Page 2 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

“Hey Kayla, room fourteen is going to need extra towels,” I say as I walk up to her. She doesn’t respond to me anymore, but talking to her is second nature and makes me feel like I still have a place here. “Bob and Martha are getting freaky again, and I don’t think they’re aware they left the door open.”

She continues to stare at her computer, fingers clacking away at the keyboard. The front door suddenly opens and she looks up, suddenly flustered.

“H-Hi Mr. Covington. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you tonight,” she stammers. Covington. Oh my god, is this the owner of the manor? I quickly turn towards the door and gasp when I see Mr. I’m definitely not old enough to own a manor Covington walk through the door. Hmm. Maybe a son? He closes his umbrella and sticks it in a rack by the front door before shaking out his long, shoulder length, wavy brown hair with a hand and walking up to the front desk. When had it started raining?

Standing there like a snack on very long legs, he starts unbuttoning his peacoat. Even damp from the rain, he’s one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen. He looks like he could be in his mid-twenties, just a few years older than my twenty if I had to guess.

I watch him closely as he sets his coat down and leans his forearms on front desk, no doubt expecting Kayla to take it and hang it up behind the desk. Outwardly he looks calm, but the way he moves betrays the tension in his body. Suddenly I want to know everything about this boy.

“Good evening, Kayla. And please, call me Jake. As I’ve told you many times.” He says it with a sharp smile that I’m not quite sure is friendly. He’s wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just under his elbows, revealing lean but muscled forearms. Damn nice. I’m practically drooling.

“Is my room available?” he asks.

“Yep, room three has been untouched, as requested.” Did her voice just go up an octave? She slides the key over to him, and he pockets it.

“Perfect.”

“Is everything okay? Normally you call ahead. Not that I’m complaining. Or anything. I was just surprised to see you.” She bites her lip and practically bats her lashes at him. Good lord, the woman could not be more obvious.

“Long story. Has anyone called tonight? My father?” He taps his fingers on the desk nervously. Why is he so nervous?

“No, it’s been quiet. We have a guest due to check in any time now, but that’s it.”

“That was my reservation. Sorry about that, I didn’t want my father to know I was coming up here.”

“Oh okay, no worries. Do I need to move the car for you?”

“I took a taxi. Can you do me a favor?” He runs a hand through his hair again.

“Of course,” she whispers, almost breathless.

“If my father comes looking for me, can you tell him I’m not here?”

She nods enthusiastically. “I can do that for you.”

“Thanks.” He gives her a small smile and heads towards the west wing. I watch him leave, appreciating the way his jeans hug his body. I look over at Kayla, who’s doing the same. She has a faint blush on her cheeks and if she could hear me, I’d tease her about it.

Jake’s a hottie, there’s no denying that. About six feet tall, with piercing blue eyes that complement pale skin. I guess Jake isn’t a fan of long walks on the beach. He looks like a sexy vampire. A lean but strong vampire that could toss me around the room with ease.

I lean an elbow on the desk and lay my head in my hand. “I get it Kayla,” I say. She’s back to clacking away on her keyboard. I’m still watching Kayla work when the new cleaning lady walks up, apparently done with her cleaning for the day.

“Hi, Frankie. Everything done?” Kayla asks.

“Yep. Do you still need me for next week?” Frankie asks. Oh, this bitch is coming for my job. You’re dead idiot, you can’t clean, I remind myself.

“Now listen here Frankie, there’s only room for one cleaner at this hotel and that clearly isn’t–” I start to say but Kayla cuts me off.

“I think so,” she says with a frown. “Alex ghosted me, so I’ll need you on call for at least the next week, if you’re available.”

“I’m available. Text me when you need me!” the competition says as she walks out the door.

I look back at Kayla with a glare. “I ghosted you?” I say, indignant. “I bet you think you’re funny, huh? Anyway, I’m out of here. I’m going to see if Jake left his door open.”

***

Jake unfortunately did not leave his door open. I stand outside for a minute, listening to his muffled voice through the door. He must be on the phone with someone. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but he sounds distressed. As much as I want to sneak into his room, I don’t. Sometime later, he steps out into the hallway, frown on his face. He runs a hand through his hair, and I follow as he walks down the hall of the west wing and through the lobby.

“Damn your long legs, Jake,” I say as I struggle to keep up with him.