40. Callie
CHAPTER 40
CALLIE
I can see why my sister needed help with the errand; the spa is in another building, all the way on the other side of the resort. Luckily, they have plenty of lotion in stock, and I’m in and out quickly, a fancy little shopping bag in hand.
Back inside the main building, I navigate the corridors, trying to find my way to the wing where Sadie’s room is located. As I turn a corner, three figures at the other end of the hall immediately put me on alert. One of the three is retreating, and as soon as I realize who it is, I understand my visceral reaction.
It’s Rick, and he disappears down an intersecting hall to the right just after I spot him. I’m tempted to retreat back the way I came, but I tell myself I’m being silly, and that I’ll be fine as long as I don’t go the same way he did.
As I continue on, it becomes clear that one of the two remaining men is Mr. Hargrove. He’s in close conversation with a tall man, who I know I’ve never seen before, because I would have remembered. The stranger is extremely thin, with greasy blond slicked-back hair and a suit that’s at least one size too big for him.
He’s probably a relative, though he looks nothing like Adam or his father. As I approach, the volume of their conversation grows quieter instead of louder, and as I pass, they stop talking altogether, even though neither of them acknowledges me.
Maybe I’m just shaken up from my glimpse of Rick, but something seems off. I don’t know if it’s body language, or the expression on the stranger’s face, but it puts me on alert.
The men continue speaking in low tones after I go by. I turn left at the next hallway I come to, and though I pause just around the corner and try to listen, I can’t hear any of their conversation.
After a few seconds, realizing it’s pointless trying to eavesdrop, not to mention silly, I turn to start walking, and almost run into Miles, who’s approaching me from the side.
No, wait. It’s not Miles. “Max, what are you doing here dressed for dinner?” He’s wearing a suit that, in contrast to the stranger’s, fits him like it was made especially to highlight the perfection of his body. I lower my voice to a whisper. “Did Miles decide not to come?”
“No, he’ll be the one going to dinner. I just needed to walk around before I settle in for the evening. Aren’t you coming back to the room before dinner?”
I hold up the bag. “Yeah, I just need to deliver this to Sadie first. I got a bit lost, and then I saw Rick, so … I really don’t know where I’m headed.”
Max’s brows furrow. “Did he talk to you?”
“Rick? No, I don’t think he even saw me. Let’s go this way, though.” I take his arm and continue in the direction I was headed, so that we’ll be out of earshot of Mr. Hargrove. After checking over my shoulder, I say, “I passed Adam’s father talking to some strange man, though.”
“A strange man?”
“Yeah, just … I don’t know. I’m probably just being weird, but he didn’t look like any of Adam’s relatives that I’ve seen so far. I’ll ask Sadie about him.”
“I’ll go with you … in case you cross paths with Rick.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. If I’d have known you needed exercise, I’d have asked you to walk over to the spa with me. It was a hike!” I explain about the lotion as we make our way to Sadie’s room. Once we pass a bank of elevators, I get my bearings, and then it’s only two turns and two long halls until we reach our destination—luckily, with no sign of Rick.
“Thank you, Callie. I really appreciate it,” Sadie says when she opens her door. “Oh, hi, Max. Did you have fun at the whiskey tasting today?”
“Yeah, it was a good time.”
She arches a brow. “Definitely seemed to be, based on how some of the groomsmen were weaving around at the rehearsal.”
Max gives her one of his gorgeous grins. “There was a lot of whiskey to sample.”
As I hand over the spa bag and confirm that I got all she needed, I peer into her room. “Is Adam here?”
Sadie shakes her head. “Not right now, and he needs to hurry so we can put the gifts together. Why?”
“A few minutes ago, I passed his father talking to someone that I hadn’t seen before. A tall, really thin man with longish, slicked-back hair.” I gesture as I’m talking. “Do you know anyone who looks like that?”
My sister frowns and shakes her head. “No, but there were several people on Adam’s guest list that I haven’t met yet, and a lot of people are arriving today to stay the night before the ceremony.”
“Makes sense. Is there anything else you need before I go get ready for dinner?”
“No, thank you, sister dear.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
After Max and I leave, I say, “She’s sure in a good mood.”
He takes my hand and swings it between us as we walk. “Either she’s excited about the wedding, or Adam brought back some whiskey for her.”