Page 14 of F*ck Steal Kill

“Did you tell Joy?” I asked as we moved on to the next room.

“Tell me what?” Joy chirped, smacking my butt.

“Here. It’s easier if you read it.” I handed her my phone, and the app opened to the message. Lacey and I knocked on the next door. It surprised me when it opened a crack, and a cute guy was standing there. His dark hair was ruffled, his emerald eyes wide as he stared at me.

“Housekeeping. Do you need anything? We can come back later if it’s a bad time,” I offered, stepping back to move on to the next room since most people dismissed us.

“Wait!” he said, shutting the door to unlock it before opening it wider. Lacey and Joy gave me a knowing look, wiggling their eyebrows before stepping to the side.

“Yes?” I asked, smiling.

The door opened, and he came into full view. He had on a graphic tee, flannel shirt, and dark jeans with holes in the knees. His brown hair was messy, sweeping down into his eyes a little. He gave a little smile, the sweetness of it catching me by surprise. He was one of the men I’d spotted in the lobby yesterday. One I’d been drawn to.

“Oh, um, could we get some extra towels?” he asked, fidgeting.

“Absolutely.” Smiling, I reached down and grabbed a stack of towels, pulling a few of the shampoos and soaps as well. “Here you go,” I said, turning to give them to him.

In my exuberance, the soaps tilted, sliding off the cotton. Moving forward, I attempted to grab them with my other hand, shifting my weight. The cute guy seemed to have the same idea, and we bumped heads, causing the entire stack of towels and soaps all to topple to the ground.

“Shit, I’m so sorry. I was trying to help,” he said, rubbing his head. “Are you okay?” he asked, leaning forward.

We’d both crouched down in the exchange, our bodies imperceptibly closer at this angle. His hand brushed against my temple where we’d bumped, his fingers soft against my skin. It was electrifying, sending sparks through me at his gentle care.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, something weird coming over me. I felt more shy and unbalanced in his presence than I had in years, and I didn’t know why.

We stared at one another, our eyes locked in a battle I wasn’t sure how to win.

“You okay there, Holland?” Lacey asked, stepping back toward the cart from the other room. Her voice broke whatever spell we’d fallen under. I cleared my throat, blinking as I stood.

“Yeah, just dropped something.”

The cute guy stood slower, a little more on edge now that Lacey was here. I didn’t like it for some reason. Was he suspicious of us, or was he hiding something he didn’t want her to know? Either way, it was curious and something I needed to remember.

“Let’s try this again. Here are the towels and a few extras,” I said, smiling, though it didn’t reach my eyes this time.

“Thanks… Holland, was it?” he asked.

I nodded, casting my eyes to Lacey. She winced, throwing her hands up as she backed away so she wouldn’t accidentally give any other info away.

“Yeah. And you are?” I figured if he got to know my name, then I should know his.

“Max.” His whole face lit up as he grinned at me, his green eyes twinkling. I liked how the edges of his eyes crinkled, a sign of a lot of smiling. I didn’t know what it felt like to smile that much, to be that carefree with my grins.

“Well, Max, maybe I’ll see you around if you’re here for a while.” I winked, turning back to the cart. As I pushed it to the next room, I couldn’t help but put a little extra sway into my step, shaking my butt.

“I’d like that,” he called after.

I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back, finding him partially in the hall as he watched me. His eyes met mine, making me think he’d been looking at me, and not my butt. Huh.

Giving him a little finger wave, I headed through the propped door of the next room, needing some space between me and the sweet guy who unraveled me with a smile.

Leaning against the wall of the next room, I took a few minutes to breathe, wanting to cool my cheeks before I faced my friends. Not that it mattered, since they immediately started teasing me as I entered the Frozen Tundra, otherwise known as the Viking suite.

“Oooh, someone has a crush,” Joy sang as she made the bed.

“He’s cute in that boy-next-door kind of way,” Lacey added. “Is he getting added to the list?” She lifted her eyebrow, waiting for me to respond.

I shrugged, picking up the discarded towels and trash. I went about my job, refilling things as I thought about what she’d asked and how I couldn’t answer.

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