“I thought you might want to interview her to be your renovation designer.”
Right. He said she was relocating from Chicago, where she spent five years at a design firm, back to New York. Now she’s launching her own interior design company here.
I hesitate. Mixing business with personal ties has never been my style.
“Come on, man. Give her a shot. Just an interview. No hard feelings if you don’t hire her,” Walker pleads.
I sigh. “You won’t get pissed if I don’t hire her? Because this is a major renovation. I have no room for hiring someone because of a personal connection. I have to pick the most talented.”
“I personally think you’re going to love her work, but agreed. I do not expect you to hire her just because she’s my sister.”
“Fine. I’ll tell my assistant to set something up with her. Just text me her information.”
He smiles brightly. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
“When does she get here?” Dean asks.
“I’m trying to find an apartment for her to move into—something in a safe neighborhood. I told her I’d cover the cost. I don’t want her living in an apartment without security, like the first place she picked.”
“Roman, what about your building?” Colton interjects. “Isn’t the apartment below you available?”
“That’s perfect!” Walker exclaims. “Your building is safe; it has a ton of security. You living above her is an added bonus. What’s the rent going for these days?”
“It’s fifteen thousand a month, but don’t worry about rent. I make enough on that building. I’m not going to babysit her, but the space is hers if she wants it.”
Walker smirks at me. “Why am I not surprised that you’re not going to keep an eye on her for me? But thanks for the offer. I’ll talk to her about it. Every place I suggest, she freaks out about the cost and insists she can’t let me pay that kind of money.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Just let me know. I’ve made sure security is top-notch since I’m living there. You won’t have to stress over that.”
Colton rolls his eyes. “We get it. You’re a massive control freak who has more money than he knows what to do with.”
I grin at him. “Don’t act like you don’t have money too.”
“I’m a doctor. I don’t make nearly as much as you.”
He’s being modest now. He’s not just a doctor; he’s an oncologist. This man saves lives for a living. I overcharge for hotel rooms to fancy, high-class travelers who are looking to feel like they are better than other hotel guests who don’t pay the amount of their mortgage for one night in a hotel.
I’m a ruthless businessman though, and I’m okay with that. It’s who my father was and who I was raised to be. I’m a lot like my father—in more ways than I care to be.
A slap on my back instantly sets a wave of anger coursing through my body when I turn my head and see a face that I’d much prefer never to see again.
“Sebastian,” I say through a clenched jaw.
His smug smile forces my hands into fists. “Roman. Funny running into you. How’s business?”
“Business is great,” I reply sternly.
“That’s good. Our sales are up. I was hoping that didn’t mean we were affecting your revenue.”
I’m sure he was worried about that. His line of hotels is our biggest competitor. They just did a major renovation and have stolen some of our clients. That’s part of the reason I’ve decidedthat we need to revamp our most luxurious hotels. These rich clients want to stay at only the best.
“Our revenue is just fine, Sebastian. Thanks for your concern. It was nice seeing you.”
I turn my head back to the guys and ignore the cocky laugh that echoes as he walks away.
“I hate that guy,” Walker says coolly.
“Does he know about your renovations?” Dean asks.