Page 148 of Serving the Mogul

She shoved several contracts onto the desk and pulled out her phone.

“I’ve got several PDFs you need to look over. We’re already receiving calls about the Biscayne.” A brow lifted, she asked, “Any idea when it will be ready to open?”

“I just asked Tina if she wants to finish the job—the opening is still some ways out. You can call her and go over contract details.”

“Noted.” The light of her phone reflected off the lenses of her glasses as she read. “Gianni and Zoey want to come by for lunch. Is that a yes or no?”

I almost said no out of habit, but stopped. “Hell, why not?”

Miranda lowered the phone and eyed me over her glasses. “Huh.”

“What?” I raised my brows. “I can be amiable. I’m in a good mood.”

“I was ninety percent certain you’d say no. I was going through my mental file of excuses.”

“They never buy your excuses. I hate to break it to you.” I grinned.

A bright laugh escaped her, and she said, “Now, let’s get this work done. Then we can discuss what sort of lunch you want to have prepared for you and your sisters. Unless you want to get really wild and go out to eat.”

* * *

“I toldyou he’d have the menu planned ahead of time,” Gianni said to Zoey as she stepped into the dining suite next to my office. “I win.”

“Hello...I’m sitting right here,” I said.

“Nobody likes a know-it-all, Gin.” Zoey passed over a folded bill.

I stood to greet my sisters.

“James, this isn’t like you,” Gianni said. “I’m shocked you agreed to have lunch. But we could’ve just met at a cafe down the street. It’d be easier.”

“I have a five-star restaurant on the ground floor of this hotel.” I pursed my lips. “What’s the point of going out into the muggy heat to eat average food at a noisy café when I can have excellent food here where it’s quiet?”

“You’re so dull.” Zoey hugged me and kissed my cheek. “But I love you, anyway.”

As she cut around me, I hugged Gianni.

She gave me a startled look. “We hug now? Are you okay?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Gianni gave me a narrow-eyed look but shook her head. “Nothing. Never mind.”

I scowled. Was I that transparent?

“It’s nothing. Really.” She beamed and followed Zoey’s lead, going to the table to inspect the food that had been delivered. “How’s Tina holding up?”

“Um...well, she’s doing okay.” The one dark spot in my life—frustration over the fire—had me turning away from my sisters.

I took my seat at the table and reached for my water glass. I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the sprawling view of Houston. Aware of the dead silence, I said, “There’s still no actual news beyond what we learned yesterday.”

In a hesitant voice, Zoey said, “Gianni told me about the fire. That’s awful. I can’t imagine how she must be feeling.”

“Well, it is what it is.” I took another sip of water and placed it on the table. “But I’m here for her and I will make sure she gets through this.”

“I wanted to call her later,” Zoey started. “Ask if she’d like to come to my shop and see if she sees anything she likes.”

Turning, I met Zoey’s gaze. “Your shop?”

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