I glance over at Eddie. His cheeks are flushed pink. I want to clarify everything for him, but I don’t have a chance.
Jules says, “If you could follow me. I’ll take you to your changing rooms.” She ushers us through a glass door to an areawith multiple doors. There, we see a sign that says, “Mr. and Mrs. Evans.”
My heart drops. This just keeps getting worse.
“I’ll need my own changing room,” I tell her.
“Oh, okay.” Jules sounds annoyed, but says, “You can use this one.” She points to the next door. “Once you are finished changing, you can sit in The Serenity Room.” She motions to an area with tan lounge chairs in front of a giant pink Himalayan salt wall.
Wow this place really is luxurious. I linger, making a mental note to have a salt wall at my future resort. Eddie has already gone into his changing room, so I hurry into mine. Inside, I find the softest robe I have ever touched in my life. I’m about to rub the white fabric against my face when I stop myself, remembering that my makeup will get it dirty.
I slide my arms into the luscious robe, tie the belt and glance in the mirror. I can’t believe I’m getting paid to spend time at the spa. I almost squeal with excitement. Then it hits me that I’m about to see Eddie Evans in a robe. I tense, then relax, remembering I’ve already seen him in his underwear. He, however, has not seen his resort host in a robe.
My pulse races. Maybe this is a bad idea.
I sit on the bench. What am I doing? This is crazy. I shouldn’t be enjoying the spa. How is Eddie going to take me seriously after he’s seen me in a robe?
“Miss,” I hear Jules say through the door. “Are you ready?”
I want to yell, “No!” But instead, I feel myself stand. My legs have betrayed me. They must want a break. I take a deep breath and open the door.
Chapter 11
Eddie
I’mstaringatwhatI’ve learned is a Himalayan pink salt wall in The Serenity Room. There’s a sign with the room name. Underneath it, the words “calm, peaceful, untroubled” are written in the style of a dictionary definition.
Since seeing the kid that looked like my brother and learning about the Mynt interview request, I’ve been the opposite of serene. I rub my shoulder and stretch out my neck. It’s like my past is hunting me down, determined to break me.
That’s what brought on the migraine yesterday. It’s one of my body’s many reactions to stress. To get through it, I took my migraine medicine and laid in the pitch black of my hotel bedroom. I attempted to sleep, but instead, my mind ran laps around old memories and my current money issues.
I considered canceling the spa day, but I didn’t want to disappoint Maya. I can tell she’s trying really hard to help me enjoy Mynt Peak. It’s not her fault that Christmas is triggering and that being asked to share my life story means talking about the car accident that killed my brother.
I feel the migraine threatening to return when Maya walks into The Serenity Room. Her presence fills the space with warmth like the rising sun, which also might be why my blood pressure skyrockets. Her hair is in what I think is called a bun. It’s very formal, which is in sharp contrast to the robe she is wearing. She looks at the ground before meeting my eyes.
“You know, I thought it might be awkward seeing a guest while in a robe. And it is,” she laughs nervously.
“Imagine meeting your hotel host in your Cheez-It boxers,” I reply.
Maya sits in the lounge chair next to me. She’s perched on the edge of the seat, not lounging back at all. “I am so sorry about that, by the way. And I am very sorry about the Cheez-It delivery. I don’t know what I was thinking. Well, I do. I was hoping you’d find it funny and that it’d make you feel less embarrassed, but I could tell that I really messed that up.”
I wave away her concern. “I should apologize. I was so surprised to see you in my room and then you were so…” I pause, wanting to say beautiful but think better of it. Instead I say, “professional. I hated that was your first impression of me. Then, later when you handed me the Cheez-Its, I panicked. I was so embarrassed by the whole thing.”
“Don’t be.” Maya smiles. “Besides, that is now one of my most memorable interactions with a guest. You took the top spot.”
I shake my head and smirk. “I promise, I don’t regularly wear food boxers. I did a commercial for Cheez-Its, and Roger requested a pair for me as a joke. Initially, I wasn’t planning on ever wearing them, but they are actually super comfortable. I shouldn’t have slammed the door in your face. I’m sorry.”
Maya giggles and her eyes sparkle. I didn’t even think that was a real thing.
“Why are you laughing at my heartfelt apology?” I ask, confused.
“I was just picturing your face when you saw the Cheez-Its in my hand.” The laughs roll out louder. “You were like—” and she proceeds to make a shocked face, eyebrows raised to her forehead.
Now, I can’t help but laugh. “There’s no way that’s what I looked like.”
“You did! I’m not lying.” Belly laughs erupt.
That’s when we hear someone clearing their throat. Jules walks in and points to a sign that says, “Quiet please, relaxation in progress.”
