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I blew out a breath. “We’ve texted a bit, and honestly, it’s not like anything happened between us that’s all that horrible, except maybe meputting his job in danger. We just haven’t known each other long enough to push through this, you know?”
“It’ll be fine,” Heidi said. “We’ll make sure you’re looking killer this whole trip. Leave that part to me.”
If I were being honest, I could use the help, but I wasn’t sure “looking killer” would be enough in this case.
I didn’t say anything for the rest of the trip to the hotel. Which was fine since Heidi was practically hanging out the window and squealing at all the lights and architecture and fountains. “This place is so cool!” she yelled. “Everything is neon!”
I turned to Patrick. “What do you think? Would Bilbo like it here?”
He paused, like he was taking my question seriously. “Probably not. Hobbits are humble creatures. But the dwarves would love it. They really like ostentatious displays of wealth.”
I bit back a smile. “One day I’m going to have to read that series, aren’t I?”
“It’s not aseries, Ana, or even a trilogy. It’s one novel consisting of six books—”
“Books? I thought it was just a movie,” Heidi said, then squealed as the cab lurched to a stop in front of the hotel. Patrick was red-faced yet had no choice but to let it go for now.
The air was warmer than I’d been used to in Denver but just as dry. We grabbed our bags from the trunk and entered the lobby.
The tropical smell of piña colada hit me, and I breathed in deep. There was a gorgeous atrium full of trees, and when we came around the corner, I almost dropped my bag. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered. Behind the check-in counter at the hotel was a massive saltwater aquarium. It seemed big enough for all of Apollo IT to swim in.
Heidi grinned. “I knew you would like it. I booked us here to apologize for killing you at brunch. And for playing matchmaker without asking.”
Heidi checked us in while I trailed behind and gaped.
“You like the tank?” the man behind the counter asked me.
I nodded, staring at all the fish and coral.
“It’s over twenty thousand gallons,” he said. “We have at least eighty species in there.”
I turned to Heidi as she handed me my key card. “Are there more?”
“Aquariums? Yes.” She grinned. “There’s one at the restaurant, and there’s a pool built right next to a shark tank so you can feel like you’re swimming with them, and there’s even one tank with a slide that goes through it.”
“You’re forgiven,” I said and threw an arm around her neck.
She laughed. “Whew. I figured since this is our first and last work trip together, we could combine our loves. I love sun and pools the way you do aquariums. Win-win.”
Patrick also checked in while I was busy being distracted by the trees, the smells, and all the artificial beauty. Then we got on the elevator to find our floor. Even though the whole area felt fake, so to speak, it was still amazing. A weird sort of Disneyland for adults.
Our room was nice but in no way extravagant. Two queen-size beds, a bathroom, a TV, and a tiny desk in the corner. It was much simpler than what we’d seen of the hotel so far. The awe of our location had started to fade a bit, and I found myself getting pissed off again. The room had still cost a hell of a lot. And yeah, flights to Vegas tended to be cheap, but to put a whole company up at a luxury hotel and rent conference rooms for a self-indulgent convention? All this while telling employees that there wasn’tenough money in the budget for promotions or bonuses or raises. I was pretty sure the money they’d spent just on the buffet for the next evening would have been life-changing for me.
Heidi immediately jumped on a bed, then looked at me. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just in this mess because the company only had enough money to pay Taggert. Remember? Or so they said. And as gorgeous as this place is, wouldn’t you rather they just gave each of us the couple of thousand dollars they’re spending to keep each of us here for the next few days?”
“No!” Heidi said, bouncing on the mattress. “Sleepover. Girls’ night. They can keep their money. We’re in Vegas! When will we get another opportunity to do this?”
I felt a grin tugging at my lips. It was hard not to fall for her enthusiasm. Besides, I wasn’t going to change Apollo’s business practices, and it was getting closer and closer to time for me to move on anyway.
“Okay,” I relented. “What’s on tap for the evening?”
She grabbed her phone and pulled up a schedule. “Looks like there’s a company drinks event at eight tonight, and then we’re free until an informal brunch tomorrow morning. So maybe we can explore!”
Hm. I wasn’t stoked about the drinks thing, but I really wanted to see my team.
“But first—let me do your hair.”
