Page 92 of Rewind It Back

“Go meet him. We’re a luxury brand here, Hallie, which means we provide luxury-level customer service. If he wants to make decisions in person, go meet him in person. Tina will book you a flight and hotel. Let her know where you need to go, where you want to stay, and what day.”

I wait for him to tell me he’s kidding, that this would be a waste of time and resources, and something that can be done via email, but he doesn’t.

“I wouldn’t need a hotel,” I eventually say once I realize how serious he is. “I could go there and back. The meeting shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

Tyler shakes his head. “I don’t want him to feel like he’s being rushed. This is his home. These choices are personal.”

This very well maynotbe Rio’s home if he ends up selling, but I understand what Tyler is saying.

“If he has a night off from playing,” Tyler continues, “take him out for dinner. Buy a nice bottle of wine to split while he makes his design decisions. The firm will cover it. Tina will send you with a company card.”

I clearly didn’t think this through. If I had thought that jumping on a plane was a conceivable option, I never would have brought this to Tyler’s attention, because now I have to tell him why I can’t go.

“Tyler, I...” I hesitate, looking away. “I can’t do that. I have a second job. I work nights as a bartender, and I can’t afford to miss a shift.”

My eyes swing back to him cautiously, but I can’t read any sort of reaction on his face.

“You can’t afford to miss a shift because you’d get in trouble with your boss, or you can’t afford to miss a shift financially?”

“Financially.”

He nods his head silently, probably coming to the realization that though I may fit his brand with my design eye, I don’t exactly live out the Tyler Braden brand aesthetic when it comes to my personal life.

Wait until he finds out I got my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree from taking night courses online.

Hands intertwined, Tyler steeples his fingers under his chin. “I’ll pay you overtime for every hour you’re gone.”

My head rears back in surprise. “Wait. Really? Like even while I’m sleeping?”

He chuckles. “Yes. Even while you’re sleeping.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Are you still trying to make up for setting me up on a date with a married man?”

“Yes,” he says dryly. “Is it working?”

“It’s working great. Keep it up.”

“Find out the travel details and let Tina know.”

“Okay. Wow. Thanks, Tyler. I appreciate it.”

“Hallie,” he says, stopping me before I can make it out the door. “When I first started to try to break into this industry, I didn’t have more than ten dollars to my name. I spent my nights delivering pizza just so I could pay my rent because that’s how badly I wanted all of this.” He sweeps his arms out, as if to say this office, this view, this brand. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed to let people know how hard you’re willing to work to get what you want.”

He’s right about that. I am willing to work hard. I’ve been willing to work hard since I decided to make sacrifices to help my dad. Since I had to drop out of school and figure out how to get an education from home.

I offer him an understanding smile. “Thanks, Tyler.”

I’ve got a major pep in my step as I scurry back to my desk and grab my phone.

Me:All right, you win. Let me know where and when I’m meeting you.

My phone instantly buzzes in my hand, with Rio’s name scrolling across the top.

“Are you being serious?” he asks.

“Were you not?”

“No! I mean,yes, I was being serious. Of course I want you to come meet me on the road, but I was just being a needy asshole.”

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