My Summer Job

Chapter 1: Not So Suite Encounter

"Your room's on the third floor. Enjoy your stay, Ms Mathews." I smiled, handing over the key card to an impatient mother. Her little daughter was howling, tugging on her mother's leg.

Ms Matthew's offered me a weak smile, "I'll try."

Making her way to the elevator, she picked up the screaming toddler, murmuring to her quietly. The little girl nodded at something she said and perked up instantly.

There were a click clack of heels and I didn't need to look over the front reception desk to know who that belonged to.

"Avery, I need your help." My mum was all business. Dressed in an expensive suit, it wasn't a surprise that she was the owner of the Monterey Hotel & Resort. Her dyed honey blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, accentuating her sharp cheekbones. She clutched a white manila folder, her freshly manicured nails glinting in the bright light.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "What's wrong?"

"Carter called in last week. His father passed away."

"That's terrible."

Carter Milano was our resort lifeguard. He had been here for two years and was always smiling and whistling.

The best thing about the resort is that all the employees were invited to live on premises for the duration of the summer. In the hotel, there was a floor dedicated to employee guest rooms and a common dining area. That was one of the perks of working here.

"He's going to Italy to stay with his mother and won't be working for the next four weeks atleast - which is understandable." She opened a folder. "That's why I had to find someone to temporarily fill his position."

"He's coming in about," she checked her watch, "15 minutes. I want you to show him around the hotel and help him settle in."

Striding out of the revolving doors, I paced infront of the entrance, next to a large palm tree which swayed in the warm breeze. I aired the front of my blouse, an unladylike gesture but just trying to stop myself from sweating through my white blouse.

I checked my watch; it was now 9:31am and New Guy was officially late. He was exactly 31 minutes late to be precise. This was definitely not a good way to make a first impression. Luckily, my mum was occupied at reception that New Guy still had time to walk in without his lateness being noticed by her. But he had a strike in my book.

I tapped my heel impatiently, smoothing down my pencil skirt. Where the hell was he?

Finally, amid the families and couples coming and going, I spotted a young guy, about my age, eighteen, who carted a black suitcase coming out of a taxi. I couldn't see his eyes because he wore sunglasses but I could already tell he was good looking.

He had a solid jawline and his dark hair was artfully tousled like he had just woken up. Awfully cliche of him. Wearing a white tee that hinted at defined muscles underneath and emphasised his tan, it was easy to guess that he was the new lifeguard.

He approached me confidently, giving me a smile that would've made any other girl swoon and forget about his tardiness. I just stared at him blankly. Pretty privilege was not going to fly with me. He wheeled to a stop in front of me.

"If you're the new lifeguard, you're late," I commented bluntly, raising an eyebrow as I took him in.

His voice was deep and smooth. "Sorry, got caught up. You know how it is." He smirked and I rolled my eyes. His American accent surprised me and even sounded charming but when it came to guys, I was all but immune. At least I hoped I was.

"Follow me." I turned on my heel and walked through the revolving doors, the new guy sauntering behind me.

My mum was checking in a guest and didn't give us a second glance as we hurried past.