Excitement infiltrates the blood flowing through my veins as I drink him in. He’s got a duffel bag slung over his shoulders, and he’s wearing a training top and shorts with socks and sneakers.
“You go to the gym here?” I ask at the same time Gwen says, “Thor’s party. You’re going, right?”
Callan smirks. “Yes, and yes.”
“Gwen!” Lucille calls out from the entryway to the bar and restaurant. The duty manager does not look happy as she taps her watch. “Your break ended two minutes ago.”
“She should quit the hotel industry and enlist,” Gwen grumbles. “Get a new watch too because there’s no way my break is over yet.”
I don’t disagree with my bestie, but it’s best not to aggravate Lucille. I prefer Jake or Hailey, the other two duty managers, because they’re more relaxed and flexible. Jake was the one who secured my promotion to the front desk, and he also spoke to the interior design company that worked on the new wing over the summer, ensuring I got to intern with them for a few hours a week in my free time. The stuff I learned was invaluable, and the owner has already given me a written reference and offered me a job next summer if I want it.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lucille wear a smile. She’s so serious all the time and a real stickler for the rules. “Don’t give her extra ammunition,” I say. “You need to be on your best behavior,” I remind her. Gwen isn’t the most punctual or reliable employee, and she’s already received a few cautions. If she’s not careful, she could lose her job.
“I know, I know.” She smiles at Callan. “Good to see you. Don’t train too hard.” She walks off toward the scowling duty manager, and I would not like to be in her shoes.
I straighten up and plaster a professional smile on as I face Callan. “I didn’t know you were a member here.” I slide a paper across the counter to him. “Pretend to fill that out, or Lucille will come for me next.”
“Something tells me you’ve never been in trouble at work,” he says, looking down at the form and pretending to fill it in. “Whereas, that same instinct suggests your friend attracts trouble without even trying.”
“Your instincts aren’t wrong. Gwen really isn’t suited to waitressing, but the resort is the best employer in town, and it’s steady, consistent work.”
“They have the best facilities in town. None of the other gyms have a pool, sauna, and a plunge pool.”
“I’ve heard that, but membership fees are not cheap.”
Setting the pen down, he looks briefly across the lobby toward the bar, but Lucille has thankfully disappeared. “They aren’t, but my parents forked out for it.”
“That was nice of them. It seems like they really want you to be happy here.”
He shrugs, and the movement stretches his shirt across his broad chest. “I suppose.” He runs a hand through his hair. “So, will you be at Thor’s tonight?”
“Yeah. Gwen twisted my arm,” I lie. “I’ll be there.”
“Cool.” His eyes seem to light up as he stares at me, and I could drown in the warmth I find there.
The sound of heels on the polished marble floor claims my attention, and I look toward the front doors, spying a man and woman heading this way, wheeling small cases behind them.
“Duty calls.” Scrunching up the form, I toss it into the trash as I prepare to greet the new guests.
Callan glances over his shoulder, gripping the strap of his bag. “I’ll catch you later.”
“Sure.” I watch him walk off for a few seconds before turning my attention to the couple who have just reached the desk.
My shift is busy, and I don’t even notice Callan or Gwen leaving, but on the plus side, eight o’clock rolls around fast, and soon I’m making my way home. Gwen texts while I’m in the shower, confirming everyone is at Thor’s waiting for me. She shares a sneaky pic of Callan, captured while he was chatting to Ana, which shaves a few layers off my excitement.
It's stupid I’m going to this party for him. I know Callan likes me, but he hasn’t given any indication he wants to be more than friends, and I shouldn’t be entertaining thoughts of more. I’m probably the only one who feels the chemistry in the air when we’re together. I need to remember my goals and stop fantasizing. Period.
After quickly blow-drying and straightening my hair, I leave it to fall in straight sheets down my back. I throw on my skinny, ripped black jeans, pairing them with a black crop top that has thin straps and a lace overlay. After slipping my feet into my red ballet flats, I grab a sweater, spritz on some perfume, and put on mascara and lip gloss before leaving my bedroom.
The party is in full swing by the time I get there. Thor chose to stay with his dad after his parents’ divorce three years ago, while his younger sister went to live with their mom out of state. His dad travels a lot with work, and he’s very laid-back, letting Thor throw parties as long as no one drinks his booze or trashes the place, and it’s clean when he gets home. Thor held regular parties over the summer, and it was fun.
“Astrid!” Nikki hollers, waving her hands in the air to claim my attention the instant I set foot in the crowded living room.She has to shout to be heard over the music thumping from the loudspeakers.
Scanning my surroundings, I see so many people from school, including most of the soccer and football players. I smile, wave, and say hello as I make my way across the room, skimming around the makeshift dance floor where students are dancing up a storm. Butterflies are thrumming in my chest as I search the party for my new neighbor. I don’t see Callan, and I wonder if he’s already hooking up with someone upstairs. Thor locks his father’s room, but the other bedrooms are fair game. Remembering the last party I was at, and what Joe and I got up to in the guest bedroom, I have a hard time not imagining Callan upstairs with Ana on her knees, blowing him.
As if I’d conjured him, my ex appears in front of me, gripping my arms to stop me from falling when I bump against him. “Asti. I was hoping you’d be here. We need to talk.”
We really don’t, and I hate it when he calls me that.
