“Think it’s time to head back to your room, Royce? The bar is closed.” Holland jumps in, with a stern but still professional voice.
“Why? You two are still here.” Royce gestures to us, like a question, withhis cocktail, as he spills some on the floor.
Holland’s eyes follow the spill to the floor and then back up to Royce. “Yeah, we were just leaving. I’ll follow you out and lock the door behind you.” Holland gestures towards the door.
Surprisingly, Royce and Stacy do as Holland asks. Holland locks the door behind them and then comes back to the table.
He reaches his hand out to help me out of the booth, and I grab it. It doesn’t matter that my palms are sweaty and I’m a bit shaky.
Holland pulls me to my feet. His other hand steadies my waist as I stumble a bit getting out of the booth.
“You look like you could use some air.”
Chapter Thirteen
BEFORE I KNOW IT, we’re walking toward the hammocks and tree swings. My hand is in Holland’s and he’s gripping it tightly. Thankful is an understatement.
The lights used to decorate the event are still on and a few staff members are cleaning up the bar area and side tables. Chilled air nips at my skin. We get far enough away from the main building, right on the edge of where the NETworking event took place, before Holland brings up Royce.
“Wow. That guy was wrecked.” His voice has an edge to it.
“He was something,” I reply.
“Are you guys friends?” The question seems loaded.
I snort and immediately cover my mouth. My hand slaps my face and the sound makes Holland flinch.
“No. Not friends.” I reiterate using my hands. “Our companies work together.”
Holland nods in understanding. He stops next to a tree swing and asks me to wait a minute. I watch as he walks over to one of the staff and they have a quick chat. After a few seconds, he comes back to me.
“What’s going on?”
“I let them know they could head home after they pack up thebar. The hammocks and swings can stay. It’s supposed to be nice outside for the next few days. We’ll take them down later.” He says it with such ease. I know he said his family owns the lodge but it sounds likeheowns it. “It’s been an event-heavy week. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind leaving early.”
“Everyone loves going home early.” I think about how rarely this ever happens to me. Stella is always the last one at the office and has a bit of a problem managing her own work-life balance. She’s not aware of her employees’ balance most days. I can’t remember the last time I took a day off or went home early. Vacation is calling my name.
“Now, let’s get you on this swing.” He grabs the base of it and pulls it in front of me. Not sure what he’s getting at, my expression is one of confusion and questions. “I saw you earlier… standing in front of the swings, checking them out, before Royce started talking to you. It looked like you wanted to get on one. Now’s your chance.”
I choose not to address the part where he saw me at the event or how I like the thought of his eyes on me.
“These shoes, and the whole outfit, really aren’t meant for swinging.” I glance down at my heels, which have crossed into torture territory, and my midi skirt. While this is the perfect business outfit, it’s not meant for much swinging or movement in general.
“See, the cool part about shoes is that you can… wait for it… take them off,” he says as he takes off his own. “I’ll help you up.”
I look around and see that no one is paying attention to us. It’s just Holland, the twinkly lights, these empty swings, and me.
“I don’t know.” I hesitate.
“Baby steps. Why don’t you take your shoes off and set them over there?” He gestures to the space next to the swing. “And then I’ll help you up.”
Pausing for a second until I see Holland’s face, eager and hopeful, I finally take my shoes off. I let out a groan and rub my toes. Is there anythingbetter than the moments of relief after taking your heels off?
Holland smirks and stands next to me, reaching out a hand. “May I?”
My stomach tightens when he asks for permission. He acts like he didn’t grab it earlier.
I nod and take his hand. He holds the swing with one hand, keeping it stable, and holds my hand in the other as he helps me get on. I can feel the strength in his hands alone.
