Kelly stepped closer and began picking up the spilled groceries, trying to put them back into the paper bag, which had torn. The items rolled back out.
He leaned over and pulled several items off the hood of his car and watched in amusement as everything continued to scatter out of the bag she was still attempting to refill. If she willed it hard enough, it might just hold.
“I think that’s a lost cause,” he said.
Ava continued standing on the sidewalk giggling. Kelly shot a glare at her. “Ava, maybe you should go up to the room and empty the bag so we can use it to pick up these groceries.”
Ava only laughed more before nodding and disappearing inside the building.
“I think between the two of us, we could get these up to your room,” he said.
His voice came so close that she looked up quickly only to realize he was squatting next to her, picking up the loose items that rolled out of the bag as shestillattempted to refill it.
She stood up and took a step away from him. “Um, that’s okay. I think I can handle it.”
He looked around. “I’m sure you can, but I can help.” He clearly didn’t think she could, and he would be right. There were way too many items for her to carry in one trip without a bag. Between the two of them, they might be able to do it, but Ava should be down soon to help.
“My friend will be right back. She can help me.”
He tilted his head. “Seriously, I don’t mind. Let me help.”
Kelly looked around. There were a lot of people moving between the resort and the stores down the street. They weren’t exactly in a secluded area, but she was in a new place, and she didn’t want this guy to see which room was hers. She wasn’t used to having to worry about her safety with a strange man. Storyville was a small town where she knew all the locals. But here, she didn’t know if this guy was some big-city slicker who was here to prey on women. He was at the resort after all.
“No offense,” she said. “But I don’t need you to see where I’m staying.”
A small smile crossed his face. “I can respect that. Perhaps it would make a difference if I let you know I’m the head chef here and my family owns the resort. I’m Miles Blake.”
So, he was also a small-town guy. “Oh. Um, I’m Kelly.” She looked around. But maybe he was lying, and it was just a line he used. “I’ll still wait for my friend.”
He gave a single nod. “Okay. Well, it was nice to meet you, Kelly.”
“You too. I’m sorry again about the—” she gestured at the car.
He chuckled. “It’s all right.”
She watched as he disappeared inside the resort. Not even a minute later, a man wearing a green polo with the resort logo came out carrying a paper bag.
“Hi, ma’am. Miles asked me to bring this to you.” The man bent down and helped her put her items into the new bag. Once they finished, he stood up. “Would you like me to help you to your room?”
She shook her head. “Oh no. I’ve got it, but thank you. I have a question, though.” She paused for a moment. “Does Miles really work here?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s one of the owners.”
Kelly smiled and thanked him again before they went their separate ways. She went up the elevator to their room and walked down the hallway. When she let herself inside, Ava was lying on the bed scrolling on her phone.
“Ava! What the heck? I told you to come back down with a bag.”
Ava giggled. “I thought you two might need a moment together. He was hot.”
Kelly rolled her eyes. “Not that it matters. I made a fool of myself.”
“Some guys like that.”
Kelly snorted. “Right.”
