It's Complicated: A Reservations Story

Out of his peripheral vision, he caught the bellhops pulling the carts loaded with boxes and equipment down a long hall, seemingly without being told where they needed to go.

“Yes. We’ll have the conference room prepared to your specifications tonight. They’ll secure your boxes until it’s time to put them inside the room.” She pivoted and turned to walk to the front desk. He looked over his shoulder at the single remaining bellhop who stood about four feet away with all his personal luggage. Beckett barely refrained from rolling his eyes at the sight of that cart loaded from top to bottom. Ridiculous. His normal luggage load consisted of a single duffel bag he tossed over his shoulders and that wasn’t ever full.

Beckett’s cheeks flushed as he followed her. He had to keep his goals in mind and remember the Be Bold Initiative was as important to him as the classes he planned to teach this week. Jeannie went around the front desk to check him in on a computer.

“Let’s see, Mr. St. Clair. You have a salon appointment scheduled for a haircut in the next hour.” She continued staring at the screen as she said, “It seems we have an opening for a massage. Would that interest you?”

Her gaze lifted to his, waiting for his answer.

“I’ll pass on the massage.” He reached for his wallet in his back pocket and pulled a credit card free, handing it over the desk.

“Not necessary, sir. We know how to find you.” She grinned broadly at the joke as she worked behind the desk, preparing a small folder of information. “We’ve arranged for you to have the same room every month when you come back for your training sessions at Escape. If there’s something not quite to your liking, please let us know. We’ve given you a suite close to the meeting rooms at the conference center. It’s a bit of a walk from here, but there’s a valet at the southern entrance door, and that’ll be a much closer walk for you.”

An Escape Coronado logoed folder slid across the counter as she continued her introduction. “We’ve also assigned a personal assistant to you, available as you need. Their contact information is inside the folder. They’ll be responsible for setting up the training rooms, for the lunch boxes you’re providing your attendees, and whatever else you need. We’re happy to help, day or night.” She flipped open the folder to an attached card on the inside flap.

He reached for the access code to the room, tucking it inside his wallet. “Will this always be my room and entry code?”

“Yes, sir,” she nodded happily, her ponytail bobbing behind her.

“This is an incredible place. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Beckett said, taking the folder as he looked back around the lobby again.

“I agree. Escape’s unique. It’s a great place to work.” She smiled as she came back around the counter, waiting at the end for him. She extended her hand to indicate the bellhop still waiting by the cart. “Tommy will show you the way to your room. If you need anything, call out the name Iris or assistant, and a hologram will lower from anywhere in your suite’s living room.”

“Thank you.” Beckett walked toward the bellhop, who grinned big and cocked his head to the side as he led the way down the same hall the others had taken. He followed, taking in all the intricate details of the hotel as they went. The artwork alone looked designed specifically for the hotel and blended every inch of space together. At the first bank of elevators, Beckett turned in a complete circle, staring up at the detailed design of a dome.

“Beckett St. Clair?”

Tension automatically tightened his shoulders. He’d know that voice anywhere. He rolled his shoulders to help loosen the suddenly tight muscles and looked over to see Thane Walker taking long strides in his direction. Thane carried a superior attitude. Maybe not with everyone, but definitely with Beckett. Thane looked Beckett up and down as he approached. Judgment evident with the way he lingered over Beckett’s scuffed work boots and well-worn blue jeans he’d chosen to travel in.

“I wasn’t sure it was you.”

Beckett had to force himself to stick out a hand to shake Thane’s. “We’re heading to my room. Good to see you.”

He tilted his head toward the bellhop who came to a stop several feet away. Beckett went to the side of his cart, pushing the elevator call button again, wanting Thane to take the hint and move on.

Of course, he didn’t leave, but Beckett never looked back.

“Did we finalize dinner plans?” Thane asked.

Fuck. He tried to decide whether they had enough distance between them that he could pretend he hadn’t heard Thane’s question.

There wasn’t. Beckett rolled his shoulders again and turned, twisting his upper body only. He reached a hand around the pole of the cart, gripping it tight. Thane closed the gap between them as if Beckett had extended an invitation. He didn’t move one solitary step toward Thane, making the other man cover the distance.