Free Destined for Power by Kathleen Brooks Page A

reception. The wig felt heavy on her head; she wasn’t used to her hair swooping down and covering half her face.
    “We can fit twelve hundred people in the ballroom, or we can put up room dividers to fit the size of your party. We have three dividers; the smallest room we offer seats four hundred,” the event planner explained.
    “Can I see where the room dividers are to get a better idea? We are expecting a large crowd, so I don’t know if I would need a single room or if I would need to open one of the dividers,” Mallory explained as she looked around and took pictures.
    “Of course, Miss Andrews.”
    “When you host these big events, where do you put the stage and dance floor?”
    “We have a pre-built platform we put right there and the dance floor is at the discretion of the host, but normally it goes right in front of the stage.”
    Mallory nodded and took some notes. “That would be perfect for throwing the bouquet.”
    “Yes, your reception will be lovely if you choose to hold it here.”
    “I’m sure it will.”
    “Now, a very popular plan for brides is to rent one of our suites to dress in. Would you care to see one?”
    Mallory smiled. “What a wonderful idea.”
    “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have an issue with the charity event. They need to talk to you about lighting,” a young woman in a hotel uniform said as she joined them at the front desk.
    “Can you just give me a key? I want to look around as well. See where we can take pictures and such.” The event planner hesitated, but a pissed-off electrician stood impatiently nearby. “And if I like the suite, I can book the whole floor for the wedding party so no one has to drive home.”
    The prospect of a whole floor of suites being booked did the job. “Lisa, give Miss Andrews a card for the Star Suite. I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes?”
    “Perfect.”
    Mallory took the room key and meandered around the lobby and the restrooms outside of the ballroom, locating every closet and storage room. Knowing the event planner would be able to tell if she used her key, she took the elevator up to the fourth floor. Might as well see what Reid had been busy working on for the past year.
     
    Reid grabbed some papers from his office and ran up the stairs. So far he’d been undetected by most of his staff, probably because he was in jeans, a T-shirt, and baseball cap as opposed to his normal suit and tie. He had a little more work he wanted to get done in his room before he tackled the long list of questions he was sure they had for him.
    He opened the door to the fourth floor and froze when he saw a woman walking away from the elevator. She was dressed conservatively in an orange sheath dress that hugged the curves of her bottom so well he couldn’t stop staring. Her brunette hair was chin length and accentuated her long neck. Who knew necks could be so sensual?
    Reid followed her as she placed a key into the suite next to his and walked in. Oh good. How was he going to concentrate knowing she was right next door? He hadn’t seen legs like that since Mallory . . . no, he wasn’t going to think of her. She was gone, out of his life forever.
    Reid entered the suite he’d been staying in the past couple of months while the hotel prepared for the grand opening. The soft opening had been a huge success, and he knew the official grand opening would be too.
    He tossed the papers on the desk and sat down on the couch. Work was going to have to wait. His mind was still on the mystery woman he saw from behind. He wondered what her face looked like, if she was single, if she was his answer to forgetting Mallory.
     
    Mallory stood and looked out the windows of the suite. She had to hand it to Reid. He had done a remarkable job with the resort—with all of his resorts. He had done exactly what he had told her father he’d do. He’d made something of himself. She was so proud of him. Mallory set down the tablet Elle’s husband, Drake,