I feel Holly’s arm wrap around my shoulders. “If this guy even looks at you wrong, you call or text me, and I’m there. I have an orange belt in karate, and I’m not afraid to use it.”
I chuckle. “Hey,” Holly protests. “Respect the orange belt. I can inflict some significant damage if needed.”
I pat her hand. “I don’t doubt it. That’s why I would never mess with you.”
“Good.” Holly leans her head into mine. “Now, let’s look at some best-case scenarios. What if Eddie Evans is a good guy? What if you have a great time? What if he proposes?”
“Holly!”
“What?” She laughs.
Holly is the best at cheering me up. Although we’ve only known each other for two years, she’s by far the best friend I’ve ever had. We met at Mynt Peak’s new staff orientation. I was sitting in the front row. Holly arrived late, of course, and there was only one seat left, right next to me.
Even though I’m more reserved and she’s…not, we clicked instantly. I love her zest for life and carefree nature.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m an upbeat person. I’m just also extremely responsible and pragmatic. But, in this case, I suppose Holly is right. I should give this guy a chance. A professional tennis player could be nice, and I do love showing people around Mynt Peak Resort. The town of Winterbrook is amazing too. There’s so much to do, especially at Christmastime.
I stand with renewed energy. “I can do this.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!” She pats my butt like an old-school coach. “So, what’s your first task?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m meeting with Lauren in ten minutes to go over the itinerary. I should actually head to her office now. Don’t want to be late.” I smooth out my knee-length, black pencil skirt and straighten the name tag on my pressed, black blazer.
“You look amazing, and you’re going to be the best escort ever!”
“Holly!” I whisper shout.
She just laughs and waves as I walk out.
On my way through the lobby, I take a deep breath and mentally pump myself up while smiling as I pass guests. I am a Mynt Peak Resort expert. I have done every task from housekeeping to check-in to now, lobby decorator. I have often assisted guests as a concierge. I know this place like the back of my hand—partly because for the last two years I’ve spent all my time either here or studying, but also because I take extensive notes.
That’s right, I’m a nerd. I prefer to think of myself as a passionate person with a desire to be a resort owner one day. That means I write down each night what went well and what I would do differently if I was in charge. I just want to be fully prepared for the time when I can manage and then, hopefully, own my own resort one day.
When I get to Lauren’s office door, I knock softly. Within seconds, she opens the door. “Oh, hi, come on in.” She seems frazzled, which is unlike her.
Lauren walks back behind her desk and rifles through a stack of papers. “Athletes have been arriving all day, and it’s all hands on deck. Now, as I mentioned, you’ll be hosting Eddie Evans. When Mr. Mynt described the ideal host for Eddie, I immediately thought of you. You’re kind, great withguests, enthusiastic—but not too much—and you’re incredibly knowledgeable. Honestly, you’re the perfect person for this job.” Lauren stops at her final words and looks up at me with a smile. “And, if all goes well, there will be a very generous Christmas bonus in your account.”
My mind races at her last words. I could really use the money. Being raised by a single mom, finances have always been tight. I have college loans due, and I would really love to treat my mom to a nice Christmas gift. She deserves it for all she’s done for me. It’s not just my dream to manage a resort, it was hers too…before she had me at a young age.
Lauren’s voice brings me back to the task at hand. “Here’s the Evans itinerary for the week,” she says, picking up a piece of paper and handing it to me.
Eddie Evans’s name is printed in the top right hand corner. The header has the official Mynt Peak Resort logo in bold letters. Underneath the logo, in red and green script, it says “Thank you for joining us for the Mynt to Make a Difference Charity Week.” As I scan the paper, I see events with dates and times. “Mr. Evans is required to attend the ones highlighted. The rest are encouraged, but optional.”
I nod, noticing there is about one event each day that he needs to attend. “Your job is to make sure he’s at each required event. Mr. Mynt also wants you to see that he has a great time, so find out what Mr. Evans enjoys and coordinate any personal activities throughout the city that he’d like to try. Mr. Mynt will cover any additional expenses incurred.”
“Okay.” My mind is spinning with excursion ideas, but also with questions. “Is Mr. Mynt doing this for all the athletes? It’s very generous of him.”
Lauren nibbles on her bottom lip before responding. “I’m not at liberty to say, but he has taken a…special interest in Mr. Evans.”
I nod, mulling over what that could possibly mean. At that moment, a man gives a knock on the door frame.
“Oh, great timing,” Lauren says as she comes to the front of her desk. “Maya, this is Mr. Evans’s agent, Mr. Roger Gray.”
We both reach out at the same time to shake hands. “You can call me Roger,” he says with a kind smile.
“Nice to meet you, Roger,” I reply.
Lauren chimes in. “Maya will be Mr. Evans’s host for the week. She’ll accompany him to events and arrange extracurricular excursions. Anything Mr. Evans might like. Mr. Mynt wants him to enjoy his stay.”
