THE WOMAN WHO TAUGHT HIM TO STAY

king for Nathaniel Ashford would test her patie

but because he seemed convinced that every issue could be fixed just

haniel, she was

eception hall, folder clutched to her chest, as two m

d the original arran

steady. "The fountain blocks the entrance. Guests shoul

"You've been here less

ready found

gh sounded

to remind everyone he could buy the building if he felt l

re a pr

t a small discussion. I prefer gu

r stared a

ve little away. "Wh

ourtyard. Make it a highlight ou

o

r started to pro

ing. Take any professional objections

en retreat, then look

almost s

ound so

ink you had

she had to guess, he w

ne with the

ose. I've ba

uing and show

blem is everyone keeps waiting for your approval whe

ment. "That another cri

a bonus in

u're comfortable tellin

doing the job y

eans telling

ially

them, everyone suddenly aware their boss was standing a bit too c

thaniel ste

ow

welcome details, the new registration flow, the little touches she was introducing throughout the buil

once. That, more than anyth

he last page. "You want local bus

for anything they sell. I want the hotel wove

the logist

nning usu

get needs

There's a sec

ed an e

nded i

final figures. "You cut the entertain

e night memorable. The right atmosphere

the b

in why they bot

ooke

't about to soften it, just

oment, he clos

ah

led. "Easier t

pect it n

't drea

the corridor

more

tur

the seniors. Housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, front desk,

ll tak

ll find t

he was deciding whether she

it with

nk y

s Ro

es

ere to change

here to give people a

d in his expressio

see if

oved three new suppliers, and learned that the kitche

catering proposal

hford wants to see

ealize I'm

le. "I think I see why h

, surprised.

essio

cour

said he was v

r notes and fo

dy on the phone. He raised a finger fo

over your s

nd

some que

g this is

ant temporary authority over multi

to run the event. I'm not

ment heads r

ecisions, I need them to talk to me instead

"You really don't m

esterday. You s

d. "You're determ

stop giving

at the pape

to the event. Permanent staff changes, big spen

actual

t agree on

d. Lightning probably

lau

tight-lipped look he usually wore. Isa

med almost su

ed, snapping them b

end the new au

guess we'

qui

ped at t

r the investors Frid

hy

harge of the

the agend

. "You don't go t

vents that matt

one's

now after I see

ad, amused. "Yo

keep hi

le got home exhaus

a pile of problems, but for the first ti

ag on the sofa,

Chloe: Did the bill

He signed off on my plan after

ght away: So, jus

hed and close

hone

han

is name, hesita

Ash

abe

First time he'd used her

hing w

if you've seen the r

my notes to Dani

't gotte

ask Da

pa

talk abou

off the

t really a

swer you're getti

She could ima

ict about b

like you assume everyon

le li

stants who smooth

and short. "Goo

ght, Na

could turn a simple ca

, Nathaniel sta

ore he finished speaking. Everyone anticipated his

talk to his assistant and

ve found i

he was

hat felt li