Page 9 of Love Me Forever

Chapter Three

Travis

Ispent the afternoonon calls with candidates I was interviewing for the marketing and sales positions. Several friends and even my brothers couldn’t understand why I didn’t delegate this to a headhunting firm, but I’d done that in the past and wasn’t satisfied with the results. Hiring was personal for me. I needed to click with my team—especially at the management level.

The interviewees this afternoon didn’t impress me, but I had more interviews scheduled. I’d planned today and next week meticulously. I would focus on recruiting.

And there wasBonnie. I was going to make time for her.

I went down to the lobby about half an hour before I was supposed to pick her up, wanting a drink and a chat with the bartender first. Business was still on my mind.

The Winston Hotel was one of the smallest I’d ever stayed in. There were only two other guests here, and I was surprised the bar was open. It was decorated in a lot of dark blue and white, which was fitting for the location, I supposed.

When I stepped into the bar area, I noticed Tim, the hotel manager, sitting on a stool. There was no one else there except him and the bartender. He looked far more relaxed than he had this morning.

He nodded when he saw me. "Maxwell!"

I couldn't let this opportunity pass. Dad always said he made some of his best deals out of the office. I had plenty of time until I was meeting Bonnie, so I went straight to him.

"This seat taken?" I asked, pointing at the one next to him. He shook his head. "What are you drinking?"

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I was thinking scotch."

"I'm buying."

He chuckled. “Relentless, are you?”

He was on to me, and I wasn't going to dispute it.

"Hey, I'm seizing the opportunity," I said.

As the bartender put the scotch in front of us, we clinked glasses, and he took a sip. I did the same, satisfied with the quality. It was a Glenmorangie Grand Vintage, year 1996.

I wasn't going to push like I had that morning. I first wanted to hear what kept him from accepting. He hadn't wanted to tell me earlier, but I had a feeling he would now.

“I walked around the area at lunch,” I said.

“Yeah, where did you go?”

“Went to the beach, then ate seafood at The Fish.”

“It’s excellent, but my clothes stink to high heaven after a trip there. Don’t know why they can’t get their ventilation working properly.”

I smiled, remembering that was exactly what the sexy brunette had said.

“True, but the quality, the food, is well worth it.”

“Try Barney’s while you’re here. Great pizza.”

“I will. Thanks for the rec. I have to say, the area here is an interesting change of pace.”

---