he expect Clive to follow them to the lobby and up the ante?
Clive smirked. âThe offer was way above market.â
âIt was chump change, and we both know it.â
Wow. Emma could never have been that gutsy. She did wish she knew what they were talking about, but it seemed to make the most sense to play along.
She took Alexâs hand, and they left the office.
âWhat now?â she asked as they waited for the elevator.
Alex glanced down at her. âNow, thereâs someone I want you to meet.â
She glanced over her shoulder. âSo, will he follow us?â
Alex looked behind them. âI doubt it.â
âButâ¦â
âBut what?â
The elevator door slid open.
âI thought heâd follow us out and up the offer.â
Alex gestured for her to precede him. âHe didnât make an offer.â
âBut he was going to.â
Alex trapped the elevator door to keep it from closing. âYes, he was going to.â
The truth dawned on Emma. âWe really walked away without even hearing what it was?â What kind of a way was that to conduct business?
âOf course we walked away. Get on.â
âBut maybe it wasââ
Alex leaned in, lowering his voice. âStop talking and get in the elevator.â
Emma hesitated. Then her glance slid over to the receptionist. Right. This argument was unseemly. But what on earth was Alex thinking?
She lifted her chin and marched inside, gritting her teeth until the door closed. âMaybe it was good,â she shouted. âMaybe it was fantastic. â
Alex gave a dry chuckle. âWhich do you think is more likely, Emma? That Clive Murdoch got rich by benevolently paying more than market price for hotels, or that Clive Murdoch is a shrewd old man looking to take advantage of your inexperience.â
She glared at Alex. âGuess weâll have to tell him to get in line for that one, wonât we?â
A muscle near his temple ticked for a moment. âIâm not old. And Iâm not taking advantage of you, Emma. Iâm saving you from bankruptcy.â
âBenevolently, Iâm sure,â she returned with syrupy sweetness. âAnd with no thought whatsoever for your own welfare.â
âYou knew the score from minute one.â
The elevator pinged and the door glided open.
âHow do I know youâre not taking advantage of my inexperience?â she pressed. âAnd, by the way, that was insulting. Iâve been in the hotel business my entire life. Iâve done everything from tend bar to renovate a ski resort.â
âThatâs your credential? Tending bar?â
âMost recently, I was the vice president of North American operations. Iâm not some naive newbie.â
âYeah?â he challenged as they started across the lobby. âThen why did you agree to meet Murdoch in his office?â
Emma didnât get the point of the question. âBecause it was Mr. Murdoch I was meeting with.â
Alex pushed open the double glass doors. The temperature went up twenty degrees while car horns and tire screeches replaced the echoing quiet of the lobby. âYou should have had him come to you.â
âWhat difference would that make?â
They dodged other pedestrians as they made their way down the stairs.
âTactical advantage.â Alexâs lips quirked in a grin. âNewbie mistake. Good thing I was there to rescue you.â
â You didnât even let him make the offer.â
âThe offer sucked, Emma. I brought a car. Just across the street.â
âYou donât know that.â
âNoâIâm pretty sure I brought a car. That blue Lexus over there, under the red sign.â
âYou donât know the offer sucked.â
Alex stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face her. âI knew about your meeting. I knew he wanted to buy. I knew how to shut him down.