Right. Nothing to lose.
I straighten my back and force a smile. “I know I’m inexperienced,” I say, referencing Nolan’s introduction. “And all the ideas I’ve heard here are great.”
Chuckles from my male counterparts. They’re so damn sure of themselves. So confident that they are better than me. Smarter, more deserving. But I do have good ideas and they’re about to hear them.
“Well,” I say, sighing a bit. “They were all great ideas about ten years ago.”
“What?” Daniel says. I don’t look at anyone, just focus my gaze out the window.
“The world of marketing has changed, gentlemen.” I pause, then look at Claudette. “And lady. And yes, I’m not quite up to par with what’s worked in the past. That’s true. But my youth gives me many advantages. Let me tell you what I’d like to do with this sorry excuse for a resort in the middle of a desolate wasteland, whose closest attraction is a dead saltwater lake.”
My eyes dart to Nolan and he’s smiling. Everyone else is staring at me like I just choked a puppy.
Keep going, Ivy.
“Oh,” Claudette says, her hand over her heart like I have personally insulted her. “I can’t wait to hear this.”
I turn back to Nolan. “Mr. Delaney. I’m going to assume you chose this location based on the price of land, the proximity to San Diego, and the fact that this wasteland actually blooms once a year and manages to pull off the impossible—it becomes pretty. But you’ve got a big problem and it’s got nothing to do with your golf course, which I understand was created by some famous someone or other.”
Snickers from Bram. I ignore him.
“And it’s got nothing to do with your spa services.”
“Enlighten me, Miss Rockwell,” Nolan says.
“OK,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Your problem is no one wants to come here except when the cactus is in bloom in the late winter and early spring. That’s a great time of year. The temperatures are mild, the desert is pretty, and it’s close to the city. It’s a day trip for most. But you have ten more months of the year to book. And you’re new. Everyone in San Diego equates Borrego Springs with a day trip. It’s not a place to vacation. You can stay in San Diego and get a better vacation. Or go a little further north and get a real desert experience in Palm Springs.”
“Tell us something we don’t know, Miss Rockwell,” Claudette snaps. “We are well aware of the resort’s limitations.”
“Fine,” I say. I take a deep breath and spit my idea out with the exhale. “Give the rooms away for free.”
“What?” Claudette laughs. In fact, everyone laughs.
Except Nolan.
He’s scratching the stubble on his chin like he’s actually listening to me.
One brownie point to Mr. Romantic.
“Give the rooms away for free,” I repeat. “Bram here has already told us that the golf course is exceptional. Upcharge it. And Daniel has already said the spa is spectacular. Raise the prices. Give the rooms away for free and make your profit off the amenities.”
“That’s your plan?” Claudette sneers.
“Oh, no,” I say. “I’ve got a lot more plans, Ms. Delaney. But since you’ve informed me that I don’t have a chance in hell of getting this job, I’m going to keep them to myself.” I walk across the room towards the door and look at Nolan as I pass. “I’m ready to leave when your jet is ready to take me.”
“Miss Rockwell,” Nolan calls after me.
I take a deep breath and turn. “Yes?”
“It’s bad manners to leave the interview early.” He turns to Daniel and Bram and says, “Please wait outside while my sister and I discuss things, will you? Miss Rockwell,” he repeats, turning back to me as Claudette marches the men towards the door. “Please have a seat with the other candidates.”
He stares into my eyes. Dead on. And if I thought he was intimidating before, it was nothing compared to this smoldering gaze he’s giving me now.
I breathe again. Swallow hard. And take a seat.
You’re weak, Ivy. You don’t have to listen to him. He’s not the boss. He’s no one to you.
“That was quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Claudette says as she smacks the door closed, sealing them up inside the office.
I glance over at Bram and Daniel, both of whom look shell-shocked over what just happened. “Sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to insult you guys. It’s just not fair the way they brought me here just to throw me away on the first day.”
They give me small nods, but neither look at me.
I can hear arguing inside Nolan’s office.
Well, Ivy. You’ve certainly made an impression now.
Chapter Nine - Nolan
“Just what the hell was West thinking bringing that girl here?” Claudette asks.
I have no answer. I’m still thinking about the way Ivy Rockwell just stunned the room.
“Nolan?”
“What?”
“Let’s decide tonight. Send her home. She’s no longer welcome here.”
Claudette’s phone buzzes on the other side of the table. That would be Travis calling. But Claudette is too wound up to even bother with her phone.
“Did you hear me, Nolan? Let’s decide now.”
“Well,” I say, sighing a bit. “I want both of them.”
“What? We don’t have budget for that right now, Nolan. One is enough. Pick or I will.”
“I want both, Claudette. And while you might have a say in my decision, you do not dictate. Understand?”
She stares daggers at me. She has always been little jealous of my power. Even before I became Mr. Romantic and had four filthy-rich instant best friends. The five of us Misters weren’t even close before that girl dragged our names through the mud. We lived in the same frat house, sure. And we partied together like most brothers do. But once we were all implicated in the same crime, everything changed.
Perfect has been proper billionaire from birth. His trust fund is, fuck. More money than I can even imagine.