“Dougie, so good to see you. You dining in tonight?”
He almost lost his nerve at the excitement in her voice. She seemed so happy to see him, but he doubted she would feel the same way when he was done. “Actually, Holly, I came to see you. Do you have a minute?”
Her smile faltered as her brow furrowed in confusion, but she nodded and called to one of her hostesses to take over. “Come on back to the office. You have a look about you that says this might be serious.”
Great. He already had a look about him. Well, maybe it was a good thing. Maybe it would help his case. He followed her through the kitchen to a small office in the back. He’d been in the office before, but now he felt like it was closing in on him.
“Okay, spill. What’s going on?” She leaned against her desk and folded her arms across her chest. He could tell her hackles were up already; this was not going to be easy.
“It might be nothing, but in case it is, I had to tell you.” He cleared his throat. Nope, this wasn’t going any better than the practice in the car. “I saw Frederick at the resort tonight.”
Holly’s posture stiffened, and he could tell that her wall was going up. “And? He’s living in town now. I’m sure a lot of people who live in town visit the resort.”
“That’s true, but he was with a woman. I’ve never seen her before but she sure seemed to know him. She was all over him like cheap cologne and he wasn’t pushing her away. They went to a room, Holly.” He thought he would feel relief after telling her, but all he felt was guilt because he knew this would hurt her.
“And?”
“And?” He blinked sure that he had misheard her. “And what?”
“What happened after that? Since you’re so invested in my love life, I’m sure you watched until they emerged.” Her tone had taken on a bitter edge he imagined she learned in New York when she lived there.
“They’re still there, Holly. It happened right at the end of my shift. I’ve got Colton watching the room, and he’s supposed to text me—”
She threw her arms up in the air. “You told Colton about it too? Thanks a lot, Dougie. What if it’s a relative coming in early for the wedding? Did you ever think about that?”
He had, but he’d never acted toward his female relatives the way Frederick had with this woman. “I considered it, Holly, but if you watch the tape…” He should have brought the tape with him. Then at least, it would be a video instead of just his words. “Look, I can have Colton send it to me.”
“Don’t bother, Dougie. I don’t know what everyone’s problem with Frederick is but we’re getting married. In a week. So maybe, instead of spying on him, you could just be happy for us.”
Dougie rubbed his forehead. Spying? He wasn’t spying. Security was his job and he was just looking out for her. Except was he? Would he have told Holly if he didn’t have feelings for her? If he didn’t somehow hope that she might realize how wrong Frederick was for her and how right he was? “I’m sorry, Holly. I am happy for you, and I want you to be happy.” That, at least, was the truth. “I just thought you might want to know all you’re getting into before you say I do — the good and the bad.”
“Fine. You did your job, but I think I’m old enough to handle myself. You can see yourself out, right?” Her wall was sealed and bricked now, and her eyes were stones. It didn’t matter what else he said, she wasn’t going to believe him.
“Yeah, I can see myself out. I’m sorry, Holly.” There was so much more he wanted to say, but he knew any more words would only land on deaf ears. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say, so she wouldn’t listen. All he could do was hope that he’d planted a seed that might sprout before she went through with the wedding.