Page 140 of We Can't Be Friends

“Aren’t we all?”

Liam laughs, clapping a hand to Ben’s shoulder, welcoming him back.

“Before I leave, I wanted to discuss our plans for hotels here.”

“How was the property in Miami?” Ben asks. “It would be sick. We could market it as a destination for bachelorette parties.”

That would never work. Liam would never go for that. Hayes Hotels was never meant to be a revolving door for bachelorette or bachelor parties.

Have we gotten some of both? Yeah, sure.

Have Liam, George, and I hooked up with a girl or two from said parties? Yeah, unfortunately.

But that doesn’t make it our brand or mission.

Liam shakes his head—called it. “I didn’t love the property in Miami. Plus, we have Boca Raton in development already. I’d prefer to see how that resort does.”

We ended up buying an area of land that is connected by small waterways. Different hotels are being built with primary restaurants, wellness center, and more on the mainland.

“Where does that leave us? New York or Los Angeles?”

The two ping-pong ideas back and forth.

I’ve kept my mouth shut, calculating my ideas thoroughly. Pulling up proposals and cross checking them again financial reports and construction budgets of similar properties. My fingers move quickly across my laptop.

But I don’t know how to insert myself. Is it even my place if I’m supposed to be heading back to London?

“The market is hot, here in Chicago. Why don’t we open a sister location here?” I blurt, quickly, but Ben and Liam keep talking, missing everything I’ve said.

I open my mouth to repeat myself, before closing it. Rolling my shoulders back, I ignore that pressure in my chest. It wouldn’t matter if I tried to say anything. It never has.

Liam, finally, turns to me, asking for my opinion.

“My vote?” He nods. “New York.”

“That’s it?” he asks like he was expecting more from me, disappointed.

“You’ll never learn, will you? You are such a disappointment, Callum.”My mom’s voice says in my head. The first person who made me feel devalued.

Liam taps a pen in front of me to capture my attention. I pick my chin up to meet him. “I can see your brain turning and you have several windows up on your computer. Share.” He levels me with a knowing look. “Please.”

I swallow down my pride, remembering I’m not eight, or ten, or eighteen-year-old Callum anymore; and Liam isn’t my mom or brothers.

Sharing my idea about a second location in Chicago again, both Ben and Liam nod along. I flip my monitor around to show them the quick findings I have pulled up to support my statement.

“You never do anything half-assed. Do you?” Liam laughs. “Smart, Cal. Real brilliant.”

My ears perk up.

“It’s only a thought. If you want, I will compile a new analysis comparing our options and include budgets, similar brand comps, revenue, etc.—”

Liam raises his hand to stop me from talking. “Callum. You can send it, but I trust that you’ve thought this all out. I’m in. Plus, I couldn’t even get into dinner there last night. We are at max occupancy for the next seven months. If we do this right, we can move quickly.” He gives me a nod before addressing Ben. “We should schedule a meeting with Elizabeth ASAP. If she can meet this afternoon, or tomorrow, the better. Our momentum in the city is high, let’s ride it.”

“Roger that.” Ben stands saluting Liam. “Wish I thought of that, man,” he says to me before exiting my office.

Leaving Liam and I to ourselves, I swivel my laptop around.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you, needing to talk.”

---