“I mean … you … uh … you’re here. At the Double R.” She swallowed past the ball of mortification clogging her throat. “You’re set to stay here for three days and two nights.”
He chuckled and grinned, causing a dimple to form on his left cheek. “And here I was thinkin’ this vacation was lookin’ brighter already.”
Oh, that drawl. It was even more prominent than most. It wasn’t a Texas twang. No, instead of talking fast and dropping the g’s at the end of words, his vowels were drawn out, and there was a softer lilt to his tone. It was nice.
Bailey could feel the blush infusing her cheeks. “Don’t mind me. I’m still getting my bearings.”
“I’ve been told I have that effect on people.”
She choked on a laugh. “No. I mean, that’s not the reason. Well, it’s notnotthe reason. I’m not tryin’ to insult you. I’m just sayin’…”What the hellwasshe saying?“I’ve only been workin’ here for a little while. Only full-time this week, so I’m just feelin’ my way through.”
Holt winked. “You’re welcome to feel your way with me anytime.”
Oh, heavens.
“And you’re right,” he said, stepping closer. “I’m here for three days and two nights, but when I called, I spoke to someone about the option to extend my stay for a few weeks.”
Bailey peered down at the reservation book. She didn’t remember seeing any notes about it.
“If it’s a problem…”
“Of course not.” She peered up at him. “We’re not completely full through the summer, so I’m sure I can make it work.”
“I appreciate it.”
She got lost in his tumultuous blue eyes for a moment too long before remembering what she was doing. Bailey turned to the lockbox and used her fingerprint to unlock it, then retrieved a single key for room five. She passed it to Holt as she jotted down the time he arrived.
She stepped out from behind the reservation desk and motioned toward the stairs. “Your room’s at the top of the stairs to the right. Number five.” She gestured to the main floor. “Feel free to use any of these rooms if you’d like to interact with other guests. We serve wine in the livin’ room at seven every evenin’.”
She led him past the stairs to the open living area so he could check it out.
“There’s an air-conditioned sunroom at the back if you’d like a pool view. The laundry area is also back there, so it might sometimes be a little noisy.” She turned back to the room opposite the reservation desk. “This was originally a parlor, but Rex converted it into a business center in case you need it. And this over here is the dinin’ room. Breakfast is served between six and eight every mornin’.” She pivoted to point that room out. “It’s buffet style, but if there’s anything specific you’d like to request, I can see what I can do.”
“I’m not picky about breakfast. Unless my choice is to share it with a pretty lady.”
Bailey fought the urge to giggle at his charm. His lines were cheesy, but his delivery was sinful. She doubted he had any problems getting women to agree to join him for breakfast.
“The kitchen is open day and night if you’re hungry. We keep everything for sandwiches on hand, plus several single-serve snacks. But if you’re lookin’ for dinner, might I suggest the diner.” She kept walking until they reached the windows overlooking the pool. “We close the pool and hot tub at ten each night, but they’re available throughout the day. And every Friday night in August, there’s a band in Walker Park.” She pointed toward the front door. “It’s right across the street.”
He shifted his bag on his shoulder. “Sounds like a good time all around.”
“It is, yes.” Feeling her cheeks warm again, she met his stare and aimed for professionalism. “Anyway. My name’s Bailey if you need anything. Oh, and if you need somethin’ and can’t find me, feel free to text the number on the back of your keychain. Someone will be here to assist.”
“Good to know.” He winked again, then turned toward the back stairs.
“As a head’s up, there’s a door at the top of these stairs. It opens into the game room, so don’t be alarmed when you get up there. It kinda surprised me the first time I went up there. I worried I was gonna walk into someone’s room.”
Holt laughed. “I guess that could’ve been awkward. Maybe I should use the main stairs the first time.”
Bailey walked him to the front of the house, then shifted her attention to the reservation desk in an effort not to stare at his ass as he walked up the stairs. For the record, she failed.
She was pretty sure Holt noticed because his muffled laughter followed him to the second floor.
Shaking her head, Bailey found herself smiling as she headed for the kitchen to put together some afternoon snacks. She’d ordered two dozen chocolate chip cookies from the bakery that her mother had hand-delivered a short time ago. Bailey knew it was merely a way for her mom to check on her and to get a glimpse of her at work. Bailey’d been so busy these past few weeks that she hadn’t been able to spend much time with her mom. After giving Mack her two-week notice, she worked her shifts at Moonshiners while Mack interviewed candidates to fill her position. Thankfully, he found a suitable replacement just two days before her last day, so she had a little time to help the woman adjust.
Not that Bailey had done much. From the moment Ivy Tilman stepped onto the polished wood floor, she’d dominated the room. As far as waitressing went, she was a natural. Quite possibly perfect. Unlike Bailey, who’d dropped more dishes than she delivered her first night on the floor.
But waitressing didn’t seem to be Ivy’s only specialty. She had an absurd ability to juggle multiple tasks at once. Not only could she balance six beers and two glasses of wine on a tray, she was also quite skilled at flirting with the bartender when Rafe was the one behind the bar.
