“She’s my best friend’s little sister,” I said. “I’m just doing him a solid, that’s all. It’s strictly innocent.”
Ben frowned. “Okay.”
“What?” I demanded.
“Nothing,” he said, shrugging.
“I’m serious; we’re just friends.”
He smiled. “You don’t have to protest so hard,” he told me calmly. “I believe you.”
I could tell from his tone and his expression that he didn’t, but I knew if I kept trying to convince him, it would only work against me. So I shut my mouth and turned my attention to the suite.
“Have some fresh fruit and chocolates sent up,” I informed Ben.
“Champagne?”
“Uh…no,” I said. “Fruit and chocolates are fine.”
“And, when I inform the front desk of her arrival, should I tell them to expect two people or just Ms. Sinclair?”
I paused for a moment. Jason hadn’t mentioned anything about Molly coming with someone. I wondered how I would feel if she did. “Uh… I don’t know, to be honest,” I replied. “Tell them to be prepared just in case. As far as I know, however, it might be just Molly.”
“Understood,” Ben nodded.
“Who’s manning the reception this week?”
“Alani,” he replied after checking the roster. “She’s popular with the guests.”
“I’ve noticed,” I nodded. “She’s native, isn’t she?”
“She was born on Kauai,” Ben replied.
“Kauai,” I repeated. “Interesting.”
“You don’t know which island that is, do you?” Ben asked, with a raised eyebrow.
“Give me a break, okay,” I said defensively. “I’ve been working.”
“When are we expecting Ms. Sinclair?”
“In two days’ time,” I replied. “On the first. Have a car sent to the airport to pick her up and have the helicopter on standby.”
He nodded. “Anything else you’d like me to see to in preparation for her arrival?”
“I think we’ve got all our bases covered,” I said. “Just make sure she’s well taken care of.”
“Of course.”
“What’s my schedule look like this afternoon?”
“Lunch with Jordan Helms,” Ben read. “Three back-to-back meetings after lunch with the heads of your managerial staff, and the eleven o’clock appointment to make the final decision on the act for the last restaurant.”
“Right,” I nodded. “Okay, got it.”
“I’ll send you reminders anyway.”
“Good man,” I nodded. “I better head over to lunch. Jordan hates waiting.”