Three

"Yes, take a look at the revisions and have them sent back to me as soon as you can… Yup, not a problem. Talk to you soon. Have a good afternoon." I end the call with more force on the headset than necessary.

I"m in the process of acquiring two hundred acres of land nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, a little over an hour north of Manhattan. It"s set just outside a quaint college town and right in the heart of Hudson Valley, with the Hudson River visible from the property"s edge. Zoning is approved for commercial use and there is an 1800s farmhouse already standing on the property. The opportunity was too good to pass up, but Mr. Harring is being quite difficult on what should have been an easy contract. It"s been over two weeks of back-and-forth conversations and contract adjustments.

I get it, I do. He doesn't want to see his family's land turned into something that will strip the property of its charm. But I'd never do that. Hudson Valley holds a special place in my heart. It"s where I used to vacation when I was young. We didn't have much growing up, but what we did have was our annual fall trip to the Catskills. We'd go hiking, apple picking, eat cider donuts from our favorite roadside farm stand, and just enjoy the beauty the mountains offered that time of year. It was my mom's happy place… well, that and her rose garden. After she died, the thought of vacationing there was too hard for my dad to face, and we never went back.

The idea of owning a piece of Hudson Valley and those memories sparked something deep inside of me, a passion project of sorts. Way out of the comfort zone of my usual city office buildings, hotels, and apartments. This will be a personal investment away from the Bryant Co. name.

A knock on my door draws my attention away from my computer screen.

"Sorry to disrupt you, Mr. Cole. But I thought you'd like to know that Miss Pierce has arrived and is in the conference room."

"Thank you, Tasha."

It's been three days since Ava started working on the SoHo project, and I must say, I am impressed by her work ethic. She's overly prepared and has a smart-mouth response for every asinine question I throw her way. Getting her all riled up has become one of my favorite things to look forward to.

I take the stairs to the floor below my office to where the conference rooms and several other offices are. Bryant Co. takes up two floors in a converted warehouse in the heart of Soho. The building itself is spectacular and is just a short walk away from our current project.

As soon as I'm near, I spot Ava's long legs in her hip-hugging knee-length skirt through the glass wall of the conference room. Her blonde hair is pulled back, leaving her slender neck exposed. I take a deep breath, preparing to spend the next few hours shoulder to shoulder with her. There's just something about her that makes me want to chew her head off one minute and fuck the brat out of her the next.

My mood instantly sours when I see Logan sitting across from her, blatantly staring down the front of her blouse. My jaw tics at the sight.

Being younger, Logan is still learning the ropes within his grandfather's company. I was skeptical of the newest member of my team, and assumed he was just another trust fund kid who landed a job at his family's company. And although he certainly is entitled, I do give him credit for being a hard worker who seems to care about his job. I guess he's not a bad guy, per say, just not someone I'd choose to be in my circle. Regardless of who he is to Mr. Bryant, I'm their boss, and I don't like to fuck around. I've been told I"m not the easiest to work for, but so far, Olivia and Logan have flourished as my project managers.

My reputation as a head real estate developer at Bryant Co. means everything to me, and I've built my name from the ground up. Working under a Manhattan real estate legend such as Dennis Bryant has helped pave the way for who I am. He gave a no-name kid from Long Island a chance right out of college, and I'm more than grateful for the opportunities he's afforded me these past eight years.

Rapping my knuckles on the door frame, I enter the room, effectively disrupting the conversation Logan and Ava were having. "Oh, Park— Mr. Cole, perfect timing. I was just pulling up the main lobby and seating area designs." Her red-painted lips pull into a perfect smile. One, I get the feeling, she's more than used to pasting on her face.

I take a seat at the head of the table and make myself comfortable. Ava looks at me cautiously, and then asks, "Will Olivia be joining us?"

"No," I answer.

I can hear Logan's exasperated sigh from where I sit, and then he adds, "She is at the job site overseeing a few things. She should be back in an hour or so."

Ava eyes me again, then steadies herself and pulls up her first slide. "Since you expressed your thoughts on Luxure having a more intimate lobby and check-in area, I drew up these options. In slide one, you'll see we have replaced the standard hotel counter with two sets of traditional-styled desks and chairs. This will ensure the clients feel comfortable in the space with fewer barriers between them and the staff. In slide two, we have continued the same color palette we've discussed throughout the seating and lobby, making sure we highlight the architectural details throughout the main floor. I know, Mr. Cole, you had discussed the possibility of incorporating a small restaurant into the main area of the hotel. If you do go this route, I have a few alternate ideas that will incorporate that entrance as well. However, I believe having the restaurant on the rooftop would be better suited for the space."

"Why's that?" I ask, reclining in my seat.

"Well, for starters, the view from the roof is your moneymaker at this location. It could have floor-to-ceiling doors that open seamlessly to the Parisian-style garden I have planned for the rooftop bar. It'd become a must-see destination rather than just another New York City restaurant."

"But the building already has the commercial kitchen on the main floor. Moving it to the roof would be timely, and not to mention, costly," I challenge her. Though I already know from the look in her eyes that she's going to have a solution or a rebuttal.

"Ah, yes, that is true, but my plan doesn't involve moving the kitchen. As you're aware, Mr. Cole, your building has more than one elevator shaft. One of those being directly across from the pre-existing kitchen."

"So, you want the food runners to use the elevator to deliver food to our rooftop tables?" I clarify, staring directly at Ava and no longer at the screen with her projected slides.

"Yes, you wouldn't be the first hotel to perform this way." Her lip quirks, not breaking eye contact throughout our little back-and-forth. It fills me with satisfaction that shouldn't be there.

"Wow, that's such an interesting take on the restaurant addition. I wouldn't have thought of that," Logan says, a little too enthusiastically, if you ask me.

"Yes, definitely interesting. I will think on that. Thank you, Ava. Was there anything else we needed to discuss today?" I hate to admit it, but she's right about the rooftop.

Those hazel eyes meet mine again. "Yes, actually. I brought some sample boards with me that incorporate the color scheme. I laid them out over there under the window to get the best lighting." She gestures to the side of the room, and we follow.

About an hour into pouring over the five different sample boards, Olivia joins us. Around noon, our team has narrowed it down to two. Tasha delivers our catered lunch as we finalize the floor samples. By the time we're done, I feel like my head is about to explode. Not only from the ongoing back-and-forth, but from the way Logan constantly felt the need to inflate Ava's already robust ego.

The Pierce family name comes with its perks, especially in New York City. She carries herself with the presence and grace of a Manhattan socialite, yet when she opens her mouth, I get nothing of the sort. Ava is an anomaly. Just when you think she is going to act or do one thing, she surprises you and does the complete opposite. Her ability to challenge me at every turn makes her even more intriguing.

"Alright, I think we're about done here today. We've made great progress, and I can"t wait to see the full samples next week," Olivia says as she shuts her laptop. "I need to get back to the hotel and check in."

"Oh, do you mind if I join you? I wanted to take some exterior photos so I can better plan for the awnings and railings," Ava chimes in, packing up her materials.

"Of course!" Olivia replies.

"Care if I accompany you ladies? I have some time before I need to be on a call," Logan asks, his voice filled with more charisma than usual. I can"t help but roll my eyes.

His intentions are obvious, and I can't say I blame him. But Logan has been working for me for a little over two years now, and his track record of running through women is longer than most men I know. If he were to do the same to Ava, it could jeopardize our working relationship and my project. Besides, there is no way he could truly give her what she needs.

Olivia must notice my annoyance because she adds, "Was there anything else you needed us for this afternoon?" She's mistaking my displeasure for something she may have done.

"No, that will be all. Thank you for your work today," I say curtly, then stand and walk out before I do something stupid like follow their trio to the job site.