We mostly ate lunch in a comfortable silence. Towards the end, I began to grow more nervous and Ty clearly felt it. “What’s bothering you, Kate?” He smiled warmly and I wanted to run away with him. This was no place to build a life.

I shook my head as I glanced at my phone. “Sorry. I need to get back to my office.”

He peeked at the time on his phone. “Yes. Well, I guess I need to get my mind in the game.”

My brow furrowed. “Is this a game to you?”

Ty smiled. “I try not to take the business too seriously. This is why I love what I do. None of this really matters. I treat it like a game and I’m just one of the players.”

“And this works for you?” I studied him.

“Extremely well. Modesty prevents me from talking numbers.” He smirked. “Let’s just say my father regretted making me a commission employee.”

I laughed. “Seriously?”

“Yeah.” Ty nodded. “Sure, nepotism was how I managed to get this sweet position, but he wasn’t going to fork over a dime. He told me I’d have to earn my money. So, I studied the greats. I crafted my style.” He leaned back and took a drink of his soda before continuing. “Then as I grew more successful, my father offered to move me to salary. Of course, this would’ve meant a pay cut, so I declined.”

“Of course.” I shook my head. I could only imagine earning the kind of money he claimed every year. Slowly, I stood up from the table. “Back to the salt mines.”

“I’ll be up as soon as I take care of the check.” He folded his hands on the table.

“There is no check.” I winked. Then I turned and began to stride towards the executive elevators.

Seconds later, Ty had gathered his files and caught up to me. “I’ll walk you up.” He pushed the button and smiled as he stood beside me.

“This is a terrible idea. I’m not sure we want Mr. Nash knowing we had lunch together.” I bit my lower lip.

“Too late.” A voice growled behind me.

I closed my eyes. Why couldn’t the floor simply open up and swallow me? Shouldn’t there be some fault line around here? Slowly, I turned and faced my father.

“Who’s this?” My father jerked his thumb Ty’s direction.

“This is Mr. George, your two o’clock.” I stood as still as I could, even though I was certain my knees were shaking. I could be brave with my father. I stood up to him frequently. When I did, I was the one in the right. My actions were above board. At the moment, I’d just enjoyed a meal with a man my father would brand the enemy. Oh, and I’d slept with him the night before. No wonder I was swallowing hard and feeling so guilty.

Ty, on the other hand, looked calm, cool, and collected. He held out his hand. “Hello, Mr. Nash. It’s such an honor to meet you.”

My father crossed his arms over his chest and refused to shake. This would’ve bothered most business men. There was a code. Already, James had broken it.

Instead of letting this bother him, Ty clapped my father on the shoulder. “I hope you had a nice lunch.” He smiled warmly.

The scowl on my father’s face only deepened. “Not so much. I had to go searching for my assistant.” He glared at me pointedly.

“You didn’t have to look for me,” I argued. “You have my number. You could’ve called.” Clearly, he was determined to be disagreeable. Plus, I had serious doubts he’d been looking for me. I recognized an attempt to make me feel guilty.

The elevator doors opened. Ty motioned for me to go first, then my father followed, and he entered last. He moved to push the buttons, but I had already managed them. We rode in agonizing silence. I glanced at Ty, who was smiling down at me warmly. I would’ve given anything to be able to walk into his arms right now to feel the stress melt away, although I have to admit, even his mere presence soothed me. Then I eyed my father who seemed to be just as tense and angry as always. Why had I set up this meeting?

The doors open and I exited with my head down, eyes trained on the floor like when I was teenager in trouble. My father even muttered under his breath, “Go to your office. I’ll talk to you after.” With a shrug, I stepped inside, while Ty appeared sufficiently confused.

“Actually,” Ty began evenly, “I’d like Ms. Summers to join us for the meeting.”

I froze in the doorway. Did my father have to approve this or should I just take the initiative he always claimed I didn’t have for this position? “You know what? That’s a great idea. Then I won’t need to hear everything second hand.” I gestured. “Let’s meet in the conference room. This way, Mr. George.” Then I emerged from my office and strode down the corridor to the big airy meeting room at the end of the hall.

I opened the door then buzzed for Janet. “How can I help you?” She answered quickly and efficiently, same as always.

“We’ll need a pitcher of ice water and some glasses, please.” I glanced at my father. “Mr. Nash, did you want coffee?”

“Is it still decaf?” He pouted from the corner of the room as he stared out over the strip.

“Yes.” My brow rose.

“Then never mind. I’ll just drink water, but I won’t like it.” He glared at me.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I rolled my eyes. “Janet, did you get all of that?”

She coughed and I had to believe she was trying to hide a laugh. My father’s tantrums were legendary. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” Then I moved to take a seat on one side of the table. Ty surprised me by pulling out my seat. I smiled at him and focused on breathing evenly. My father still stood over in the corner, refusing to even come to the table. Typical.

Ty sat across from me and laid his paperwork on the table. “Mr. Nash, I’m here at my father’s behest.”

“I guessed as much,” my father grumbled. He glanced our way for the first time and slowly made his way to the table. “You should know, before you waste any more time or breathe, the hotel isn’t for sale.”

Leaning back in his seat, Ty smiled and laced his fingers together. “With all due respect, sir, everything is always for sale. Sometimes the owner simply doesn’t know it yet.” He winked and I wanted to straddle him. Right there. In front of my father. The confidence he exuded was intoxicating.

“Was there any respect in that remark? I say no sale. You argue.” He laid a hand over his chest and I honed in on the action. He’d been known to fake heart palpitations to end an uncomfortable situation on numerous occasions.

Ty’s brow furrowed and he glanced at me. I knew he worried over the heart condition too. “Mr. Nash, I’d ask you to at least hear me out. I’m just a son, trying to win his father’s approval.” He shrugged. “I’m sure you remember what that was like, trying to impress your father.”

Dad tugged on his chin and leaned back. “I do. It was a long time ago. I’m not sure my father was ever proud of me.”

“Oh, you had one of those dads.” He nodded knowingly. “Here’s the good news. You’re a grown man. You’ve lived a good life. You’ve built an amazing property here.” Ty leaned in. “Today, I had my first lobster roll ever in the restaurant. Amazing!”

“Yes, chef is incredibly talented.” He sighed and glanced at me.

I wasn’t sure where I stood on the potential sale of the hotel. Part of me feared the change, but mostly I thought about the freedom which would come if I didn’t have this job. Instead, I could chase my passions. Design could be my future. Vegas could be my past. I stared off in the distance as thoughts raced through my mind.

“This place is my legacy.” My father’s voice was weak. The color had drained from his face. A sweat had broken out over his lip and his forehead. I barely thought about it as I absently pulled a tissue from my purse.

“This place has become your prison.” Ty leaned toward my father. “Don’t you feel it? When was the last time you managed to get away, to truly take a day off, to enjoy the money you’ve earned?”

Dad dabbed at his forehead. “There’s more to life…”

Ty shook his head. “There should be nothing more to life than living.” He looked my way and smiled. “I plan to truly live.”

My heart fluttered and I could feel my face growing warm. I bit my cheek and looked away. The way Ty spoke. The way he looked at me. I couldn’t help but hope I might be involved in the life he imagined. This thrilled and terrified me.