Claire took a breath.
“You’re right.”
Naomi waited.
Claire looked at Jordan.
“I apologize.”
Jordan said nothing.
Naomi turned toward Mr. Robinson.
“Would you please contact Mr. Sutton?”
Claire interrupted.
“I can handle it.”
“No.”
The word was quiet.
Absolute.
Claire stared at her.
Naomi continued.
“You have handled enough.”
Mr. Robinson removed his radio.
Before he could speak, a voice came from behind them.
“Naomi?”
Everyone turned.
A tall man in a navy suit had just entered through the revolving doors.
He carried a leather portfolio and looked confused by the scene.
Naomi recognized him immediately.
“David.”
David Kim was Grant Meridian’s chief operating officer.
He had flown in that afternoon for Monday’s transition meetings.
He looked at Claire.
Then at Mr. Robinson.
Then at Jordan.
“What happened?”
Claire recovered quickly.
“Sir, we’re resolving a reservation issue.”
David looked at Naomi.
“A reservation issue?”
Naomi nodded.
“Apparently.”
Claire looked between them.
“Do you know this guest?”
David’s expression changed.
For one second, he clearly thought he had misheard.
“Guest?”
Claire nodded.
David looked at Naomi.
She said nothing.
He looked back at Claire.
“Are you Claire Hanson?”
“Yes.”
“Guest services manager?”
“Yes.”
David slowly closed his portfolio.
“I’m David Kim.”
Claire smiled professionally.
“Welcome to the Ashford Grand, Mr. Kim.”
“I don’t think you understand.”
Her smile weakened.
David looked at Naomi.
Then back at Claire.
“This is Naomi Grant.”
Claire waited.
David continued.
“Founder and managing partner of Grant Meridian Partners.”
Silence.
Claire’s face went completely blank.
Naomi could almost see the calculations happening behind her eyes.
Grant Meridian.
The acquisition.
The new ownership.
Monday’s meetings.
Naomi.
Claire looked toward the computer.
Then at Naomi.
“Oh.”
Jordan looked up at his mother.
“What does that mean?”
Naomi did not answer.
David did.
“It means your mom owns the company that just bought this hotel.”
Jordan’s mouth opened.
“You bought Grandma’s hotel?”
Naomi sighed.
“We were going to surprise her.”
Jordan grinned.
“That is so cool.”
Claire did not move.
Mr. Robinson slowly exhaled.
David looked at him.
“What happened?”