“That completes the presentation. Everything from today will be emailed to you so you can walk through it again at your convenience. Are there any questions?”
Still afraid to look at Roman, I look up at Drew.
He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his broad chest. He blows out a breath. “That was really incredible work. You nailed the designs. It just feels like Bertini Hotels. I can’t wait to get started.”
I get the courage to look over at Roman. He has a suspicious look on his face as his eyes bounce from mine back to Drew’s. I shift uncomfortably in my seat at his silence, worried that he hated the designs.
Maybe he is upset about cost. But I hit the budget. I know some of the materials have a longer wait for shipment, but that’s what happens when you order custom materials. It’s completely out of my control.
“It’s perfect.” His deep voice provides me with relief. “I knew the moment I saw the mock-ups that it was going to be great but seeing it on the screen just confirms how brilliant it is.”
His words hit harder than I would have expected. I’ve had years of self-doubt. Not sure if I had what it took to forge my own path and start a company from nothing. My first client, one who doesn’t speak praise unless he means it, giving me such a compliment—I’m overwhelmed.
I can’t cry in front of these two, but I definitely want to. I’ll save that for Jessie. She’ll know what this means to me.
For now, I smile at him with appreciation. “I’m so glad you love the final designs.”
Short and simple. Professional. Minus the pep talk I’m currently giving myself.
After I answer a couple of questions for them, Drew turns the conversation to one of a casual nature. “I hear you’re new to the city.”
“I am. Just moved here from Chicago a month ago.”
“I’ve met your brother many times before,” he says with a smirk.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. If I had a nickel for every time someone said that to me, following it with some kind of story about how crazy he was, I could retire right here.
“I promise I’m nothing like him,” I say in defense as I hold up both of my hands.
He chuckles. “I can see that.”
Once again, he doesn’t say much, and it’s not just the words, but it’s the way he looks at me when he says them. It feels like there’s some hidden sexual innuendo behind them.
Roman coughs loudly. I peer at him, and he smiles softly, like he’s trying to play along with the conversation, but it doesn’treach his eyes. His jaw is tight, and I can feel the tension radiating off him. It’s as if he’s calculating just how much longer he can play nice.
He stands up and buttons his suit jacket. “I appreciate your time. I will look over everything in detail and work with Drew to get approvals so we can begin the scheduling process.”
With that, Drew stands up and shakes my hand over the table. “I’ll be seeing you around, Eva.”
He then follows Roman out of the conference room, leaving me alone.
As I shut everything down, I try not to let my hurt feelings bubble to the surface and ruin my day. What I need to do is focus on the praise I just received for my work and not on the fact that Roman is being weird and distant.
Chapter Thirteen
Roman
“You’re quiet tonight,” Julian says to me while we relax on Ma’s couch after dinner.
I scratch the side of my head uncomfortably. “It’s been a day.”
“The renovations starting to take a toll?” he asks as he takes a sip of his Chianti.
If only that was it. I can handle work stress. There’s always an answer, always some kind of solution that is there if you work hard enough to find it.
“Nah. It’s going great. We had the final designs for our New York hotel presented today. It’s going to be amazing.”
“What’s got you so down and out?”