The other woman's eyes shone bright with anticipation. "Go on."
"Not until I know you're serious about him." Annabelle had come to like
Nick and sympathize with his issues. After all, she thought wryly, everyone had insecurities whether they admitted them or not. She ought to know.
Mara grew thoughtful for a moment. "I'm in love with Nick. Head over heels in love with the man and he won't give me the time of day."
Relieved, Annabelle felt more comfortable discussing Nick. "He has his reasons for backing off and they really aren't personal to you. So I suggest you take the initiative. Go all out in your campaign and show him he's worth the risk."
Mara swiveled back and forth in her chair and smiled. "I never would have pegged you as an advocate of women making the first move."
Annabelle thought back to her silk teddy and bold knock on Vaughn's door last night and grinned. "You'd be surprised," she murmured.
"Now you've got me confused." Mara crinkled her nose in thought. "Don't most men want to be the aggressor?"
Annabelle had no desire to give away Nick's secrets and merely said, "Let's just say that in this case, Nick would appreciate knowing you want only him."
Mara narrowed her gaze and groaned. "This is about Vaughn, isn't it?"
"What makes you say that?"
"In this town, all paths lead back to Brandon Vaughn. Besides Nick's made comments that lead me to believe he thinks I'm still interested in Brandon. Of all the stupid things. I dumped him and trust me, I have no regrets."
"Why?" Annabelle asked, not just interested but curious why any woman would give Brandon Vaughn the boot.
She shrugged. "No chemistry. Now Nick-" She swiped her hand over her brow in an exaggerated gesture. "He really does it for me."
Annabelle laughed. "Then make sure he knows that."
Anticipation sparkled in Mara's gaze. "I will."
"Now can we get back to business?" Annabelle asked.
Mara swiveled around in her seat so she was facing her computer screen and keyboard. "What do you need? Because anyone who gives me the advice you just did deserves my help."
"Not to mention your boss is paying us to work?" Annabelle asked wryly.
Mara chuckled. "That, too."
"Okay, here's the thing. I was thinking that we need to use Brandon Vaughn's generosity to counter the bad publicity caused by the sabotage."
"How?"
"By sending letters to all registered guests informing them that in exchange for not canceling their reservations during this time, they are receiving one free night's stay as thanks."
Mara nodded and began typing. "On letterhead, right?"
"Yes. And maybe we can include a brochure with a reminder that it's never too soon to book spring break?"
Mara jotted a note on a pad next to her mouse. "Got it."
"Okay then." Annabelle gathered her papers and stuffed them back into her briefcase, then swung her purse over her shoulder. "I have family back at Vaughn's that I have to deal with."
"I'll handle this and, sometime today, I'll deal with Nick."
Annabelle rolled her eyes and headed for the door, her thoughts on her obstinate uncle. "At this point, I'm not sure whose job I envy more right now."
ANNABELLE JUGGLED her cell phone against her ear as she searched for money to pay the taxi she'd taken to Vaughn's house. She slipped the bills to the driver and headed up the front walk.