The Holiday Switch(15)

Then my jaw drops.

The room explodes with conversation and clapping. The names of the two lead actors in the Holiday by the Lake film scatter in the air like glitter. I press my hands against my mouth and turn to KC, who is on his feet.

    “Okay, okay, settle down, everyone.” Ms. Velasco gestures for everyone to sit, though she’s now standing, hands on her hips. “I know. It’s pretty amazing. I didn’t want to give everyone false hope before it was confirmed, but since this year is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the film’s release, I thought why not try to get to the actors themselves? This is the culmination of months of work. Our team hassled and hustled. And now I’m so proud to present New Year’s Eve by the Lake.”

The lights dim to the dull roar of surprise. The inn supervisors move in coordination: one turns on the gift shop televisions, another flips up a laptop. The film’s theme song pipes through the surround-sound speakers.

The room erupts in applause once more. My skin prickles with goose bumps.

Never have I looked forward to a PowerPoint presentation more.

Instinctively, I turn to gauge other people’s reactions, to see if they’re feeling the surge of emotions, too, when I meet Teddy’s intense gaze. It’s searing, and not full of the rest of the employees’ joy and surprise.

Ms. Velasco’s voice draws my attention to the front, though I can’t get Teddy’s expression out of my mind. For someone who’s part of the family, he should be thrilled for this great news.

“New Year’s Eve is a mere thirteen days away,” she says. “Thirteen. But it was either New Year’s Eve or never—these actors are busy and booked well out in advance, and it was by pure luck that one of my contacts pulled through. To be honest, I’m not worried about marketing or advertising. With our reach, this place will be packed. But here’s the deal—we need to be ready for it.” She clicks through to the slideshow, which covers everything, from schedules to work expectations, to inventory, decor, the general schedule of events, and ticket sales. There’s a slide explaining the lottery for employees who want to work the event, and twice as much staff will be scheduled the day of.

    Ms. Velasco pauses to sip water from a bottle. “There’s a lot to be done from now until then. Everything is wonderful, don’t get me wrong. You all do a magnificent job each and every day. But with some media descending on us when the actors arrive, as well as a bigger crowd than we usually expect in December, we have to discuss the inevitable: preparation and exposure.” She lifts a piece of paper. “A cheat sheet. On the Inn’s mission and history, et cetera, just in case people ask. Some of you already have this memorized. Others, on the other hand…”

Snickering filters through the crowd. KC pretend-covers his face, and I laugh.

“Everyone chosen to work the event must also read the book or watch the film before New Year’s. We want you up to speed around the mega-fans as well as the actors.”

It dawns on me then. Oh my God, Oscar nominees will be walking through our front doors in just thirteen days.

I don’t take a cheat sheet and pass the stack to the row behind me. “Remy Castillo,” I whisper to KC. “I can’t believe it. Do you know that she’s Filipino American?”

KC laughs. “Yes, Lila. You’ve only told me about a hundred times.”

“Well this is a hundred and one. And did you know that—”

    “That the author insisted that Remy was cast because she was also Fil-Am.” He laughs. “You’re liable to pass out when you meet Remy.”

“I’m going to be a mess.”

And, just like that, my exhaustion is nowhere to be found.



* * *





After the staff meeting, Ms. Velasco surprises all of us with treats from Jolly Cupcakes, Holly’s specialty cupcake shop. When the tray is passed to me, the peppermint red velvet is still up for grabs. It’s to die for; it tastes like the holidays, like snow and candy canes and a roaring fire, all in one. As the flavors blend on my tongue, I imagine what it will be like to meet Remy Castillo.

The front double doors will fly open, snow swirling in her wake, her dark hair blowing backward. Her face will be flawless, and though she’s as old as my mother—literally two months and three days older—Remy’s going to be wearing those iconic high-heeled boots from the film she shot a year after Holiday by the Lake called The Fire Among Us, where she played a Latina dancer.

“Earth to Lila.” A hand waves in front of my eyes. I blink, and KC comes into view.

“Sorry, what?”

He nods toward the side of the room before peeling off the bottom of his mocha strawberry cupcake. “Ms. Velasco’s been sneaking glances your way.”

“She is?” I look beyond the crowd milling in the library area. Teddy’s standing next to her. Ms. Velasco waves me over. “Yep, she is.”

    “Do you know what you’re going to say about the training?”

“Nope.”

“You’ve got about fifteen steps before you figure it out.”

I heave a breath and head over. Weaving my way through my coworkers, my heart speeds up. Work more hours and deal with Teddy? Or try to pick up some odd jobs elsewhere for less money and keep some of my dignity?