Page 32 of A Simple Reminder

The reassurance feels hollow, like a flimsy bandage over a much deeper wound. I’ve handled thiswhole-ass hotelonmy own—meticulously planned every detail—and I’m nearly finished. So, no, not everyone needs an extra hand. But I don’t say that. I rein it in because Liam isn’t my friend; he’s my boss.

And bosses talk. One wrong word, one slip, and the bridges I need to succeed in this industry could go up in flames. I know Liam would never intentionally damage my career—he’s not that kind of person—but the stakes are too high to risk acting out of turn.

So, I swallow the sharp words sitting on the tip of my tongue and settle on something more neutral and professional. “I guess we’ll make it work,” I say, my tone clipped but carefully measured—not outright defiant. The smile I manage feels like a fragile compromise—polite enough to pass but far from genuine.

Liam’s gaze linger momentarily, but he seems to accept my response. The air between us is still thick with unspoken words, but the immediate tension seems to ease just a fraction.

Adeline clears her throat, and her attempt to break the awkward silence is a welcome distraction. “So… Do you guys want to play Monopoly?”

FIFTEEN

SOPHIE

Last night’s dinner was a complete shitshow. We didn’t even make it to Monopoly. After the awkward argument—if you can even call it that—Liam thanked us for dinner and left. The sound of the door clicking shut hadn’t even faded before a wave of regret settled over me. My chest tightened, and a bitter taste filled my mouth as I replayed the night in my head, each moment more frustrating than the last. Thankfully, no tears fell. Explaining everything to Adeline would’ve just made the evening more challenging. We did, however, discuss it, and according to her, what happened was good. Now he knows. But, again, he doesn’t owe me anything. His focus is the hotel, and if two designers is what he needs, then I guess that’s how it’s going to be. My battle will be to reach the top. I need to be the best. Iwillbe the best, and this is my project.

I replay the evening in my mind, every word and tense glance, wishing I had handled it differently—a little better, less petty, at least, so that today would be less awkward.

I’ve been standing in the lobby for a few minutes, my body not yet ready to face Liam…and Jared.

The elegant chandelier overhead casts a soft, golden glow, contrasting starkly with the turmoil churning inside me. My feet ache in my heels, and I shift my weight, trying to steady myself for the inevitable confrontation.

“Are you waiting for the chandelier to fall, or?” a voice breaks through my thoughts.

Brian is standing before me, a slight tug on the corner of his lips. His casual confidence is a welcome distraction that relaxes my body, allowing a little laugh to escape. “No, I’m just not ready to meet the guys yet.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Well, then you’re lucky. Jared is meeting me for a tour in a minute or so. So it’ll only be you and Liam for an hour.”Great.

“Speaking of the devil, there he is,” Brian says, nodding toward the entrance. The devil is the right word. I turn, and there is Jared, striding in with that annoying confidence that makes me grit my teeth. His eyes meet mine, his winning smile on display. I resist the urge to scoff, my patience wearing thin.

“Morning, Sophie,” Jared says, his voice filled with the same charm that once fooled me. “Always the early bird.”

I force a polite smile. “Morning, Jared. Welcome to the team.” The words taste sour on my tongue, but to my surprise, I manage to keep a sweet tone. Maybe I should get into acting. An Oscar would look good in my room.

Brian, the angel he is, steps in to save me from this agony. “Alright, Jared, let’s get you familiar with the place. Sophie, I’ll catch up with you and Liam in a bit—I’ll need your opinion on the Presidential Suit layout.”

I smile inwardly at his comment. He wantsmyopinion, not Jared’s.Myopinion matters, not his.God, why am I like this?Who cares, it feels good.

Jared gives me one last lingering look before following Brian. I turn away, tense from the encounter, and find myself face-to-face with Liam. His expression remains stoic, but his eyes soften just enough to betray a flicker of concern. He’s wearing a simple white T-shirt that fits him perfectly, paired with dark jeans and black Ray-Bans, which are now casually hooked onto the collar of his shirt. It’s effortless for him—looking like he walked straight out of a magazine without even trying.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. He’s so close I can smell his cologne, fresh and woodsy, a scent that used to make me weak in the knees.

Who am I lying to? It still does. It’s a very sexy scent.

I nod a little too hard, trying to ignore the smell. “Yeah, let’s get to work.”

Liam’s attention lingers on me for a moment longer, his eyes searching mine as if trying to read something unspoken. Then, with a slight nod, his professional mask slips firmly back into place. “Alright, let’s go over the plans one more time.”

We move to the table where the blueprints are spread out, the enormity of the hotel project laid bare before us. Liam steps closer, his shoulder brushing mine, sending a flicker of warmth through me. I consider stepping back, but I don’t—I can’t. My pulse quickens, and one thought keeps circling in my head: is he going to mention yesterday?

“Do you think this layout will work with your ideas for the entrance?” he snaps me back to reality and I force myself to study the plans. The new revolving door is a focal point, but it might work in our favor with some minor adjustments. “I think this can be really good,” I say, pointing above the door, “but the lighting will need to be adjusted. Maybe if we add a transom window? With only the existing lights, it might be too dark for a welcoming atmosphere.”

Liam nods thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the blueprints with an intensity that makes me nervous. Does he not like the idea?

“Good point. A transom window will be perfect over the revolving doors. We’ll check with Brian to see if those changes can be added while still keeping to the timeline.”

As we continue working, the silence between us feels heavy, laden with all the things we're not saying. The soft rustle of papers fills the room, but it’s the faint sound of his breathing that keeps me aware of every inch of space between us. Every now and then, our hands brush against each other as we reach for the same pen or paper, and each time, a jolt of electricity shoots through me, making my breath hitch. The warmth of his skin lingers on mine, sending shivers down my spine. I try to ignore it and keep my composure, focusing on the task at hand, but it's getting harder every minute. My resolve wavers, the memories of everything that has happened playing a tug-of-war with the pull I feel toward him now. I catch his gaze flicking toward me, just for a second, before he looks away. It’s a small crack in his armor, but it’s enough to make me pause.Remember everything that has happened. Be strong. Don't fall into this again.I remind myself, but even as I think it, I feel myself leaning into the warmth, the pull of him that feels impossible to resist. When our eyes meet again, I’m the first to look away, my breath faltering as I scramble to rebuild the walls I swore I wouldn’t let crumble.

Liam shifts closer, his shoulder brushing against mine in a way that feels both accidental and deliberate. The touch sends a jolt through me, but I keep my focus forward, pretending it doesn’t affect me.

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