didn’t. Now she struggled with both. Of course, she’d never had such a big deal on the line before. One that Omar wanted with all his heart. If Mr. Bartow didn’t like her, it could affect the chances of Esterly getting the contract.
She needed to stop overanalyzing. This was her nerves talking. She brightened her smile and added an extra pump in her handshake with Mr. Bartow. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bartow.”
The man’s gaze softened. “No formalities here. I’m William.”
“William it is.” Devi forced her shoulders to relax.
Omar pulled their luggage from the rear of the car and placed the bags on the driveway. “William, I’m looking forward to going over my ideas with you as—”
The other man held up his hand, shaking his head with a smile. “No business discussions this afternoon. I want everyone to get acquainted, relax. There’s time to go over plans and ideas later this week. There’s already an itinerary in your inbox that goes over what I have planned, and I’ll be sure to clue you and everyone else in when I decide to meet one on one.” He gave Omar a friendly slap on the back. “The way you jump right into business reminds me of your father. I don’t think he knew how to relax.”
“You knew my father?”
William’s smile grew taut and he drew his head back stiffly. “I thought you knew. Your father and I—”
Devi placed her hands on each man’s shoulder. “I thought we weren’t going to discuss business. Past or present.”
“You’re right.” William smiled and nodded.
“And forgive Omar. He’s still a work in progress when it comes to letting business go to have some fun. I’m hoping this week will loosen him up.” Devi laced her arm through Omar’s and gave him a brief squeeze.
“If he’s anything like his old man, you might have your work cut out for you.” William gestured them toward the front door, signaling the man hovering off to the side to take care of their luggage.
“Believe me, I know. Trying to get him to relax is like moving a mountain.” Devi and the older man shared a smile.
Yes, definitely nerves. Her first impression of William Bartow had been off base. He seemed to like her and Omar just fine.
William turned toward Omar. “I know it’s long overdue, but I was sorry to hear about Leland. I know it’s probably been tough on your family and the business. He was a true powerhouse. A brilliant mind.”
Omar nodded. “He was. We all miss him, but I can assure you he taught me the business inside and out. I hope to prove that to you later when I lay out my plan.” He put up his hand as Devi opened her mouth to protest. “But for now, I’ll listen to Devi and save business for later.”
“Smart move,” William said. “How about I take you up to your room, you can both get settled, and then come down and join everyone at the pool?”
“Sounds wonderful. Are we the last to arrive?” Devi fell into step beside Omar as they all made their way up the front staircase.
“Brian Price, along with his wife and son, had a family reunion today. They’ll be here first thing in the morning. You know Price, don’t you, Omar?”
“I do. He actually worked at Esterly with my father before joining Wainwright and Smith.” Omar’s jaw ticked.
Omar and Brian weren’t exactly what anyone in their right mind would term friends. They might not even want to be compared as associates. Devi didn’t know what had happened since their history was long before she’d known Omar, but somewhere along the line of their careers they’d butted heads.
Might be best to change the subject.
“I noticed your beautiful infinity pool, William. From the angle driving up, it looks like it drops into the ocean. You picked the perfect name for your estate as well.”
“Thank you. As for the pool, it’s newly installed. I enjoy my morning laps there. The other pool is larger, that’s where everyone is gathered. Do you like to swim, Devi?” He opened the
She needed to stop overanalyzing. This was her nerves talking. She brightened her smile and added an extra pump in her handshake with Mr. Bartow. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bartow.”
The man’s gaze softened. “No formalities here. I’m William.”
“William it is.” Devi forced her shoulders to relax.
Omar pulled their luggage from the rear of the car and placed the bags on the driveway. “William, I’m looking forward to going over my ideas with you as—”
The other man held up his hand, shaking his head with a smile. “No business discussions this afternoon. I want everyone to get acquainted, relax. There’s time to go over plans and ideas later this week. There’s already an itinerary in your inbox that goes over what I have planned, and I’ll be sure to clue you and everyone else in when I decide to meet one on one.” He gave Omar a friendly slap on the back. “The way you jump right into business reminds me of your father. I don’t think he knew how to relax.”
“You knew my father?”
William’s smile grew taut and he drew his head back stiffly. “I thought you knew. Your father and I—”
Devi placed her hands on each man’s shoulder. “I thought we weren’t going to discuss business. Past or present.”
“You’re right.” William smiled and nodded.
“And forgive Omar. He’s still a work in progress when it comes to letting business go to have some fun. I’m hoping this week will loosen him up.” Devi laced her arm through Omar’s and gave him a brief squeeze.
“If he’s anything like his old man, you might have your work cut out for you.” William gestured them toward the front door, signaling the man hovering off to the side to take care of their luggage.
“Believe me, I know. Trying to get him to relax is like moving a mountain.” Devi and the older man shared a smile.
Yes, definitely nerves. Her first impression of William Bartow had been off base. He seemed to like her and Omar just fine.
William turned toward Omar. “I know it’s long overdue, but I was sorry to hear about Leland. I know it’s probably been tough on your family and the business. He was a true powerhouse. A brilliant mind.”
Omar nodded. “He was. We all miss him, but I can assure you he taught me the business inside and out. I hope to prove that to you later when I lay out my plan.” He put up his hand as Devi opened her mouth to protest. “But for now, I’ll listen to Devi and save business for later.”
“Smart move,” William said. “How about I take you up to your room, you can both get settled, and then come down and join everyone at the pool?”
“Sounds wonderful. Are we the last to arrive?” Devi fell into step beside Omar as they all made their way up the front staircase.
“Brian Price, along with his wife and son, had a family reunion today. They’ll be here first thing in the morning. You know Price, don’t you, Omar?”
“I do. He actually worked at Esterly with my father before joining Wainwright and Smith.” Omar’s jaw ticked.
Omar and Brian weren’t exactly what anyone in their right mind would term friends. They might not even want to be compared as associates. Devi didn’t know what had happened since their history was long before she’d known Omar, but somewhere along the line of their careers they’d butted heads.
Might be best to change the subject.
“I noticed your beautiful infinity pool, William. From the angle driving up, it looks like it drops into the ocean. You picked the perfect name for your estate as well.”
“Thank you. As for the pool, it’s newly installed. I enjoy my morning laps there. The other pool is larger, that’s where everyone is gathered. Do you like to swim, Devi?” He opened the
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