Page 5 of Taming the CEO

"I can bring you dinner."

"I have some leftovers in the fridge."

"Want me to warm them up for you?" I asked.

"You don't have to coddle me, Cami."

"I disagree. You've got a migraine."

"You always spoil me."

"Well, you're my dad. Of course I do." I checked the time. "But I don't want to be late. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I won't. Now go on. Give Maddox a fair chance."

"I will," I said, and I intended to. Even though I truly couldn't imagine selling.

***

I arrived at the Gris with two minutes to spare. I was nervous, I had to admit. I walked inside and straight to the restaurant, wondering if the reservation was under Whitley or Maddox or something else entirely. Had my dad made it? I should have asked him.

The place was busy, as it always was in the evening. I waited in the area near the bar and hostess stand. While they didn’t maintain an official hostess on payroll, usually someone from the waitstaff would lead diners to their table.

I tried to look for my dinner companion, but maybe he hadn't arrived. I scanned the crowd. It was a mix of locals and tourists, as usual.

As I waited, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations.

One in particular got my attention.

"Are you intending to move here? Do you like the area? I’m born and bred in Essex and can’t imagine living anywhere else," Joel, the bartender, asked the guy perched on the seat nearest to me. He was definitely not a local. I’d never seen him in here before or I would have remembered. He was very handsome.

I could only see his profile, but it was nearly perfect. High cheekbones, straight nose, and what looked to be brown eyes—it was hard to tell for sure from this angle. His arms looked muscular, defined enough that I could tell through the shirt he was wearing.

"No, small towns aren't my thing," he said. "It's charming but dead boring. Essex... well, from what I can tell, it lacks life." Well, that just dropped his hotness factor. "But I'm here for business. I'm sure another hotel will do well here."

I stilled, instinctively knowing this was Maddox even before the bartender said, "Got it. I wish you the best of luck, Mr. Whitley. We always welcome new business in town—even if it is competition."

I walked right up to him. I couldn't help myself.

"Oh, Cami, you're here. I didn't see you earlier," Joel said.

Maddox looked straight at me. "Cami... Samuel’s daughter?"

"Yes. Dad couldn't come. He's down with a migraine, so it's just me tonight." Okay, maybe I was a little curt, but he'd slighted my hometown.

"Our table is ready," he said. "I was just waiting by the bar for you to arrive."

He pointed at a table on the other side of the room.

I walked in front of him, carefully placing one foot in front of the other. The last thing I wanted was to lose my balance or make a fool of myself in front of Maddox.

He held my chair, which I appreciated, and I sat down. Extra points given for having manners. But still, that didn't make up for his condescending attitude toward small towns.

He sat opposite me and said, "Pity your dad couldn't make it. But I'm glad to meet with you and get the ball rolling."

I narrowed my eyes, not sure of his attitude. "I just have one question. Why do you even want to open a hotel here if you think, and I quote, 'small towns are boring and lack life'?"

Maddox jerked back slightly. Clearly, he wasn't used to being challenged. "I didn't realize you heard that."

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