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She glanced at me. “What for?”

“I took your inheritance. It’s understandable that you hated me. If I were you, I’d hate me too.”

She shook her head. “Hate is a strong word, and besides, it was never guaranteed. Realistically, it was just a pipe dream. No matter how successful I could’ve made this place, I still never would’ve made enough profits to make the improvements you and your brother have. In reality, the hotel would just keep needing more and more repairs until I could no longer afford to keep it running, and then I’d have to sell anyway.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself. I’m certain you could achieve far more than what you believe.”

She blinked at my statement, then a faint redness stained her cheeks as she shifted a little where she sat. She began rubbing her thigh as she stretched it out. My gaze went straight to her long, shapely legs. I fought against an image of them wrapped around me and forced my eyes away. “Pins and needles?”

“Just a little.”

Pushing myself up to stand, I held my hand out to her. “Better stand up for a bit until they go away.”

She stared at my hand for a beat then gingerly accepted it. Our palms met, hers soft and small in my larger one, and I wrapped my fingers around her hand before pulling her up. When she was standing, she was closer than anticipated, her face so near I was hit with a wave of familiarity so intense it couldn’t merely be my mind playing tricks on me or her reminding me of someone else.

I kept her hand in mine, searching her features, the information lingering on very edges of my brain. It was that feeling of seeing an actor in a movie and trying to figure out what else you’d seen them in. The knowledge was right there but lingering just slightly out of reach, and it was the most frustrating feeling.

“Tristan—”

“I’m certain I—”

Before either of us could finish, the lift jolted, and she fell forward into my chest. I exhaled roughly as I clasped her shoulders, the faint scent of flowery soap and shampoo tickling my nose. She smelled incredible, felt unreal, her soft chest smashed to mine. I had to fight with all my willpower not to pull her closer, embrace her in my arms. It was such a strange instinct, all tangled up in the strong feeling of knowing her from somewhere, and I was one second away from saying fuck it and throwing caution to the wind.

If I kissed her, would she kiss me back?

The elevator started to ascend, and her features smoothed with relief. “We’re moving.”

“Looks like it.”

Finally releasing her, I stepped back moments before we reached the third floor, and the doors slid open. Damien was there to greet us, the middle-aged man wearing cargo pants and a black T-shirt, a toolbox at his feet.

“Wouldn’t you know it was a bloody software bug. I lug my toolbox all the way up here only to discover there’s a glitch in the controller board. Typical these days. Everything’s a feckin’ computer problem.”

“Well, we’re just glad to be out,” I said, placing my hand to the small of Rinnie’s back as we emerged.

“Thank you, Damien, you’re a life saver.” Her eyes flicked to me before she dipped her head then hurried off without another word.

Damien looked back at me, dark eyebrows raised. “Was it something I said?”

“She has a touch of claustrophobia, so I think that was a bit of an ordeal for her. I’d better go check she’s okay.”

“No problem. I’ll give this thing another once over just to make sure it doesn’t stall again.”

“Perfect. Let me know if you find any other issues.”

I walked in the direction Rinnie had gone when my phone started ringing. It was Nuala. I’d been so caught up in Rinnie that I’d completely forgotten our lunch date. I’d invited my sister and her best friend, Tara, to come see the hotel and share lunch out on the terrace. Derek and his wife, Milly, were also going to be joining us. I’d arranged it all with Moira, and she was going to have some of the kitchen staff prepare a few charcuterie boards for us to share.

Seeing the time, I noted I was already late, so I decided I’d check in with Rinnie later. I hurried to the terrace, finding everyone had already arrived.

“Sorry I’m late. There was a software glitch on the new elevator, and I got stuck on it for almost forty minutes,” I said as I took a seat and glanced at my brother. “Damien’s giving it a more thorough inspection now to make sure it won’t happen again.”

I greeted my sister, Tara and Milly each with a half hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking a seat.

“Were you stuck on it alone?” Nuala asked. “Because that’s my worst nightmare. Remember how much I hated heights as a child? I think something like that would bring the phobia back. I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about plunging to my death.”

“No, uh, Rinnie was with me. Luckily, we weren’t stuck for too long.”

Nuala arched an eyebrow. “Oh, well, that can’t have been too agonising, being stuck on a lift with a beautiful woman. Did you ever remember where you know her from?”