Fisher says.

I roll my eyes but don’t laugh, because I know he’s not joking. He’ll make me pay for this conversation, I have no doubt.

“When she proposed this swap—she would act as my fiancée if I made her manager of The Mayfair—I dismissed it…” I trail off. I’d dismissed it, so why am I considering it now?

“You dismissed it because … ”

“Because she works for me and I don’t want her to feel any obligation. I don’t want to abuse my power.”

Lots of nodding around the table.

“Good reasons. What else?”

“And because I don’t want to put someone in charge of my hotel who’s not capable.”

More nodding.

“Is she capable?”

I’d taken a look at her résumé. She has lots of experience but never secured the top job. It’s not so surprising. She’s young, she’s a woman. There aren’t many top jobs to go about. “I think she’s young, but she’s got a fire in her belly, and yes, I think she could do the job. She’s the best assistant I’ve ever had, and I know it’s not the same skill set, but she cares . That’s half the battle.”

“Sounds like ability isn’t something you need to worry about,” Worth says. “What else?”

I shrug. “I think we’ve covered the most important points: I’m her boss, she’s attractive, she wants a job.”

“Let’s be real,” Fisher says. “You’ve got your hands full at the moment. If you gave her the job at The Mayfair, you’d be solving a big problem. And you can find another assistant—put Jules in charge of that.”

“And then she’s offering to solve the fiancée issue,” Worth says. “Yes, you’re her boss, but she’s not going to be your assistant anymore. When’s the last time you spoke to your current guy at The Mayfair? From where I’m sitting, you need to thank this woman who solved all these problems for you, instead of just wondering whether she’s actually the solution.”

Guess I just got the permission I wasn’t looking for.

“If you’re really concerned,” Worth continues, “hire her on a provisional basis. Give her three months to make her mark at The Mayfair. Then fire her if she’s not doing the job.”

I push my hands through my hair. That’s the perfect solution. “Right, and I might put her in this group chat so I don’t have to deal with you lot trying—and failing—to beat Bennett and The Avenue.”

“I think you’re a fucking mole,” Fisher says. “Coming here tonight to distract us from trying to beat Bennett.”

I shrug. “It worked, didn’t it? Anyway, the first thing we need to do is the unofficial referrals. Then we’re making the most of what business comes through our doors.”

“There needs to be a strict roster though,” Worth says. “Otherwise one place might end up with all the referrals.”

“Realistically, if walk-ins come up to the desk for a room when we’re full, they’re going to want to go to the nearest hotel.”

“And nobody’s going to want to go to Boston,” Worth says. “I should have bought a hotel here. Maybe I will.”

I laugh out loud and can feel the tension release from my body. The decision is made. I’m going to give Jules what she wants to get what I want.

It’s a win-win. I hope.