Page 18 of Tasty Cherry

“Oh.”

“But there wasn’t any Mila who checked in. Or any Mila on the guest list.”

Oh, dear. “I bet not.”

“But you know what list came up with a Mila?”

I stare at my hands.

“Now, I’m not privy to what happened between you and Mr. Young. That’s not for me to know. But I know he’s a fair man. A man who listens. So you’re in good hands.”

I definitely was last night.

“Thank you, Bertie.”

“How about you get started on that intern work, and you and I push some carts to the back hall? Sound okay?”

I nod.

Might as well get this over with.

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.

---