Page 26 of Summertime Friends

“Did I tell you that Ben works for them? That’s why they reached out to us,” Blake informs me.

“Explains why we are branching out from consumer products.”

“Trialing,” Blake corrects me.

“Let’s be real. Margot is probably jealous she didn’t find the client herself. It is inevitable that we’d branch out.”

“About time, though. I’ve always thought we were missing out by chaining ourselves to consumer goods.” She sips on her iced matcha.

“That makes us experts in what we do,” I challenge her.

“I suppose.” She shrugs. “If I were to start my own company, I wouldn’t specialize in one thing. How can you be the best at all of it if you don’t work with all of it?”

“Are you thinking about leaving?” If she is, this is news to me. Blake appears happy and dedicated to anything that crosses her desk. I would never have suspected she would want to step out alone.

“Oh, no.” She’s hesitant. “Not at all.” Blake cuts her head in my direction. Trying to quickly assess my level of buy-in before revealing more of her secrets to me. “But if I did, would you come with me?”

“I’m not sure.” Yes, is what I want to tell her. I would risk it and go with her, I think. Maybe, finally, be behind the camera full-time instead of directing it.

“Don’t tell anyone I said that or have the smallest glimmer of an idea. Please.”

“What idea?” I wink. “Your secret is safe with me, I promise. Back to our current project. I am excited about it. The ideas are brilliant. This is the type of place I would stay at when I used to travel with. . .” I trail off.

Liam.

When I would travel with Liam during the summer.

“I know. The owner is brilliant. He’s only been working in Chicago for about a year. Ben says that they’re working to acquire three more properties. Another here and two others in New York.”

The thought gears turn in my head.

“Hayes Hotels, right?”

“Yeah!”

“How long has Ben been working for them?” I ask suspiciously.

It could be a coincidence. It has to be. The only Hayes in the hotel industry I know is in London, not Chicago. But also said Hayes always wanted to expand outside of Europe. And said Hayes was in a coffee shop last week.

“He was their first employee. Well, technically, second. Callum was first.”

It’s not a coincidence, and it all clicks.

I stop walking. My feet stuck in their place. Blake is a few strides in front of me before she realizes. She stops and turns around to face me.

“Does he work for Liam Hayes?” I ask.

“Yeah! Do you know him?”

My face falls flat. All the oxygen gone from my lungs. I ignore her question.

“You said ayear?”

“Yes. . .”

“This company has been here a year.” I point to the ground. “In Chicago? A year?”

“Yes.” Blake gives me a weird look. “Em, is everything okay?”

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