“Don’t be surprised if I don’t text you back, right away, or whatever. I sometimes forget this thing exists.” Holland stumbles over his words.
I put my hands on my cheeks and dramatically say, “Oh no! What will I ever do?”
Holland shakes his head and puts his phone back in his pocket.
“I can take you back to the lodge… if you’re ready,” he offers.
The truth is, I’d have no problem spending more time with Slate. And Holland. But I feel like I’ve already overstayed my welcome.
My mind checks off a mental list of all the time I’ve taken from Holland over the last few days. The day off during the conference, drinks, shopping, dinner, hiking and this evening. He doesn’t seem to mind but it makes me feel a type of way. It’s probably best if I go back to my room at the lodge and give this man some peace. We’ve spent all day together. He must have other things to do.
“Works for me.” I don’t confirm if I’m ready but give him the green light.
Reluctantly, I move from the couch and am met with more stiff muscles. I grab my stuff and give Slate some extra attention before we leave.
In the lobby, someone is leaning against the front desk, talking with Bea.
“Your ears must be burnin’. We were just about to call you,” Bea says from behind the desk. The man walks towards Holland and they shake hands.
“Oh, man. I completely forgot you were coming today.”
“That’s okay. You’re here now.” The man is clearly unbothered by Holland’s tardiness.
“I’m here, but that’s it. I forgot to schedule any staff.” Holland runs his hands through his hair before wrapping them around the back of his neck. T-shirts are a wonderful article of clothing. If he hadn’t changed into said t-shirt, after hiking, then I wouldn’t be able to see his biceps. What in the world does this man lift to look like that?
I wipe my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling.
“Well, who’s this?” the man asks, looking at me.
“Erm, this is Ivy. She’s a… guest.” Holland sputters through a response while Bea stifles a laugh.
“Hey, Ivy.” He reaches out for a handshake. “Great to meet ya. I’m Ryan. The lodge’s drink guy.”
“Ryan, I’m so sorry. Let me see if I can find any staff to join us.” Holland’s voice is uneasy and fast.
“Holland,” Bea croons. “I’m sure Ivy wouldloveto sample all the beer, cider, and wine Ryan brought. Doesn’t that sound like fun, Ivy?”
“Ugh, yes. I definitely want to do that.” I can’t answer fast enough.
“Are you sure? Don’t feel like you have to…”
Compelled to reassure him, I reach out to touch Holland’s arm. I’m met with muscles and I do my best not to feel around in front of Bea and Ryan. “I’m sure. Sounds like somespontaneousfun.” The corner of mymouth slants up and I wink at him.
Holland’s eyes go to my hand on his arm and then back to me. My stomach flips when he locks his eyes to mine.
“Excellent!” Ryan says. “Let me get a few more boxes from my truck and I’ll meet you inside.”
“Crisis averted.” Bea claps her hands together. “You two have fun and don’t forget to eat,” she says with a knowing tone.
Ryan pours the final cider in my glass. It seems pointless, considering I said I’ve loved everything in the last forty-five minutes. You could say I’m a little drunk and everything tastes heavenly at this point.
Not sure what I thought would happen, but I didn’t predict it’d be two hours of sampling alcoholic beverages. You’re never drinking a full glass but it quickly adds up.
Holland ordered what felt like half the food menu but I’m still tipsy. Now, here I sit next to a beautiful lodge owner, pondering my empty hands. And how they’d feel better if they were touching him. Maybe without his shirt on.
He’s not much taller than I am but it feels like he towers over me. Maybe it’s the muscles from his shoulders down to his legs. Stealing glances at his calves during our hike generated the same fluttery sensation in my stomach. Not sure if I’ve ever looked at a calf as a body part that could or couldn’t be attractive. This isn’t normal. What kind of person swoons over someone’s calves?
The same kind of person who couldn’t stop thinking about him when he was in the shower. The man was in his own shower, in his home, and I was drooling out on the patio.
