“Kinda. I want to start a new concept in hotels. One geared for the typical family, with the typical family budget. Nothing over-the-top or high-end.”
Jessie glanced around the inside of the limousine. “Nothing with limos and caviar?”
“That wouldn’t be cost-effective, but minivans and car seats would work. I want to cater to the middle class, but give them some of the same perks The Morrison does.”
“What kind of perks?” She leaned in a little while she listened.
“Room service with food geared for the family. Babysitting, dog sitting, even a spa priced right.” That was his concept for the hotel he was in Ontario to build. “I’d place every hotel around airports, major family vacation destinations.”
“So you want to start a chain of them, not just one? Those are some serious goals, Jack.”
Jack cautioned himself about opening up to Jessie. “I’d start with one, see what works, what doesn’t, then revise and go forward with the profits from the first hotel and build the next.”
“You’re talking massive capital, investors.”
“I’ve been saving.” Which was true.
“What will you name your hotel?” She was smiling, and not in a mocking, Yeah, sure you’ll do that…one day kind of way, but in a sincere, Here’s hoping you do make it kind of way.
“More for Less.”
Jessie held back a laugh.
“What? You don’t like it?”
“Well, ‘More’ is a rip from Morrison, isn’t it?”
“My friends do call me Jack Moore.”
She really didn’t like the name. “Still, ‘More for Less.’ It sounds…I don’t know, cheap. Like Pick ’n Save.”
“It will be priced cheap, compared to The Morrison anyway.”
She sat taller. “The name needs to be something people will brag about. Think of Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Both sell Nordstrom clothing, but one is the cast-off store. If you had an in with The Morrison, I’d suggest you call your place ‘Morrison West’ or something like that. Or name it something completely ambiguous like ‘Jack’s Place.’”
Jack scratched his head and purposely didn’t say anything about her comment concerning an in with The Morrison. “Jack’s Place sounds like a bar to me.”
Jessie waved her free hand at him while she spoke. “Or a friend’s place. Think about it: We’re going to Disneyland and we’re staying at Jack’s Place. Then again, We’re going to Sea World and we’re staying at More for Less. Do you see what I mean? The one sounds like a great time, the other sounds like a budget vacation with hard beds and leaky roofs.”
Jack scratched his jaw. “I never thought of it like that.” He wondered if anyone on his planning team thought the same thing but didn’t want to reveal their concerns because More for Less was his brainchild. He definitely needed to talk to the marketing department on Monday.
Jack watched her lips as she spoke. “You have time to think about the name. It will take years and lots of connections before anyone like us can open up such a place.”
Guilt sucker punched him hard in the gut. Jessie really had no earthly idea who he was or his net worth. If she did know who he really was, would she have been so open and honest with him? Probably not.
Jessie hid a yawn behind her hand and smiled when he caught her eyes. She glanced at their hands, both of which were rolling tiny circles with the other. Her hand skidded away when she realized it was engaged in a little mindless flirting.
Jack missed her touch instantly, but didn’t say a word about it. “I better get you home.”
Nodding, Jessie said, “Yeah. It’s late.”
Only he didn’t want to take her home. He wanted to keep her up late, talking, and then a little kissing, then maybe some more touching. Her pink lips would melt against his, he thought. Head out of the gutter, Jack. You’ll blow it if you come on too strong.
Ignoring his urges, he opened the door and stepped out.
“I’ll ride in front with you, if that’s OK,” she said after slipping her shoes back on and following him through the door.
“Are you sure? It’s much nicer back here.”
“It’s not as much fun when you’re by yourself.”
Conceding, Jack helped her into the passenger’s seat and walked around the car to take the driver’s.
Jessie pointed out which road to take to her apartment.
“When do you work again?” Jack asked.
“I’m off tomorrow, then on for three. If my car needs something big, my sister can take me back and forth. Do you have any idea what’s wrong with it?”
“Might be your starter. I’ll check it out in the morning.” Jack glanced over at her as she opened her purse and took out a pen and a piece of paper.
“Here’s my number. Call me and let me know what it’s going to cost me.”
“Friends don’t charge friends for favors,” he told her.
“You’ve done enough already.”
She hadn’t seen anything…yet.
Jessie placed the paper with her phone number in the cubby that divided the seats. “I’ll have the dress dry cleaned and have it ready to go back to the store.”
“You can keep it.” He switched lanes as he spoke.
“Right, that would be stealing, not borrowing.”