Chapter 55 Competition

Alicia Davenport Sitting in my office, I typed out the final details of the proposal before giving it a last once-over. Everything was crisp, professional, and flawless—exactly how I intended it to be. Mr. Laquan had contacted Davenport Architects about designing his new hotel, but I had no doubt he had also reached out to other firms. That’s just how men like him operated. Always a backup plan. Always weighing options before making a final decision. I exhaled slowly, clicking send. Leaning back in my chair, I stretched my arms and allowed myself a moment of relief. It wasn’t winning that was difficult—it was waiting. Still, I wasn’t worried. I had confidence in my proposal. If Mr. Laquan wanted something innovative, something that would make his hotel stand out, then he would choose me. Just as I was about to close my laptop, my phone buzzed. Nicholas Andrieux. I rolled my eyes. Is he serious? It was a text. "Lunch?" I scoffed. Lunch? With him? I had no problem being aroun