It was only on hearing him referred to as Balzer that I realized he must be linked to the Balthazar Hotel Group, Chateau Balthazar in particular, a hotel that I’ve been thinking about far too much recently. The owner is known in these parts as Balthazar, no surname required.
“You made me feel stupid.”
He brushes snowflakes off my eyelashes. “Winter, I’m sorry. Trust me, that wasn’t my intention. But I loved the fact that you were in the dark, giving me your honest opinions. Your ideas have impressed me, and I plan on taking them to my father.”
My heart clatters. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” His eyes flick behind me before he steps closer. “I want you on the team, Winter. There’s a job for you once the sale goes through.”
I gasp, my hands covering my mouth in shock. But all I seem capable of saying is: “No.”
“Management level.”
“Luca,” I say, not knowing what to say. “Really?”
A simple nod.
“Oh my god! Thank you.”
“So you’ll work for me?”
Unable to wrap my hands around him in gratitude, I make an excited face. “Of course, I will! I’m so grateful.”
Agreeable eyes skim between mine. “Good.”
The offer’s so unexpected. Bearing in mind how the afternoon started, I can’t believe this is how it’s ending. Especially as I remember Luca’s concerned, almost accusatory expression as the video played in the background. “Are you still upset?” I whisper.
“No. I was just worried this was going to fail before it got started.”
“I want this to work. Whatever it is,” I say, glancing at Reuben and Brecken. At the hotel behind me. Finally, I’m returning to where I belong, to management, my heart swelling with pride. I know I can be determined, maybe a little stubborn, but I know hotels. And Luca must’ve liked my ideas if he’s planning on sharing them with his father. And once I’ve got a couple of years under my belt at Stein Hotel, maybe Luca will offer me a position at the prestigious Chateau B.
My nerves skitter at the thought.
“Congrats,” Reuben says, nudging Brecken.
“Yeah, congratulations,” Brecken agrees before he turns to follow his friend indoors.
“It’s not just a job that I want to offer you.”
I nod, my mind throwing options at me as I wait for him to continue.
“I want to explore us, Winter. It’s early days but I think we’ve got something here.”
I nod, stupidly happy. I like Luca—a lot. And the sex is incredible. Of course, it helps that his friends are easy on the eye. But I’ve never had a relationship like the one Luca seems to be offering, and it’s leaving me disconcerted. Plus, I can’t shake the thought that I’m sleeping with my future boss, even if it was unintentional. It doesn’t sit right.
“And I don’t want to push you, but you should spend some time with Brecken and Roo before we leave.”
The words tumble out before I have a chance to consider them. “I want to.”
“Yeah,” he says chuckling. “I know.”
If Luca’s buying the hotel and rebuilding, then he’ll be in the area frequently. Depending on the budget, the build could take two years minimum. And with Aspen a two to three hour drive away, a relationship is feasible even if it’s likely to be difficult to maintain.
Excitement courses through me. “Does Elias have your proposal yet?”
“I’ll send the offer tomorrow. I explained I wanted to stay here and get a feel for the place. And I’d give you my coat again but Elias has been watching from the other side of the windows. Plus, a girl is hiding behind a Christmas tree, spying.”
I bust out a laugh, looking for my friend. “That’s Emily. I live with her. She spotted you earlier, but I didn’t realize she was still on the prowl.”