8. Sebastian
Since we’re missing two of the new interns, Raya asks me to show the three that are here how to get to the staff wing.
I lead Maverick, Owen, and Brooklyn through the maze of back halls, their suitcases rolling silently alongside them. The carts haven’t materialized. I should text Bertie again.
Only a small portion of our staff lives on site, but we offer it as a temporary option to new hires from other cities since Boulder is notoriously difficult for renters.
When Havannah got pregnant and knew we would need more leadership staff, it was her idea to set aside five of the small apartments for the best and brightest new graduates from colleges all over the nation. She wanted them close and young and hungry for advancement.
We haven’t announced it yet, but she’s looking for someone as passionate as her to take over the event management, the crown jewel of what our hotel offers. From the infamous Haunted Ball to Bridgerton fetes and murder mystery nights, she keeps the hotel busy, even in the off season.
There are secret suites behind hidden staircases that not even all the staff knows about, an entire princess wing with party suites for special birthdays, and the haunted wing as well. The specialized rooms in the castle have an entirely separate process for booking, since they are in high demand.
It’s a fun place to work. Havannah is great. These new interns don’t know how good they’re about to have it.
“I’m never going to find my way out of here again,” Brooklyn groans as we make yet another turn. “I feel like a rat in a maze.”
“You’ll figure it out. There is a system.” I point to the corner where the hall splits. “At the top there, you’ll see letters and numbers. That one says ‘SW-1’ for ‘Staff wing one.’”
“How many staff wings are there?” Owen asks.
“Two,” I tell him.
“Men’s and women’s?” Maverick asks.
“Nope. All mixed.” I stride ahead of them. “We’ve made it to your block of rooms.” I pause in front of SW175. “Maverick, this one should be yours. Use your ID card.”
Maverick steps forward with all the swagger of a man who thinks highly of himself. I think he’s showing off for Brooklyn, but she’s not paying him much attention. He holds his ID in front of the infrared lock and it pops open.
“Sweet,” he says, pulling his suitcase through the door. “Catch ya later.”
“The staff meeting starts in fifteen minutes,” I tell him. “It might take that long to find your way back.”
He doesn’t answer, just allows the door to close behind him.
Uncle Roger is about to owe me big time for this.
“Brooklyn, I think you’re next.” We head to another door.
She walks up, leaning over to use the card hanging around her neck.
Owen can’t stop staring at her, taking in the back of her jeans. There might be a cockfight between him and Maverick over her. I may have to keep watch over this group more closely than the usual new hires. We’ve never had five young unattached interns arrive at the same time before, much less living on the same hall.
“Got it!” She lets out a squeal as the door unlatches. “This is exciting!”
“Do you want me to wait for you and make sure you can get back?” I ask.
“I’ll do it,” Owen says. “I’m good with halls, and directions, and stuff.”
“Cool,” Brooklyn says. “I’m not. Meet you right here in ten?”
Owen’s face lights up. “Absolutely.”
Yeah, real close watch. Maverick’s about to be behind the eight-ball on this, and I have a feeling he’ll take it out on Owen.
I turn to the other side of the hall. “Yours is over here.”
He’s pleased that he’s so close to Brooklyn. When his door clicks open, I tell him, “Ask anyone for directions if you get lost. It’s a big place, but the staff knows you’re here.”
“Will do. Thank you, Mr. Young, sir.”
“Call me Sebastian.” I give him a wave. “See you soon.”
I have a few minutes before I have to be back at the offices. I wonder which wing of the hotel Mila is staying on. It’s going to take some willpower to avoid looking up her room. I left things in her hands. She can ask for me.
It feels unlikely.
Even so, I decide to stop by the lobby to check on Bertie under the guise of needing the carts. See what he knows.
But when I get there, he’s not around, and neither is Aisha. Jessica is manning the front desk alone. There’s no one in the lobby. We’re in the lull between check-out and check-in.
“Hello, Mr. Young,” Jessica says. “How are the interns?”
“I took three of them to the staff wing.” Since there is no one here to casually ask about Mila, I decide to head back to the offices. I can’t make a big show of seeking out Aisha or Bertie over this. It will be too obvious.
Jessica is fairly new, but both Aisha and Bertie have been here long enough to know about Haley, and the effect of that relationship on my sister, and that I haven’t seen anyone since. They’ll clue in if I seem interested in someone new.
I push through the staff exit to the back hall. Once the meeting is over, I’ll ponder my options. I could send Mila a complimentary basket like we do the VIPs. Or a cookie tray. Or…
Just stop, Sebastian. She’s temporary anyway. Two hotels equal not being local.
But there is that matter of her virginity.
Maybe that’s what I really want to know about. Why me? Why now? Why a stranger?
Of course, I have access to her phone number if I want it. Her address. Anything. But I won’t abuse my privileges here. If Mila wants to be left alone, I’ll simply have to accept it.
Raya steps outside her office when I return. “Oh good. Do you think we have time to send the last two to their rooms before we meet, or should they leave their things on the carts and move in after? I gave them their badges.”
“The other interns will be on their way back,” I say. “But it doesn’t matter. We can make small talk while we wait.”
“They’ll need someone to show them the way,” Raya says. “And if you go, you can scoop up the others if they’re lost.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The two carts sit by the back door, already partially piled with suitcases and boxes. I’m sure the other three have a lot more to bring in as well.
But that means Bertie was here. I missed him. Damn. I really wanted to get an idea from him if Mila seemed upset, or off in any way.
One of the bags on the second cart looks familiar. I pass Raya to look at it more closely.
That’s odd. It’s exactly like the one Mila was carrying.
The one I saw on the floor of her hotel room.
And isn’t that her rolling case? I distinctly remember the bright pink tie.
I stare at it, my brain trying to solve this unexpected puzzle, when the door opens.
The first young woman is petite, dark-haired, and Hispanic. She seems surprised to see me so close, but quickly drops two boxes on a cart.
And behind her, sporting one of the white intern badges, is a face I absolutely recognize. Eyes I stared into. A mouth I kissed. A lot.
Mila.