Page 6 of While We Waited

“I wasn’t handcuffing you, but I am now.”

Weston quickly secures the man before leading him out the door. “I’ll get his statement. You get the witness statements,” he instructs Lucas.

The second the door closes behind them, his wife throws herself at me. “Thank you. Thank you.”

I raise my hands in the air and grit my teeth. I don’t want her touching me. If any woman is going to touch me, it’ll be—

I shove thoughts of Nova and her bright smile away. No women will be touching me. Period.

Lucas untangles the woman from me. “Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”

I nod to my front desk manager. “Wesley will show you the way to a private conference room you can use.”

“Can you have someone round up any footage they recorded of the incident?” he asks before starting down the hallway behind Wesley.

“I’ll handle it, boss,” one of the front desk workers, Roger, says.

The woman’s friend hurries after them. “Can I go with her? For moral support?”

Lucas agrees and the three of them disappear down the hallway with Wesley while Roger herds everyone together. He asks everyone for their name and email address before checking the footage on their phones and forwarding it to the resort. I’m impressed. I’ll keep my eye on the man in the future.

Another hour passes before all the witnesses have been interviewed by Lucas and Weston. I remain in the lobby to oversee the situation in case I’m needed.

When Weston and Lucas finally depart, with the husband handcuffed in the back of their patrol car, I make my way back to my office. I shut the door behind me and collapse in my chair.

What a morning.

My phone rings and I dig it out of my pocket.Nova calling.

I’m tempted to answer. Just to hear her happy voice.

But I don’t. I hit ignore and throw the phone on my desk.

Nova should stay far, far away from me.

Chapter 3

No – a word Nova refuses to accept when it comes to Hudson and beer

Nova

“Hang up on me will he,” I mutter as I drive toHideaway Haven Resort.

I’m done with Grumbleguts and his inability to at least have a conversation about the possibility of stockingFive Fathomsbeersat his resort. Does he think he’s too special to have local beer on the menu? I’ll show him special.

I arrive at the resort and park near the entrance to the hotel. I grab the bag I prepared and march to the door. It opens automatically and I hurry inside.

I glance around and nearly screech to a halt. I forgot how fancy this place is. Soaring ceilings stretch high above, a grand staircase sweeps gracefully upward in a spiral with handrails carved from rich dark wood, and a breathtaking chandelier withcrystals shimmers in the light. To top it all off, the entire place is adorned with tropical blooms.

I glance down at my outfit. I’m wearing a sundress and flip-flops. MaybeHideaway Haven Resortis too special to carry our beer.

A man approaches me. According to his nametag, he’s Roger. “Can I help you?”

I ignore all my insecurities and smile at him. “Hi, Roger. Is Hudson available?”

His eyes narrow. “Do you have an appointment?”

I nearly roll my eyes. As if Hudson would ever agree to an appointment with me. I lie instead. “Yes, I do.”

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