Page 3 of Single Dad Christmas

“Have you been to the hotel in Sydney?”

The heat became a full-blown inferno now as it spread through her whole body. How remiss of her not to have thought to go there, even for a lunch. It felt like a total ball drop—she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it. Or that Donovan hadn’t suggested it.

She grimaced inwardly as she shook her head.

His eyes sparked with something—she desperately hoped not disapproval.

“It’s hard to sell a product you don’t know.”

She couldn’t read him properly. One minute, she felt as though she was getting through to him and winning him over. The next, she felt as though he was building up to let the agency go.

“I’m not directly involved in advertising decisions,” she said, plaiting her fingers together in her lap. “My job is to take care of clients.”

He pulled a quizzical expression. “How, exactly?”

More heat. She felt as though she were being burned alive. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. About eighteen months into her relationship with Ares, things had startedto look as though they were getting serious. The palace had stepped in with protocol lessons for her—which she’d hated—and one of the palace advisors had worked with Louisa on her speech, ensuring that little placeholders like ‘erm’ were banished forever. It was an unconscious habit for Louisa—and most people—but having been made aware of how often she sprinkled her sentence with such words, she had learned to keep them at bay now. For the most part.

“I am asking about your role at the agency,” he clarified when she didn’t speak.

Damn Donovan, she thought with frustration, feeling way out of her depth.

“I listen to client issues,” she said, carefully. “And make sure they’re communicated to the team. In this instance, I will absolutely make sure a total redesign of the strategy is brainstormed and brought to you tomorrow. You have my word, Mr Fox?—,”

“Noah,” he growled.

“Noah,” she closed her eyes a little. Because if she’d loved hearing him say her name, then the reverse was also very true. “Your business is incredibly important to us?—,”

“I can imagine it would be,” he drawled, “given what I’ve spent.”

She tried to think of something positive to say and remembered some more details from the report. “Online viewing has been good?—,”

“Clicks do not equate to bookings. Christmas is one month away—the hotel should be at full occupancy. Not to mention New Year's. With the Sydney hotel’s view of the harbour, I would expect every room to have been booked out.”

“We should focus on those two things,” she said, tapping her fingertip against the edge of the desk. “Rather than the luxury of the hotel. Everyone knows Fox hotels are incredibly lovely;perhaps it was a mistake to make that the hallmark of the campaign.”

“Go on,” he prompted, leaning forward a little.

It was at that point she realized she’d overstepped. A lot. It wasn’t her job to come up with new campaigns. Her job was to schmooze clients and let the ad people do their work.

“I’m sure Donovan will have more ideas for you tomorrow.”

“Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Don’t edit yourself.”

She blinked. “I’m not,” she lied.

“You are. You have ideas. I want to hear them.” He stared across at her. “Now.”

She flinched a little, mostly from the shock of warmth that spread through her. This time, it was a nice warmth, a tingly warmth that made her whole body feel a little like it could float in the air. She glanced at a point over his shoulder. What could she do? The client was asking her to keep going. Besides, Donovan would need to start from scratch. Was there any harm inpointing him in the right direction?

“I just think, you have such an advantage. You’re not a new chain of hotels, you’re already a hotel experience that people the world over aspire to enjoy. That’s a baseline understanding of what you offer. Beyond that, though, you can offerexperiences.So, what does a Christmas at a Fox hotel look like? What do you do to make that special for guests?” Now, she was on a roll. She stood, without realizing it, pacing towards the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that showed incredible views of the world-famous Opera House. Noah’s office was definitely every bit as luxe as she would have expected. “We should focus digital advertising on Europe and Canada. Places where people might be getting a bit fed up of the cold weather. Perhaps partner with the national airline, to create a package.” She turned back to face him.“Christmas in Australia is a completely different experience to what it’s like in Europe. While I understand there’s a craving for many locals, here, to head to Europe for the snow and pine trees and puddings, the same is true in reverse. We need to sell this,” she said, gesturing to the sparkling blue sky, the rush of sunlight flooding the room, the crystal-clear air. “All of the things that make an Australian Christmas so different, and so charming.”

He had angled his chair, so he could continue staring at her, but she barely noticed.

“As for New Year’s, we can switch gears. Let’s focus on the glamour of that. I think I saw that your hotel has a themed party organized?”

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