How to Drink Whisky. Dave Broom

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ had to make a slight detour,” Tanner explained, gazing at his brother. They were the same height. Many had said they would be hard to tell apart between their close features and size, except Solomon chose to wear his black hair long and curly instead of shaving it all off. Tanner was glad that set them apart. The last thing he needed or wanted was to have people getting him confused with his brother and vice versa. Particularly where it concerned the ladies, as their tastes were about as different as night and day.

      “Oh, right, the accident,” Solomon said.

      “What accident?” Frank asked, scratching his thinning blond-gray hair.

      “Just a slight fender bender,” Tanner said. “I took care of it. No big deal.”

      “Glad to hear that,” Solomon told him. “We’ve got less than forty-eight hours till the big opening, and there’s still a lot to be done.”

      Tanner smiled. “Including cost cutting?”

      “Hey, someone has to watch the bottom line,” his brother said with a chuckle.

      “And you’re the right man for the job. Don’t you agree, Frank?”

      “Absolutely,” he said. “Together, you two are unbeatable.”

      “Which makes the three of us that much more formidable,” Tanner told him, patting the fiftysomething general manager on the back. They began walking and Tanner regarded both men. “So bring me up to speed on anything I’ve missed, and I’ll do the same.”

      “Well, for one, you missed the glamorous Kendre Kelly rehearsing for her opening act in the concert hall,” Frank told him.

      Tanner frowned. She was one of the top singing talents around these days. They had secured her services for the next three months. He would have more than enough time to see her perform.

      “Is she as good as they say?” he asked for effect.

      “Better,” Frank claimed. “Back me up on this, Solomon.”

      “Yeah, she’s good—including on the eyes.”

      Tanner chuckled. “Leave it up to my brother to focus more on her looks than talent.”

      “Look who’s talking,” Solomon tossed back. “I’m not the one who dated a hot-to-trot dancer, awed much more by her beauty than her footwork.”

      “Guilty as charged,” Tanner said. “But then, she didn’t work for me. Have to draw the line somewhere.”

      Solomon grinned crookedly. “Understood.”

      Tanner wasn’t so sure he did, knowing Solomon had a weakness for beautiful women. The fact that Kendre was now employed at the Aloha Seas would not likely change this any.

      For his part, Tanner could also appreciate a lovely, sexy woman. Bianca Wagner came to mind again. Good thing she wasn’t working for them, so there were no barriers standing in the way of them getting together, assuming the opportunity presented itself.

      * * *

      Bianca resisted the urge to overdress for the grand opening event, preferring to keep it simple and stylish with a sleeveless blue A-line dress and low heels. She decided to leave her hair down and loose, and wore little makeup, as usual, preferring the natural glow of her complexion.

      Accompanied by Melanie, she entered the packed Aloha Seas and both women were immediately in awe.

      “This is so cool,” Melanie said, taking in the glamor and glitter of the tropical-themed hotel. “Makes me want to check out Hawaii in person.”

      “You should,” Bianca told her. “You’d love it there.”

      “I’m sure I would, especially with the right man on my arm.”

      Bianca smiled. “That’s always a plus,” she said.

      “Aloha!” Bianca heard the familiar deep voice. She turned to find Tanner standing there with another tall, well-dressed man who, by the looks of him, could only be Tanner’s brother.

      “Hello,” she said.

      Tanner grinned. “Glad you could make it.”

      “We wouldn’t have missed this,” Melanie said enthusiastically.

      “This is my friend, Melanie,” Bianca said.

      “Nice to meet you,” Tanner told her, shaking Melanie’s hand. “And this is my brother, Solomon.”

      “Ladies,” Solomon said, smiling.

      Bianca smiled back. She could see the resemblance between the brothers right down to the neatly trimmed mustaches and goatees, aside from the fact that Solomon had hair atop his head and Tanner did not.

      “Was your car repaired to your satisfaction?” Tanner asked her.

      “It will be ready in two days,” Bianca told him. “Thank you.”

      “It was the least I could do, since Johan caused the damage.”

      “I really love the hotel,” Melanie said.

      “Mahalo!” Solomon responded, thanking her.

      “Can’t wait to see the casino.”

      “I’d be happy to give you a tour,” he said.

      “I’ll take you up on that,” Melanie responded, beaming.

      Solomon grinned. “Then let’s go for it.”

      Bianca watched as the two walked away, leaving her alone with Tanner. “That was quick,” she commented.

      “For Melanie or Solomon?” he quipped.

      “Both.”

      Tanner chuckled. “Solomon’s always had an eye for pretty ladies. Your friend certainly fits the bill.”

      Bianca couldn’t argue the point. She only hoped Melanie knew what she was getting herself into. Or maybe Melanie didn’t care. Bianca was well aware that her friend was a free spirit, often living for the moment rather than the future.

      “Why don’t I show you around,” Tanner said loudly, amidst an exquisite setting overflowing with invited guests, tourists and employees moving this way and that with blended chatter. “If you’d like?”

      “Are you sure I wouldn’t be keeping you from anything?” she asked tentatively.

      “I’ve got a lot on my plate today,” he admitted. “But I think I can spare a few minutes for a beautiful lady.”

      Bianca warmed to the compliment, even though she suspected he used that line quite a bit on women. “Okay, in that case, I’ll take a few minutes of your time to check out the place.”

      Tanner flashed a pleased smile. “I like your СКАЧАТЬ