“Tessa.” He swallowed, his prominent Adam’s apple bobbing. “Yes, I’m just running a few diagnostic tests.” His gaze flicked to Ro. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, just giving Mr. Langston a full tour of the hotel and facilities.”

Rupert nodded. “Does he really want to knock the hotel down?”

My chest squeezed. “He’s looking at all options.” I smiled brightly. “I’m trying to convince him that it’s perfect as it is.”

“It is,” Rupert said fiercely. “And you do a great job running it.”

I smiled. “Thanks.” My gaze fell on Ro. He’d ended his call, but his phone rang again. He glared at it for a beat, then answered it. “I’m going to take him up to my favorite spot and work on convincing him. I’ll see you later, Rupert.”

“Bye, Tessa.”

After checking in with my reception staff, I noticed Ro striding toward me. “All done?”

He nodded. “Until the next emergency.”

I shot him a sympathetic look. “I hate days like that. When you’re getting pulled in a hundred different directions.”

“Everyone has a question and wants an answer.”

I nodded. “And just when you get a handle on things, something else goes wrong.”

We shared a smile.

Don’t look at his mouth, Tessa. I straightened. Tour. Focus on the tour. “Come with me.”

I led Ro up the stairs, to another of my favorite spots in the hotel. There was a small mezzanine level above the lobby with a polished wood railing. The hallway beyond led to some of the guestrooms. An elegant armchair and side table sat in front of a large, framed mirror. One of those spaces people passed by but rarely used. I paused at the carved wooden railing, looking down at the hubbub of the lobby below.

“I like this spot. I like to people watch.”

“You have time in your day to just stand here?”

I rolled my eyes. “I can see a lot of things from up here.” I nodded down. “I can check if we need housekeeping to come in and tidy the lobby. I can look out for happy or unhappy guests. I can take the pulse of my team.” I watched Enzo chatting with a couple at the concierge desk. The team at the reception desk were also checking in some guests, all smiles and quiet laughter. “I love to see everything running smoothly.”

Ro was quiet, and I had no idea what he was thinking.

“The flooring is a little dated,” he said. “And the space is a little dark.”

I sighed. “I guess you’d better add that to the list.” My chest tightened. I wasn’t getting through to him. I wasn’t getting him to see the charm of the Windward. Feeling defeated, I leaned against the railing.

And felt it let go.