Twenty-Six
Joanna
“So, you’re on your way back,” my father said from the speaker of Jenner’s phone, where it was resting on the table between our seats.
“We’re about to be, yes,” I said. “The pilots are doing their final check, and we’ll be taking off any minute.”
“I know I’ve mentioned this already, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the work you two have accomplished this week. I just read the email from our architect, and his initial thoughts from your meeting are quite impressive,” my father said. “And, Jenner, I don’t know how you scored us that price. I was expecting a seven or eight percent decrease, but fifteen? Unbelievable job.”
“Joanna was an incredible help,” Jenner said, his eyes only on me.
I was pleasantly surprised when he’d chosen to sit across from me rather than on the other side of the aisle, like on the way here. But that meant there were only two places to look—out the window or at him.
And no matter how hard I tried, his handsome face completely owned my vision.
“I might have steered the realtor’s direction, but the meeting with the architect was all Joanna,” Jenner continued. “She has quite a vision for this hotel.”
“I see that,” my father said. “The architect mentioned it’s going to be my best property. Jenner, do you agree?”
“I do,” he replied. “You know I’m rather biased when it comes to Utah; however, I don’t think that’s the sole reason. There’s an elegance about this land, and the ideas that Joanna implemented are unlike anything this area has ever seen. Walter, your hotel is going to be a piece of art.”
My father wasn’t the type to praise one’s efforts, only point out their weaknesses. I certainly wasn’t expecting his compliments or Jenner’s.
But something had changed during this trip.
The way he looked at me.
The way he treated me.
“I’ll see you both in my office tomorrow morning for a recap,” my father said.
“We’ll be there,” I replied.
“Have a safe flight,” my father added before he hung up.
Jenner returned the phone to his pocket and watched me as the plane began to move toward the runway.
“Can I get you anything before takeoff, Miss Spade?” the flight attendant asked from the aisle.
I held my coffee in my hand, and some snacks were on the table behind me that I’d already dug into. “I’m all set. Thank you.”
“And for you, Mr. Dalton?”
He gave a similar answer, and we were suddenly alone again.
“Thank you,” I said softly, the plane picking up speed. “You didn’t have to say any of that to my father, but I appreciate it.”
His hand rubbed over the side of his beard. “I was just speaking the truth.”
I set my coffee in the holder and wrapped my arms around my stomach. “The night before we met with him, I had this dream about the hotel. I saw it clear as day, and I actually woke up and wrote it all down.” I shrugged. “I didn’t know if my thoughts would translate or if my ideas would even work, but I think it’s worth trying.”
“I’m not the only one who thinks it’s going to work. I’m positive the architect does too.” He pulled out his phone, tapping the screen a few times before he started to read from it. “You weren’t kidding, Jenner. She’s a true visionary and certainly the most creative person on Walter’s team. This design isn’t just going to attract; it’s going to win awards.” He glanced up. “I’ve known him for a long time. We exchanged a few emails after our meeting.”
“And now, I’m speechless.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Jo. You might be fresh out of college and a novice in this industry, but you were born to do this.”
I couldn’t help but notice how he fluctuated between my full name and nickname. I tried to decipher which he liked saying more and what occasion caused the difference.
But I couldn’t.
I could only concentrate on his gaze.
“That means a lot to me,” I whispered.
The plane lifted off the ground, and I looked out the window, watching us get closer to the clouds. “It’s been fun, working with you on this project.”
A heat filled my cheeks when our eyes connected. It seemed his stare never left me—something he’d been doing more frequently the past couple days.
“You know, part of me thought you might strangle me during this trip. I’m glad you didn’t.” I winked. “We make a good team, Jenner.”
We were just starting to level out in the air when he said, “I’m beginning to realize that too.”
My chest ached from the look on his face, the intensity in his eyes.
I almost couldn’t breathe.
“You know what else I’ve realized?”
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
“How much I miss you.”