Hell on Heels (Hotel Rodeo #1)(38)

“I understand,” Monica said. “I’ll see what I can do.”



“Your request is highly irregular, Ms. Brandt.” She could almost see Mrs. Sanders bristle. “I assure you we hire only the best qualified staff.”

“Please don’t take this as a negative reflection on The Oasis,” Monica appeased. “I have no criticisms. It’s only that he wants to be home. Allowing Rosa to care for him is the closest thing to that.”

“But we have no room for her here. And there’s a six-month waiting list for this facility.”

“I’m sure there must be some way to accommodate his wishes. Aren’t you planning to build a new wing soon?” Monica asked.

“Yes, we are indeed, Ms. Brandt. But, as you know, these things are often delayed.”

“If funding is a concern, my father is a very wealthy man, Mrs. Sanders. He donates large sums every year to a number of worthy causes. His comfort is very important to me. As his proxy, I’m in a position to act on his behalf.” She smiled, her message clear. “I’m sure you can come up with some kind of agreeable arrangement.”

Mrs. Sanders drummed her fingers against her desk. “I’ll see what I can do about vacating the room adjacent to your father’s, but it may take a day or two. In the meantime, would a roll-away bed work? Just until we can come up with something better, of course.”

“I don’t think Rosa would mind,” Monica replied. “She just wants to be with Tom, and my father needs her here. As long as it’s only short-term, I think she’d agree. Thank you for the accommodation. We all appreciate it.”

Monica’s phone vibrated as she left the administrator’s office, but she ignored it until she was back inside the limo. She dug it out of her purse. Her jaw dropped to find a missed call from Evan.

What the hell could he want? She hadn’t heard from him once in the entire month since she’d left New York.

“You found your phone, Ms. Brandt?” Frankie remarked with surprise.

Shit. She’d forgotten the ruse. “Ah, yeah. This purse is a real abyss sometimes. I really need to buy a smaller one. Maybe I should do some shopping while I’m out here.”

“Sure thing, Ms. Brandt.” He eyed the purse. “If you like Prada, there’s one in the Bellagio. You want me to take you there?”

Monica considered his offer. She could use a new bag and a distraction. “Sure, Frankie. I think I will do some shopping. But I really need clothes. I only packed for a couple of weeks, and I’m tired of wearing the same outfits.”

“I know just the place that can fix you up. I’ll take you to the Fashion Show Mall.”

Shopping was just the kind of mindless distraction she needed. She and Ty hadn’t parted on the best of terms. She was completely to blame for that, but she’d only been trying to protect herself.

A text message suddenly popped up on her phone. She was shocked to recognize Evan’s number. Just arrived in Vegas. Miss you, Mon. Want to see you.

He was here? She sat back in the seat, disconcerted by the text. Why now? Was he perhaps on the prowl for real estate? He had an avid interest in acquiring bankrupt properties in Atlantic City. Had he now decided to pillage Las Vegas as well?

Did she even want to see him? She thought about the situation with Ty and hesitated. Not long ago she’d considered contacting Evan about the hotel but never made the call. She stared dumbly at the phone, chewing her lip while she deliberated whether to answer him.

She felt a dull stab of guilt, but it was time she looked to her own priorities. Tom wasn’t returning to Oklahoma anytime soon, if ever, but with both Ty and Rosa by his side, he wouldn’t need her here much longer. Staying in Las Vegas purely for Tom’s sake wasn’t enough. Perhaps the call was serendipitous. Maybe it was time to explore her options. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that selling the hotel was the best solution for everyone. She just had to convince Ty. But how?

She punched Evan’s number, surprised she still hadn’t taken him off speed dial. Was there a subconscious message in that? Did part of her still want to hang on?

He picked up on the third ring. “Mon, baby.”

She stole a breath. “Hello, Evan.”

“It’s great to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.”

“Really? Then why has it taken you so long to call?”

“With the way you left, I didn’t see the point,” he replied.

“Then what’s the point now?”

“Look, Monica, I came all the way out here to see you. You could at least try to meet me halfway.”

She laughed. “Please don’t trouble yourself with keeping up the pretense, Evan. I don’t believe for a minute that you came here only on my account. Business is the only thing that would have brought you to Vegas.”

He chuckled. “That’s what I love about you, Mon. You always cut straight through the bullshit. All right, have it your way. I came on a fishing expedition, but I still want to see you.”

“Any luck with the fishing?” she asked.

“Let’s just say there’s not much equilibrium in most of the balance sheets out here. Speaking of which, I have some interest in a property on the north end of The Strip. I understand you might be in a position to help me acquire it.”