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and shook his head wearily. He hated to disappoint her, but her stupid fundraiser really wasn’t his problem. But he still felt guilty that he had forgotten, so he knew he had to somehow make it up to her. “Hey, but if you wanna come down and visit me today we can get lunch together. I know you miss me.”
    Though she didn’t make a sound, he knew she was probably smiling. Any excuse to visit the hotel usually put her in a less crabby mood. “ Alright. But it’s very important that you make those phone calls as soon as possible. I would ask Grant, but he’s impossibly busy, and I’m sure you can free up an hour or two to take care of it. The fundraiser is great publicity for the hotel, as I’m sure you’re aware. ”
    “I am aware,” Linc frowned, fighting to ignore his mother’s deliberate comment about his brother. She just had to slip in the jab about preferring entrusting Grant with the task, because he’s obviously so much better. It was so typical of her. “Now why don’t you call up Mads and bug her about the catering list and leave me alone for once?”
    She sighed again, though it was a little more affectionate this time. “ Goodbye, Linc. ”
    “Bye, mom,” he said as he hung up the phone, setting it beside him on the bench once more. He glanced over at his friend, shaking his head wearily. “She knows just how to make me feel guilty enough to give her what she wants.”
    “That’s what mothers do best.”
    “It drives me crazy.” Linc sat back against the tile wall once more and released a long, annoyed breath. “And then she just has to slip in that ‘oh, Linc, I would just ask Grant, but you know how awfully busy he is.’” He mocked his mother’s voice, chuckling to himself despite the irritation he felt over it.
    “In all fairness, you’re sitting in a sauna right now while big brother’s upstairs buried in paperwork,” Greg pointed out with a grin.
    Linc shrugged, seeing his point. “I’m not doubting that Grant works hard, but does she have to rub it in my face that he’s the pride and joy of the family and I’ll always be second best?”
    “Think of it this way: you may not be able to do Grant’s job, but he certainly can’t do yours. See, guys like us, we have the salesman gene in our blood. We can charm ink off paper if we have to. And that is why you are head of marketing and customer relations, and why he sticks to managing, because that’s what he’s best at.”
    Linc considered this for a moment, feeling monumentally better. Greg was right; he was being ridiculous. He met his friend’s eyes with a grin. “So what do I owe you for the advice?”
    “You could put in a good word about me with your sister, see if she’ll give me another shot.”
    Linc burst out laughing without a moment’s hesitation. “Seriously? You’ve got some balls if you’re gonna try that again. The woman’s a viper and you know it.”
    “One of the sexiest vipers I’ve ever come across.”
    “Did you think she was sexy when she tossed her vodka tonic in your face the last time you tried to ask her out?” Linc asked, delightfully amused by the memory. “If I recall, you called her a disgusting, dirty name and stalked out, furious. I really should have beat you up for it in her honor, but I felt too damn bad for you.”
    “That vodka did sting pretty bad,” Greg said thoughtfully, frowning.
    “Let that be a lesson to you. Madison Vasser is off limits, and it’s not just because she’s my little sister.” Linc chuckled, shaking his head. “But then again, you never learn.”
    “You’re one to talk, Vasser. You always date actresses and models with pea-sized brains and then wonder why they can’t even name all fifty states.” Greg checked his watch distractedly, noting the time. “I gotta get going. Same time next week?”
    “I’ll be here, like always.” Linc held out his hand for a fist bump as Greg strolled out of the sauna, then leaned back against the cool