Chapter 4
Maya
“So, how are you feeling about being an escort?” Holly nudges me as I’m putting my items down on a bench in the staff locker room.
“Oh my gosh, don’t say that!” I whisper. “I am not an escort.”
Holly is unbothered and waves away my horror. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, but the rest of the world might get confused.” I look around to make sure no one is in ear shot.
Thankfully, our area appears to be empty.
I place my purse in my locker and hang up my coat.
My heart is racing out of my chest at Holly’s off-the-cuff comment.
I was already nervous for today. She is not helping.
Holly grins. “I’m just so excited for you! And, of course, I’m jealous. You get to hang out with a professional athlete all week. And if that’s not enough, you’re getting paid to do it!”
Holly is referring to my assignment. The reason management called me last week.
I wasn’t in trouble thankfully, but I’m also not sure that I’m happy about what they’re asking me to do.
Lauren Jones, head of Mynt PR and marketing, said that Mr. Mynt needs me to do a special job during the Mynt charity event.
Her exact words were: “We have a new Mynt athlete who may be…hesitant. He’s more of an introvert you could say.
We need you to show him around, bring him to the events and make him comfortable. ”
You can imagine that I had a lot of questions.
However, Lauren only gave me vague answers.
I was able to get the athlete’s name and sport.
After that, she was tight-lipped and said that I was not allowed to tell anyone about our arrangement until arrival day, for confidentiality and security reasons.
Holly did not take my secrecy well. I might have slipped and told her a bit—what I was going to have to do and that the athlete is male—but I did not reveal who the athlete was. I impressed myself with my ability not to crack under Holly’s excruciating pestering.
Sitting on the bench, Holly crosses her legs, about to burst at the seams. “So…tell me already! Who’s the athlete? What sport does he play? And most importantly, how hot is he?”
I exhale, trying not to fall under her spell of excitement. I, of course, searched the name of the athlete on Instagram, but other than his photos from his professional events, there was shockingly little information about him on his profile.
“Earth to Maya…” Holly waves her hands in front of me.
I sit down on the bench next to her. “His name is Eddie Evans. He’s a tennis player.”
“Ooh a tennis player!” Holly leans in as I show her a photo on my phone. “Whoa, he’s cute! Is he single? If so, you guys would make an adorable couple. I can see it now, vacationing in Europe, you on the sidelines—”
“Okay!” I stand. “You are getting so far ahead of yourself. I know nothing about this guy other than he’s a pro tennis player.
I gathered that he was having a good year, but he’s been dealing with an injury.
I was tempted to dive into a Google search, but I started getting freaked out, so I stopped. ”
“What freaked you out?” Holly looks at me confused.
“This guy is a professional athlete. I work in guest services at a resort. I don’t need the internet to tell me that we live in different worlds.
Plus, something seems a little off. Lauren said that he’s ‘hesitant’ about coming.
” I use air quotes. My stomach starts to tighten into a knot, so I sit down on the bench.
“Ever since the incident with that crazy husband…I can’t help but worry it’s gonna happen again. ”
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 with guests, 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.”
I nod in agreement.
“Well, thank you. That’s very kind.” Roger smiles at me again before saying, “Would you like to go meet Eddie? I know the Mingling and Jingling is supposed to start soon.”
“Yes, I’d love to meet him!” My response is full of more enthusiasm than I feel.
Truthfully, I’m nervous to meet Eddie Evans.
Something about this whole arrangement feels odd.
I’ve seen guest services provide hosts before, but this situation feels different.
I doubt we have enough staff to give each athlete their own private host. Why does Mr. Evans need one?
I don’t have time to think more about it though because Roger quickly says, “Off we go then, to meet the man of the hour!”
Before we can get out the door, Lauren says, “Oh, and Roger, don’t forget about the interview.”
Roger nods and swallows. “Right, the interview.”
Hmm. More weird vibes. I want to ask what the interview is, but I don’t want to be nosy. I follow Roger to the elevator, where he taps the button for floor 5. My stomach is doing flip-flops. I take a deep breath to calm myself.
Roger must notice my unease because he says, “Eddie is a great guy. He can be a little on the quiet side. Some might describe him as…brooding, we’ll say. But, once you get to know him, he’s great.”
That was an interesting description. Why do I feel like he’s selling me something that I don’t want to buy?
I nod with a closed-mouth smile and attempt to pump myself up. This is my job. It’s just a week. You can do anything for one week. And as everyone keeps saying, it might be great.
We arrive at the door and Roger knocks. My mind is racing. Who is Eddie Evans, the mysterious guest in suite 508?