What did Riley really want? “Do you have a crush on one of the players, or are you just trying to make me look like a slave driver boss who’s forcing you to work instead of letting you enjoy your friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner?”
She smirked. “One doesn’t exclude the other.”
That was the problem with her. Since their break-up, she refused to give him a straight answer. She liked making a point that he was no longer privy to her thoughts.
He gave her a patient smile. “Sara can handle the check-ins just fine. Also, when Jared and Cole check in, call me so I can introduce myself and see if there’s anything they need.”
He left her and went to his office. A couple of hours passed.
Riley didn’t call him when Jared and Cole checked in. He wouldn’t have known they’d arrived except he happened to see Riley talking to them while he made his way across the lobby.
Even if Lucas hadn’t recognized them from watching the Broncos play, they were easy to spot. Both were tall and broad-shouldered, dwarfing Riley. She had come around from the desk and was speaking with them, all eager smiles, head tilts, and fluttering eyelashes.
Man, he hadn’t seen her flirting that hard since the time he pulled her over in front of the junior high, and she wanted to get out of her ticket.
She handed them each a pamphlet they used for advertising. “The Riverside Inn was first built in 1930 and has been home to Montana’s celebrities ever since. Truly, this inn is a hidden gem. I could give you a personal tour of the place and tell you some of its history.”
Lucas swept over to the group. “I’m sure our guests would like to go to their rooms and get settled.” He held his hand out to shake Jared’s. “I’m Lucas Clark, Carson’s brother.”
Jared’s eyes widened in recognition. “Carson’s little bro. Good to meet you.”
Cole looked him over and nodded in approval. “I see the resemblance. You ever play ball?”
It was a question Lucas was used to. “Just in high school. I was never as good as Carson.”
“Not many people are,” Jared said.
They chatted for a few minutes about Carson and wedding details. Riley stood there smiling and occasionally adding a comment, even though for any other guests, she would’ve returned to her work by now.
Riley with her glamour-girl hair. The eyelashes made her eyes look huge and doe-like.
Was she actually starstruck by these guys? The idea bothered him. Back when they were dating, Riley had made fun of the women who knew nothing about Carson but were hardcore groupies anyway just because he played football.
“Do you need help carrying your luggage to your room?” Lucas asked the guys. “Our elevator is really small.”
“Carson is doing some renovations,” Riley chimed in. “So eventually we’ll have a bigger elevator. You should talk to him about the inn. He was smart to snap up this place. Even after he’s done with his football career, he’ll have a profitable business.”
“Nice,” Jared said, probably humoring her. Or maybe he just didn’t care what she said. He was busy checking her out.
“Seems like he’s got some good employees,” Cole added, also humoring her. Or maybe humoring Lucas since he worked here too. “Don’t worry about the bags. We’ve got them.”
The two took their suitcases and went to the stairs.
After they were out of earshot, Lucas turned to Riley, eyebrows raised in question. “Since when do you offer personal tours to guests during check-in?”
Riley returned to the desk and began straightening a pile of papers. “They’re the owner’s friends. They get star treatment.”
Lucas snorted. “I’m the owner’s brother. You’ve never given me star treatment.”
She stopped sorting papers to give him a meaningful stare. “Oh, I definitely gave you star treatment.”
Yes, she had. And he missed it.
“Not lately,” he said. He had to force away the memory of how well she’d fit in his arms, snuggled up to his chest.
Riley pursed her lips. “Whose fault is that?”
“Yours.” He noticed another difference. “How did you get a tan in January?”