LITMIR.BIZ

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poor man was desperate to save his job, Stephanie realized. He’d do just about anything, short of posing on a platter with an apple in his mouth. He’d been trained in the food and beverage area of the hotel before his promotions, she’d learned, so this was a logical and the most helpful place for him to stay all day.

      Out in the dining room, a man in a golf cap complained at the self-service concept. His grumbling was nearly as loud as the print on his Hawaiian shirt.

      “A buffet? Give me a frigging break. I’m paying good money to have a waiter carry my food to the table. Didn’t the rest of you?”

      A few guests averted their gaze, too polite to engage him. But some others started ranting, too.

      Not even nine o’clock and she was facing a mutiny.

      Drury rushed around, playing waiter in an attempt to placate them. Stephanie ran over and poured out coffee. Then talked up the freebies that would be available today in all parts of the hotel—free tennis lessons, sailboats, Jet Skis and down in the spa, massages, facials and aromatherapy.

      The frowns soon turned to smiles while Stephanie made a mental note to have a huge sign posting the free services placed at the front desk—giving second thoughts to anyone trying to check out.

      The rebellion had been quelled. Momentarily. Stephanie sighed, her body sagging with relief. Would she ever manage to last the day?

      “How are you doing, Stephanie? Everything under control?”

      Matt’s voice put her on instant alert. She felt as if he’d just materialized beside her out of thin air. Like a character on Star Trek.

      She stood up tall and forced a smile. “So far, so good. We got the breakfast service going and the complimentary spa treatments and water sports vouchers seem to be working.”

      “Yes, a great idea. That should help.” Matt was dressed in fresh clothes, she noticed. A blue shirt, black pants and a charcoal-gray linen jacket and silk tie. His crisp attire made her feel even more crumpled. She made a mental note to check out the resort shops at some point, if she could.

      As good as he looked in his outfit, she couldn’t help but remember what was underneath….

      “Up early?”

      “Um…yes. I was. I got up early and headed right over here.”

      Liar, liar. Pants on fire, she chided herself.

      “Really? What a shame. It was a beautiful morning. You should have taken a few minutes out on your patio. To check out the view.”

      Stephanie felt her cheeks flame, but forced herself to keep a calm expression.

      He knew. He just enjoyed playing games, didn’t he?

      She looked up and met his eye. “I was in a rush today. Maybe tomorrow morning,” she answered smoothly, “when I have more time to enjoy it.”

      His bland expression changed suddenly, looking surprised at her comeback.

      I grew up in Brooklyn, pal. I already warned you, she added silently.

      “I have some good news,” he said, changing the subject. “Some reinforcements from our hotels in Boca Raton and the Keys are flying in this morning to help out. You’re in charge of figuring out how to use them. I don’t even trust Drury to make toast, quite frankly,” Matt added, glancing over his shoulder.

      The assignment and authority he’d just given her was a great compliment. Stephanie felt honored…and overwhelmed, but tried to stay cool.

      “The priority right now is housekeeping. I guess I’ll put most of the helpers to work there and see how it goes.”

      “Good strategy. I’ll be in meetings with the union reps all day. If you need me, send a message and I’ll get back to you.” Matt smiled at her. “Good luck.”

      She smiled back, feeling suddenly close to him. “Good luck to you, too. I hope it goes well.”

      “Cross your fingers. The sooner we can sort this all out, the sooner we get to go back to New York.”

      Which couldn’t be soon enough for me, Stephanie thought. She forced a smile as he nodded and walked over to chat with Ben Drury. She couldn’t help but notice the women in the dining room, forks poised midway to their mouths as they checked Matt out.

      If the guests really get restless, we can always have Matt swim laps in the hotel pool. That will at least keep the ladies away from the checkout desk.

      Somewhat cheered by the news of more employees on the way, Stephanie headed for the lobby, her pad of strategy notes tucked under one arm. The assistant manager of accounting was manning the front desk. Stephanie was almost sure that Shirley Conrad didn’t have the foggiest idea of what she was doing, but at least she had shown up for work this morning and was trying her best.

      “How’s it going?” Stephanie asked her.

      “Pretty quiet. A few couples asked me about flights off the island today, but so far, nobody’s checked out early.”

      “I think they’re all still getting their fill of the free breakfast. Let’s hope all the carbs make them want to nap.”

      “If the pancakes don’t work, try some piña coladas.”

      “Excellent suggestion. Happy Hour may start a little early today. Like in about…fifteen minutes.”

      Shirley giggled. “Rev up the blenders. Anything for the cause.”

      “That’s the spirit.” Stephanie smiled as she slipped behind the desk to check the registration activity. The front desk had been quiet, just as Shirley reported. A good sign. Though it was still early yet.

      She heard the sound of arguing, more like low-level hissing and looked up to see a man and woman loaded down with suitcases, golf clubs and tote bags as they stumbled across the lobby.

      “Our first customers. Let’s see if we can get them to stay,” she whispered to Shirley.

      The two women ran out from behind the desk and approached the couple. “Here, let us help you with those bags,” Stephanie said smoothly. She grabbed a suitcase in each hand and soon had it placed on the bell cart Shirley rolled over.

      “We’re checking out. The reservation is under the name Ames, Harold and Alice. We were supposed to stay to Tuesday, but we’re checking out,” the man said belligerently. He dumped his golf clubs on the cart with a deafening rattle. “I have a good mind to ask for my money back on the days we spent here, too.”

      “Harold…please.” The woman tugged his sleeve. “It wasn’t that bad….”

      “Now you just let me handle this, Alice. I’m not paying for ‘not that bad.’ I’m paying for deluxe. And I certainly didn’t get it. Not once the help walked off.”

      “We came here for our anniversary. Thirty years,” the wife explained. Stephanie thought she saw the woman glance at her spouse and roll her eyes, which Stephanie read as the universal sign of disbelief that she’d lasted so long in her marriage.

      “Thirty years? Congratulations,” Stephanie crooned. “That’s really an achievement. If only we’d known you were celebrating such a big event, Mr. Ames. I would have been happy to upgrade you to one of our VIP suites. Very lovely. A private pool and Jacuzzi. Private beachfront, too. Did you get the champagne dinner or the his and hers massages at the spa?”

      She knew very well that Harold and Alice had not been given any of these perks and upgrades, and watched as Alice turned to her husband with a shocked expression.

      “Harold…a beachfront suite. Free massages…”

      “I heard. I heard.” He frowned, looking uncomfortable as he considered how foolish he might look, giving up his belligerent stance. “You’d do all that for us? Gratis, I mean?”

      Stephanie

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