Five Star Attraction. Jacquelin Thomas

will help you outperform your local competition, Mr. Pritzkin. We specialize in hotel consulting. Within this small market niche, we offer a complete portfolio of services for the hospitality industry. You can combine the following services or products in order to obtain a package tailored to your specific needs.”

       Paul glanced down at the information she had given him. “You also specialize in operator selection?”

       “Yes,” Natasha responded. “If you are looking for a hotel group to run a planned or existing hotel, we can assist you with the selection of a suitable operator. We can also advise you with regard to the financial and legal aspects of a management or lease contract.”

       Two hours later, Natasha walked out of the restaurant with a check and signed contract. She hummed softly as she made her way to her car.

       Natasha drove back to her office, grateful for the new clients she’d picked up today. She was responsible for twelve employees, and the new clients would help with overhead and payroll costs.

       Her assistant had left a copy of Hospitality News in her office. On the cover was an article about Robert DePaul’s death and his secret son. The media was predicting an all-out war between the DePaul family and Malcolm Alexander.

       For Malcolm’s sake, she prayed it wouldn’t come to that. He seemed like a really nice man. As for Ari…the truth was that she liked Ari, although Natasha was pretty sure he didn’t care much for her.

      I probably would’ve tried harder to win him over if he weren’t married. The thought made her laugh. Despite his marital status, she found him compelling, his magnetism potent.

      How could I be attracted to this man? Natasha kept repeating he’s married over and over in her head, but it was as if her heart refused to listen. She turned on the television to take her mind off Ari Alexander.

       Natasha watched TV for about an hour before calling it a night. Her sister’s engagement dinner was tomorrow night, so she and Joshua would be leaving first thing Saturday morning. Natasha was looking forward to seeing her family. She really didn’t have anyone she was close to in Los Angeles, so she relished the time spent with her brother or sister.

       After a relaxing shower, she slipped into her favorite sleepwear, a Lakers basketball jersey with Kobe Bryant’s number. Natasha was a devoted basketball fan.

       Ari drifted into her mind once more, causing her to toss a pillow at the wall in frustration. “Why can’t I stop thinking about you?” she whispered. Natasha didn’t want to think about Ari. He was married, and she respected the boundaries. Her ex-husband had never been faithful. She would never cross that line with a married man.

       She wasn’t that type of woman.

      Chapter 5

      Natasha and Joshua left early Saturday morning, heading to Phoenix for her sister’s engagement dinner.

       “I was about to get worried,” her mother told her when they arrived shortly after twelve noon. “I thought you would be here an hour ago.”

       “There was a bad accident on the I-10.” Natasha hugged her mother. “It’s so good to see you.”

       Joshua hugged his grandmother next. “Where’s Pop?” he asked, referring to his grandfather.

       “He’s in the backyard grilling some hot dogs.”

       Joshua’s face lit up. “He is?”

       Natasha met her mother’s amused gaze and broke into a grin. Her son loved hot dogs, especially grilled hot dogs. “Put your cap on, Joshua.”

       The little boy did as he was told then ran off to the back of the house.

       “He looks good,” her mother said.

       Natasha agreed. “Joshua still tires pretty easily, but he’s much better than before.” She noted a look of sadness on her mother’s face. “The doctor says that he’s a little miracle. Joshua is going to be fine, Mama.”

       Corrine Henry had aged some with worry for her grandson—Natasha could see it on her mother’s face. “He’s fine,” she repeated.

       They were interrupted by the arrival of her brother, Nathan, and his family.

       Natasha was enveloped into a tight bear hug. She laughed and then said, “Boy, you play too much.”

       She greeted her sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek. “Kate, how do you put up with him?”

       “My baby loves me,” Nathan responded, wrapping an arm around his wife.

       Natasha smiled at the look of happiness on her brother’s face. “Yeah, she does love you. That makes me very happy.”

       He embraced her. “You know that I want the same for you.”

       She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to check on the children.”

       Joshua was in the backyard with his cousins, eating. Her father was sitting at the picnic table with them, talking. He was probably telling them stories of his days as a marine.

       Natasha’s eyes traveled the property that ran two acres long. A huge tent had been secured for Natalie’s engagement dinner later that evening. A florist had arrived a few minutes ago with a van loaded with gorgeous arrangements.

       Smiling, Natasha walked up to her father. “Hey, Daddy.”

       Nathan Sr. stood up and gave her a hug. “Hey, baby girl. How was the drive?”

       “It was good,” she responded. “Joshua slept most of the drive down. When he woke up, we sang songs the rest of the way here.”

       She stepped out of the way of the workers carrying centerpieces. “The flowers are lovely.”

       “I know they cost a lot of money,” her father complained. “This is just the engagement party. I don’t know if my wallet can survive the wedding.”

       Natasha laughed. “It won’t be too bad, Daddy. You know Natalie—she’s the sensible one.”

       “I also know your mother.” He winked at her.

       “I know you’re over there talking about me,” Corrine said, walking toward them. “Your father complaining about that wallet of his again?”

       Natasha and her father both cracked up with laughter.

       “I need to unpack our clothes for the dinner tonight,” she told her parents. “I’ll be back in a few. Dad, please don’t let Joshua have another hot dog.”

       “I’m not going to let the boy starve, Natasha. If he’s hungry, let him eat.”

       “Just give him some fruit…please. I’m trying to get him to eat more fruit.”

       After eliciting a promise from her father, Natasha headed back inside the house.

       Nathan had carried her luggage into the house and to her old bedroom, so all Natasha had to do now was unpack. They were going to be in Phoenix for only one night, so they didn’t bring much.

       She hung up her dress and laid out the suit Joshua would be wearing for the dinner this evening.

       Natasha freshened up before joining her mother in the kitchen. “What can I do to help?” she asked.