1. Maxine ‘Max’ Munoz
one
maxine ‘max’ munoz
I felt like I could literally walk on a cloud. Who knew a massage from a seriously hot older guy could be life changing? Had I known, I would have splurged on one earlier. To say my rare day off had been a success would have been an understatement. But as I glanced at the ski resort’s laundry room, I sighed.
A day off for my coworker, Olive and I, meant no one else stepped in and took over. There was mountain after mountain of things to catch up on. Sheets, bedding, towels. But even seeing them, I still felt lighter on my feet. Almost like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
I’d never believed a massage could make a huge difference, but just thinking about Car and the way he’d touched me made me stop in my tracks, a towel in my hand. His touch… I shook the thought away, but even so, I knew my face had turned a couple shades of pink.
Not to mention getting home last night and after a night of tossing and turning despite my body feeling good and less achy, I’d lost the battle of trying not to play with myself while thinking about him. What the relaxing, tantalizing massage could have turned into. Just thinking about my dirty fantasy had me sweating. And it had nothing to do with the giant sheet press.
It was over twenty-four hours since my massage, but I couldn’t help thinking about him. Car. Just his name made me smile. It made him so different than anyone I’d ever met. His blue eyes and dark hair. Those strong slightly calloused hands that had roamed up and down my body. My body still tingled just thinking about it. He hadn’t been chatty, but I could have sworn that my body had been hyperaware of every manly sound he’d made.
“Hey!” Olive Trejo, my coworker, called out as she walked straight to the small row of lockers against the far wall we had so we could store our things. “How was your day off?” she asked, not bothering to look at me.
“It was okay.” I shrugged, shaking off all thoughts of Car. Is that short for something? Carter? Carson? Carmine?
“How about yours?” I asked, knowing that Olive could be chatty.
She went on to tell me about her and her sisters. I half-listened while she spoke, making the appropriate noises and comments. Usually, I enjoyed her stories. She and her family were close, and if I was honest, I envied them. No matter what, the Trejos always had one another’s back.
I didn’t have anyone anymore. Not really.
My dad had never been a part of our family since I was born. My mom had done her best raising my older sister and me, until she passed away my junior year in high school. By then, Sam had been long gone. We hardly spoke. Mostly sending one another a rare message on holidays. And even then, the messages were dry and cookie cutter.
Working nights in the laundry room had given me a safe place to rest my head back then. Until the manager of the resort, Stan, had figured out I had been sleeping on the ground next to the lockers. Thankfully, even though our boss had a grouchy guy exterior, he was nothing but a softie. Stan started to let me know what rooms were free so I could sleep in them as long as I cleaned up the room before I left. I’d done that until six months after I had graduated and saved enough for a small studio apartment in town close to the buses that ran to the resort.
Slowly, I’d watched as the economy took a toll in our beloved small mountain town of Moonlit Pines. Businesses had shut down and even the ski resort had been sold twice, all while it slowly depleted to a shadow of what it had once been. Employees had been let go down to a skeleton crew. Heck, even my beloved Stan, who was the closest thing I had to family, worried he would be next.
Then, two months ago, the resort had been sold to some rich hotelier family. The Storms. Everyone I knew from town and the resort had been all a buzz. They sounded intimidating and from what I had heard from everyone who had interacted with them, especially with the older brother and boss, they were.
So, I stopped asking questions.
I kept on going like I had since I’d started working there when I was sixteen. With my head down, doing the best of my ability, hoping and praying my job wouldn’t be replaced by being outsourced to a third-party laundry company.
The only thing that made me somewhat hopeful was the fact the new owners seemed dead set on bringing back The Crown to what it had once been. Construction crews had started the day after the sale and had been around since. Working at one end of the resort, slowly fixing it up. Not enough to make a difference just yet, but if they really kept it up, I could see The Crown being better than ever.
Not that I planned on staying that long.
I knew having two people in a department they could dissolve wouldn’t last much longer. It wasn’t personal, just business. Olive and I worked nights. I’d done it for a long time. It got a little easier after I graduated. But since I didn’t have family or a whole bunch of friends, my days were a little lonely.
I’d heard coloring was relaxing, but when I couldn’t find something I enjoyed coloring, I’d started to design pages of things I would want to color. By accident, it had turned into something after I’d showed Olive. She’d seen them and encouraged me into trying to sell them.
I’d been shocked when downloadable sheets started to sell. After that, I’d put them together into books and found a way to get them printed, and it all snowballed after that. I wasn’t earning a lot, but every month, I made a little more. Not enough to quit my job, or at least not yet, but I was impressed and proud of how my small business had grown and the nest egg I had saved. It wasn’t much, but something I had started on a whim had flourished into something I was hoping to be able to do full-time.
At the very least, it was a side hustle that could help keep me afloat if I lost my job and had to find something else.
My lip wobbled, and I shook away the tears that threatened to make their way down my cheeks at the thought of not being at The Crown on a regular basis. This had been my safe haven for so long. Stan had given me a makeshift family of cooks and housekeepers and receptionists and landscapers who would never know exactly how much of a difference they made in my life when I landed here.
Maybe it’s why I am so loyal to the place?
It wasn’t like I hadn’t been offered a job at other places. Olive had mentioned on countless occasions that if I wanted to quit, her brother would hire me in a hot second at his new brewery and grill. But then again, Olive was a sweetheart.
“So, that’s why I think something is going on with Cora and Jack. Not that she’s going to admit it.” She shrugged, and I blinked hoping that I had caught enough to not get caught having drifted off in my thoughts. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?” she asked, obviously amused and not in the least offended.
“I’m sorry.” I shook my head. “I came for a massage yesterday, and I’ve been in la-la land since,” I admitted as I headed towards the towels to get those tackled first.
“Oh, that’s right! How was that? Are the spa rooms really as gross as people say they are?” She stuck her tongue out adorably.
“Oh my god!” I laughed. “No! I mean, the room I was in was okay. Clean. Nothing a little paint and some TLC couldn’t fix.”
“I heard the big guy was out and about here yesterday. Did you see him?” she asked, and I shook my head.
The big guy, or the Storm brother who was in charge, was usually here, but from what I heard, he hardly left his office. But when he did? The rumors flew!
“Well, I guess he was late to meet with the construction crew that is in charge of updating the rooms in the west wing of the resort.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t order to get it demolished,” I noted, and she nodded. The last owners had started to do that in that wing and had left that side of the building in shambles.
“I know! I thought the same thing when I heard about the sale, but I guess he wants to renovate it. Heather in admin thinks this place is special to him for some reason or another.”
“If it’s that special, why is he so mean to everyone around here?” I wondered out loud.
“Right? So, like I was saying, Julia in accounting was there, because you know how she likes to have lunch by the lake?” I nodded, and Oli kept sharing, “Anyhow, she said he and the foreman got into it and it was ugly. Storm looked pissed. Oh! And get this! Mister Better-Than-Everyone was wearing one of our uniform shirts!” She started to giggle.
“Really?” My lips twitched. That shocked me. I had never seen the guy, but from what everyone said, the man wore nothing but designer suits. There was a running joke that he probably slept in a suit and didn’t own a pair of jeans.
I glanced down at my own shirt. It wasn’t the nicest we’d had in the past. With every new owner, the quality of our uniforms had downgraded. They were cheap and not well made. I’d already had to sew the seam at the underarm once since I got this one, and it had just been two months.
“Maybe it’s the scratchy material that set his highness off?” I joked and shrugged. “I just hope they were able to square things away. The sooner those rooms get fixed up, the sooner we can start to offer them and the family suites at that end. Those were always the ones people would book first during the summer because they’re so close to the lake.”
“Those were nice.” Oli nodded. “I remember my parents had us stay here for a spring break when I was in middle school. It was so much fun!” She shook her head and sighed, moving to the bedding. “But the massage itself? It was nice?”
“Yeah, really relaxing.” I smiled thinking about Car again, half tempted to book another massage just to have him touch my body again.
“That’s good! You deserve it! You work too much.”
“I work too much?” I shot her a look, and she sassily rolled her eyes. We both knew she worked nonstop. She shrugged and grinned.
“I’m almost at my goal,” she shared, starting two of the washing machines she had been working on loading. “If everything goes as planned, I will be resigning in June,” she whispered.
“June!” I smiled, happy for her. “That’s incredible!” June felt like it was right around the corner.
Olive was a seriously talented baker. She had been saving to open a bakery forever now. She not only baked from the moment she got home from out shift here but also had a weekly booth at a farmer’s market in town on Thursdays and was the one who supplied cookies, pies, and cupcakes to the Moonlit Diner all week long.
“June will be here in no time.”
“Yeah.” She smiled and then chewed on her bottom lip. “You know, I will need someone to work with me,” she started to say, but I knew exactly where this was going.
“Oli,” I sighed, and she put her hands out.
“I know! But if you wanted to work with me…” She shrugged, leaving the unspoken offer hanging between us.
“Thanks! That’s sweet, but I like it here. It’s peaceful. Not to mention the lake and the grounds inspire pages I design,” I shared. She made a face. I knew she understood but didn’t like it.
“But just in case the Storms decide our department isn’t necessary?—“
“I know,” I cut in. And I did.
I wasn’t na?ve.
I’d had a feeling my time at The Crown was coming to an end for a while. I had no idea why, but for some reason, since it had sold to the Storm family, I couldn’t shake off the feeling. The door to the laundry room opened, and we turned to see a frazzled Stan waiting there.
“Stan?” Oli called, and I watched him make a face.
“Hey, girls!”
“What’s wrong?” I asked. I’d known Stan for a long time.
“The sky is falling.” He huffed dramatically. “I know you guys are busy here, but I need one of you to move into housekeeping.”
“What?” Oli frowned.
“Just for tonight.” He put his hands up. “I know it’s shit but…” Stan shook his head, “I had to fire Dalia. She was stealing.”
Dalia had been bad news since day one. But like I said, our grouchy manager had a soft spot and tried to help where he could. For whatever reason, he’d thought he could help Dalia when we all knew it was pointless. Nine out of ten times, she came in high as a kite, and if she wasn’t, her purse looked heavier and fuller than when she’d started her shift.
Oli and I glanced at one another, but we didn’t say a word. I could tell by the look on her face she didn’t want to do it, so I shrugged and spoke up.
“I’ll do it,” I said to Stan, whose shoulders sagged with relief.
“Thanks, kid. When it’s slow, I’ll come in here and help Oli however I can.”
“You don’t have to—“ Olive started to say, but I cut her off with a wink.
“Don’t worry about that, Stan. I got it.”
“She likes to hide in here,” Stan muttered and glared playfully in my direction. “If she didn’t, she would have worked her little behind up to my position by now,” he teased. Both Oli and I rolled our eyes without any real attitude behind it.
Stan swore up and down I would be the perfect fit for a higher position, but I genuinely liked working in the laundry room. Not only did I work nights, I didn’t have to deal with rude guests, or worse, higher management.
“I got this,” Olive said, taking the towels from my hands.
“I’ll try and steal you some chocolate chip cookies from the kitchen,” I said, and Stan shook his head.
“I didn’t hear that,” he grumbled, and we both laughed. I waved at her before exiting the laundry area and walking into the main area of the resort.
“How many rooms do you want me to take care of?”
“It’s only four of them tonight.”
“That’s not too bad.” I sighed, wondering why he hadn’t just helped Bertie, the other housekeeper on shift.
“It’s not, it’s just…” He stopped, and I did, too, staring up at him. Stan had just turned sixty and still had a full head of white hair. “Look, kid, two of the rooms?”
“Yeah?”
“They’re the head honchos’.”
“What?”
“The Storms’. The two who are working here are both staying off in the east wing.”
“The one that’s all torn apart?” I asked, seriously shocked by hearing that.
“That’s what I said.” He shook his head. “Heck, they could have taken the penthouses, and no one would have batted an eye.”
“Wow…” I kept up with him. “I didn’t even know rooms in that area were livable.”
“There are a few. But listen, kid, Harris is okay, quiet and shy. Polite.”
“He’s the one in human resources?” I guessed.
“That’s the guy,” he confirmed. Then his expression changed. “His brother, well, Mr. Storm is a little tougher, rougher around the edges, but I’m sure you’ve heard about that.” Stanley knew just how quickly rumors flew through the staff. “I would have helped Bertie, but I don’t want those fuckers anywhere near her. She’s slow and?—“
“I get it.” I gently reached for his hand. Stan’s clear green gaze connected with mine.
“She only has two more months before she can retire,” he shared, and I nodded. Bertie, like Stan, had been here a long time. They were an institution that kept this place going. “I don’t want one of them getting pissed and firing her because she doesn’t move as quickly. Her knee’s been bugging her.”
“You don’t have to explain, Stan.” I smiled gently. “I got it.”
“They’re out right now. The two of them went to meet up with the guys at the new brewery Oli’s brother opened. Something about maybe selling their beer at the chalet and restaurant here.”
“Well, at least they spend money locally.” I shrugged, and he nodded. “That would be a great deal for the guys at the brewery, if they can swing it.”
“If you wanna get started there so you’re done before they return, that would help me out a lot.”
“What about tomorrow?” I asked, and he sighed.
“I’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure, but in case you don’t have some kind of super hiring power, I can help, too.”
“What about laundry and everything you guys get done in there?”
“Do we have a lot of reservations?” I asked. He nodded, almost sad by it.
“Unfortunately, we do. Can you believe it? We’re fully booked.”
“Hey, that’s a good thing.” I winked. “I’ll come in early.” I shrugged.
“Max,” he groaned, “What about your coloring stuff?”
“That’s the great thing about being your own boss, Stan. You make your own hours.”
“You’re a good kid, you know that, right?” His voice got scratchy before he cleared it.
“Yeah, if I ever doubt it, you’ll remind me,” I teased, and he rolled his eyes. Our little bonding moment was obviously over.
We hurried in straight to where housekeeping kept their carts. After making sure it was fully stocked, I headed to the east wing.
It was creepier and a lot darker than the main area of the resort. Thankfully, I’d brought my headphones with me. Music always made work go by faster. With my air pods in my ears and Chapell Roan singing, I quickly finished one room. It had been shockingly spotless. Even so, I’d changed out the bedding and towels.
The other room, though, was a little messier.
Not too bad and definitely not the worst I had ever seen, but still, the contrast was surprising. I started in the living area, making sure to pick up all the old take-out containers and water bottles. By the looks of it, whatever brother’s room this was, was definitely a workaholic.
Files and a dual monitor setup cluttered the small desk the room provided with about a million empty mugs sitting next to it. I could picture a man sitting there, working long hours while drinking endless coffee.
I wondered how long it had been since Bertie or Dalia had been in there to take care of the room. I walked into the bedroom, and that first breath I took made me stop in my tracks. The scent was oddly familiar. It smelled expensive and manly. Manly? The word made me think of the masseuse.
Car. I smirked, wondering if I should try to walk around the spa area to see if he was around. I usually went there anyhow to make the coffee before the end of my shift. I snorted at myself. I was being silly. One little massage, and I was smitten like a kitten with some guy who barely said ten words to me. I was a little ridiculous. I changed the bedding and moved into the bathroom. I had just finished cleaning the shower when I heard the door open.
“Shit,” I swore under my breath. “Sorry, sir, I will be out of here before you know it,” I called out and got a grunt in response.
I hurried out of the bathroom, the towels blocking my face, and shoved them into the cart. “Thank you,” his deep voice sounded, but I didn’t turn around to look at him. I simply rushed to push the cart to the door and got out of there as quickly as possible.