Hired:The Italian's Bride

She had yet to thank him, though. 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. Now it was Monday and the opportunity hadn’t arisen.

She wasn’t sure what she’d say. She’d glimpsed him this morning, walking through the lobby and her heart had given a little leap just at the sight of him. She was falling for him. She hadn’t wanted a relationship and even now it wasn’t a real one, but she couldn’t help her feelings. She saw so many things in Luca to love. She knew now she’d seen them in the beginning, but hadn’t recognized them as they’d been blanketed in her own fears and insecurities. The truth was, he was a conscientious, caring boss who worked hard and was extremely capable. Luca wasn’t the irresponsible playboy she’d expected. He was nothing like.

If she thanked him for the painting now, she’d probably make a complete fool of herself and say something sentimental.

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 transformation. Even though they’d cordoned off the area being 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 admit to herself that Luca had been right. He was good at his job. The hotel was going to be stunning when it was completed.

But as she turned, she caught sight of a man at the makeshift reception desk. Something about him unnerved Mari. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but a cold feeling 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 man gestured 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 matter how distasteful. She gave 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 smooth ruffled feathers. “I’m the manager 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’m afraid the room you originally 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 room more than satisfactory. Our executive suites feature a generously sized—”

“I reserved this room three months ago 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 in measured breaths. Everything about Reilly was pushing her buttons, from his rudeness to his sense of obligation to the belligerent tone of voice.

“And I’m very sorry it’s impossible, as the room is part of our upgrading.” She tried a smile, hoping to appeal to his common sense. “Presently the room is full of plywood and power tools. As manager here, I do apologize on behalf of the hotel and will be more than happy to move you to the suite and also include breakfast each morning. I assure you, Mr. Reilly, our executive suites are beyond compare.” Her voice came out warm and confident, but inside she was trembling, hating the confrontation.

She tried to remember the exercises her therapist had taught her. It went against everything she’d learned growing up. That to stay silent meant to stay safe. It was her job to talk to him. Yet for a moment she became the girl huddled in a corner hoping to be left alone.