I tried to remember who she was, but I came up empty. We hosted conferences and speakers here all the time, but I had no recollection of booking space for Eve Brier. Based on the photograph, I didn’t think I would have forgotten her. And yet there was something familiar about her, too. Her face stirred . . . what? What was it? It wasn’t really a memory, but I felt as if we’d met somewhere.

“Hello, Dylan.”

The voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw my assistant manager, Tai Ragasa. Her face was exquisitely sad. She came and put her arms around my neck and held me tightly. Her closeness made me uncomfortable, but I opted not to push her away. She hugged me for several beats longer than was appropriate, and then we broke apart. Tai wiped away a tear and reached out and took hold of both of my hands. I could feel the sharpness of her long fingernails.

“I don’t know what to say,” she told me.

“I know.”

“It’s so horrible.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure you should be here?”

“No, but I was going crazy on my own.”

“Of course.”

Tai led me to a row of chairs at the back of the ballroom. We sat down next to each other. The maintenance men worked around us, calling out to each other in voices that echoed in the high space, their cleaning equipment banging on the furniture. I tried to pull my hand away, but Tai wouldn’t let go.

“What can I do?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Everyone in the hotel has your back. I mean, if you need anything, we’ll all be right there to help you.”

“I know.”

“You really don’t need to be here. I’m serious. I’ve got everything under control. We can manage.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Just focus on yourself,” she said.

“Thanks.”

She kissed me softly on the cheek. Her clean, floral smell enveloped me. When she backed away, her ebony eyes held on to mine, and a few strands of her black hair clung to the buttons of my shirt.

“If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” she murmured. “I’m sure you’re not ready yet, but any time you want to—”

“I’m not. I’m definitely not ready.”

“Okay.”

The speaker on her radio buzzed. I heard one of my staff reaching out to her with a catering question. In our jobs, we had to be in constant contact with vendors inside and outside the hotel. Successful events were about a million details, laid out in order, one by one. Tai gave me a look of apology as she answered the call, but I was glad to have some space.