Page 67 of The Playboy

And there was only one reason I would want that to happen.

A reason that was haunting me now, even as I stood here.

Goddamn it, I was in the middle of a business meeting, and I still couldn’t stop thinking of Brooklyn.

Or why she hadn’t gotten in touch with me yet.

“I don’t believe you.” Eden glanced up toward the roof, across each of the walls, and down the west end of the wing, where it led to the lobby.

But where her focus returned to was the dome above us. It had just been finished last week, the glass fully installed and cleaned. Given that it was now late afternoon, the sun wasn’t directly above us, but that didn’t deter us from seeing the beauty of the cloudless sky. We didn’t want our guests to have to leave this area after dinner to take a stroll outside to see the stars, so we provided a way where they only had to glance up.

“Because the last two build-outs we’ve done,” she continued, “the opening was delayed by over a month—let’s not forget that.”

“Were those build-outs with me?” I eyed her down, letting that fact set in. “I run things much differently than other project managers. When I give you a date, which I have, I stick to it.”

A conversation I’d had with the Westons prior to them signing their contract. I’d promised a completion date because without the hotel open, the restaurant wasn’t allowed to operate, and that meant they wouldn’t be generating any revenue. That was a promise I wouldn’t renege on.

“But just like your brothers, you’re faced with the same issues where you can’t force your crew to work harder than they already are, and that right there can change the completion date,” Eden countered.

I chuckled. “You’re right about that. A human can only work so many hours, and that caps production. So, what I’ve done is hire two crews, covering both shifts. When one leaves, the other comes in. I run my construction around the clock, and that’s why my hotel will be finished on time. Possibly even a week or so early.”

A smile peeked across her lips—but it was only a peek.

“I knew you’d like that answer,” I said to her.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, it’s true, I appreciate the importance of a deadline. In the construction industry, it’s rare, and I have a hard time tolerating any delays. But oftentimes, like the work we’ve done with your brothers, I don’t have a choice.”

“We have that in common,” I told her. “I have zero patience for anything or anyone who’s late.”

“Which is why we need to do more hotels with you, Macon.” Walker clasped my shoulder after he moved in next to me. “Where’s the next location?”

The question I was constantly asked. That bit of information was so under wraps that only our executive team knew the answer.

Of course, nothing had been purchased. Cooper was still looking for land, meeting with realtors, discussing our requirements, passing up on opportunities that just hadn’t been right.

But that search was taking place in Banff—a spot my uncle had wanted to build in for years.

“Here’s what I can tell you,” I said to the group. “It’s Cooper’s project, not mine.”

Hart smiled. “Ahhh, my man, Cooper. Looks like I have someone to take out to dinner when we return to LA.”

I chuckled. “Court his ass. He likes that.”

“And that’s just what I’m good at,” Hart replied.

“Why is it Cooper’s and not yours?” Eden asked.

A detail I wasn’t surprised she had inquired about. Whenever we worked together, I noticed she always wanted the full picture—not just the scenery that was inside the frame, but the weather that was above the photo and the kind of soil that was below it.

“I’ll be tackling a whole new beast once I finish things here,” I said to her. I shifted my weight, shoving my hands into my pants pockets.

“Anything we might be interested in?” Beck asked.

The money guy. I wasn’t shocked at all that he’d want first dibs if my project could be lucrative for his company.

“Maybe,” I replied. “We’re revamping a handful of our older properties. Streamlining processes, doing some needed remodeling. Possibly making additions to the existing structures. If space opens for more restaurants, you know I’ll be in touch. But for now, that’ll be my role for the next year.”

“How can you make more money? Always the question on every owner’s mind,” Beck replied.

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