Page 18 of Holiday Hook-Up
“It’s nothing interesting. I don’t want to bore you.” With her eyes cast down, she popped a bite into her mouth. I hated the dismissive way she spoke about herself. Someone, somewhere had given her the idea that she didn’t have anything important to say. That was bullshit. I knew how that felt and the power behind claiming your voice.
I reached out and tipped her chin up. “Emerald. You could never bore me. We’re going to spend two weeks working together. I want to know more about you.”
Her eyes grew as wide as saucers as she blinked at me. “Okay. But I promise you it’s not that exciting.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I said. She explained how she was in her senior year at Moosic Mountain College, majoring in tourism management. How Gary had hired her for a paid internship a few months ago, and her future is riding on his interview with her advisor after the new year. As she spoke, she twirled her hair around her finger, measuring each word carefully.
“I think I’ve always been drawn to the tourism industry, ever since I was a kid. I’d lay in bed and create dream vacations in my head picturing each detail down to the color of the walls in my hotel rooms. I want to help make dreams come true. It’s silly, I know, and I’ve learned the industry isn’t nearly as glamorous as all that, but when I look into a guest’s eyes and see that they’re truly happy and making memories, it fills my soul.”
Goosebumps trailed down my arms. I don’t think I’d ever been as passionate about a single thing in my life as Emerald was about her goals. Sure, I wanted to be the extreme opposite of my father and make Connor Industries my own. But did it fill my soul to be doing what I was doing?
“You’re amazing. The conviction you have to follow your dreams inspires the hell out of me.” She smiled, showing off her sparkling white teeth. My career may not fill my soul but I know seeing Emerald smile does something to my chest. I knew I wanted to do all I could to keep that smile on her face.
We finished up, and as Emerald left to use the restroom I waited by the kitchen entrance for our waitress. She pushed through the door, holding a plate of chicken fingers, which almost went flying when she saw me standing there.
“Oh hot damn, you scared me. Is everything alright? Can I get you something?” Her words tumbled out.
“No, we’re fine. Thank you for working so hard.” I noticed her nametag,Mary, and slipped a folding up stack of bills into her empty hand, five hundred dollars to be exact. “Merry Christmas, Mary.”
She slipped the cash into her apron pocket without looking at it, thanked me with a smile, and hurried along to drop off the plate to a nearby table. I rubbed my hands together, grinning from ear to ear. Maybe this was what filled my soul, Emerald’s equivalent of making guests happy.
I walked outside and breathed in the crisp, cool air taking in the streetlights wrapped in evergreen and the sounds of jingle bells coming from a nearby shop. A magical feeling hung in the air, like anything could happen.
The door jingled behind me and I turned to see Emerald walking toward me. She shivered and pulled her coat closed. “I forgot to ask, where is this meeting?”
Emerald, you’re in for a Christmas surprise.
Chapter 8
Emmy
From: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, Dec 24 at 11:48 AM
Subject: Spill the tea
Emmy,
I heard you’re working with the owner! All of us in housekeeping have been trying to get a glimpse of him, but the man moves around like a ghost. Girl! Spill the tea. Is he as hot as Paula said? We’re dying here.
-Mel
Alifestyleclubwasthe last place I’d think we were going. Logan looked almost shy as he told me about it on the way over. I wasn’t a prude by any means, but I had no idea what was waiting beyond the front doors.
The parking lot was vacant as our driver pulled up in front of the building. I’m not sure what I was expecting it to look like from the outside but seeing its black exterior walls and darkened windows gave me the impression that we were walking into a haunted house. I shivered, garnering a sideways glance from Logan.
“You cold? Here, take my gloves.” He slid off his leather gloves one at a time and folded them into my hands. I didn’t argue. I was learning quickly that when Logan Connor wanted to take care of you, he didn’t take no for an answer.
“Thanks.” I pocketed them as we reached the front door.
Logan appraised the entrance, likely noting changes that would need to be made. The place could use some freshening up. A coat of paint, some new lighting… I made a mental list, hoping I’d remember by the time I could sit and jot it all down.
We’d barely made it past the entrance when a man greeted us. He had a stocky build and a receding hairline, slicked back and shiny with hair gel. His blue button-down shirt looked dangerously close to popping a few buttons. Whoever he was, he seemed comfortable in the empty place and greeted us with a wide grin.
“Mr. Connor, I presume? Come on in, take a peek at your new club.” His booming voice echoed through the space.
