Finally, Holly spoke. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re pretty cute too. In an objective, stating-the-facts kind of way, of course.”
Mack let out the breath she’d been holding. “Oh. Good. I mean, not good, but…you know what I mean.”
Holly laughed, the sound breaking the tension. “We’re quite the pair, aren’t we? Stranded in a motel, sharing a bed, and now awkwardly complimenting each other.”
Mack couldn’t help but join in the laughter. “Yeah, this is definitely not how I expected today to go.”
“Me either,” Holly agreed, reaching for another pretzel. She held it up, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, wine snob, want to try my ‘endearing’ pretzel-dunking technique?”
Mack pretended to consider it seriously. “Well, I suppose in the spirit of new experiences…” She took the pretzel from Holly, their fingers brushing lightly in the exchange. Mack tried to ignore the little jolt that ran through her at the contact. She dipped the pretzel into her wine, eyeing it dubiously before popping it into her mouth. Chewing thoughtfully for a moment, she finally nodded. “Okay, I hate to admit it, but that’s not half bad.”
“See? I told you.” Holly smirked mischievously. “Sometimes the best combinations are the unexpected.”
Chapter 6
Holly
Holly glanced at the clock and was surprised to see how late it had gotten. They’d talked about their lives and their jobs. Mack had enthusiastically described her work as a software engineer, explaining her current project developing an AI-driven personal assistant app. In turn, Holly shared about her career as a corporate lawyer, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. She told Mack about her recent trip to Seattle, where she’d been negotiating a complex deal between a local start-up and a major tech company. They’d both been surprised to discover the overlap in their professional worlds, with Holly often working with tech companies and Mack’s company potentially being the kind that Holly might represent in the future. The conversation had flowed easily, and they’d lost track of time as they shared stories of challenging projects and workplace anecdotes.
“We should probably try to get some sleep,” she suggested reluctantly. “I want to get up early to check on available flights or rental cars, even though there’s only a slim chance we’ll get lucky.” She was enjoying herself and didn’t really want the night to end, but at the same time, she felt the weight of the day catching up with her.
Mack stifled a yawn. “You’re right. I’m tired too. We could always rent a car together? It’s quite a distance, it would help to share the driving.”
“Yeah, I’m up for that.” Holly liked Mack’s sleepwear—a pair of soft-looking sweatpants and a form-fitting tank top, and she found it hard to keep her eyes off her toned arms, the muscles shifting subtly as she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Holly hesitated for a moment before following Mack into the bathroom. The small space felt even more cramped with both of them in it, and she was acutely aware of their proximity. She reached for her toothbrush, her hand brushing against Mack’s arm in the process. Focusing on the task at hand, she tried to ignore the way her heart raced every time Mack’s elbow bumped against hers. She was usually so composed, so in control of her emotions, but something about Mack threw her off balance in a way that was both terrifying and exhilarating.
How had this woman, who she’d been ready to throttle at the airport, become someone she wanted to be close to? Holly shook her head, trying to clear it. It was unlikely they’d ever see each other again after they returned home, so it wasn’t worth breaking her head over.
“Don’t forget to floss,” Mack mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste. She winked, meeting Holly’s eyes in the mirror, and it brought a flutter to Holly’s core. There had been a shift in the atmosphere. Their earlier confessions of finding each other “objectively” attractive hung in the air between them, creating a new tension, and she felt self-conscious, hyperaware of every movement she made.
She studied Mack’s face, noticing details she hadn’t before. The way Mack’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the small scar just above her left eyebrow, the splash of freckles across her nose that were barely visible unless you werelooking closely. Mack’s teal hair was messy now, giving her an endearing, tousled look.
Just hours ago, she’d been yelling at Mack, and now she found herself desperately wanting Mack to like her. It was a strange sensation, this sudden desire for approval.
After they finished up in the bathroom, Mack paused at the foot of the bed. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want me to sleep on the floor? I really don’t mind,” she offered again.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. We’ll manage just fine in the bed.”
“All right, if you’re sure. Just promise to tell me if I start snoring or hogging the blankets.” They moved around the room, extinguishing the candles one by one. As the last flame flickered out, darkness enveloped them, broken only by the faint glow of the lights outside, filtering through the thin curtains.
When they settled into bed, Holly was acutely aware of Mack’s presence beside her. The bed, which had seemed small earlier, now felt impossibly tiny. She could feel the heat radiating from Mack’s body, hear the soft sound of her breathing. Holly lay still, trying to regulate her own breaths, feeling as though every small movement was magnified in the darkness.
The mattress, worn from years of use, dipped noticeably in the middle, creating a subtle slope that threatened to draw them toward the center. She’d noticed it sitting up before, but now it was so much harder to stay on her own side. She tensed her muscles, trying to maintain her position on the edge of the bed, fighting against the pull of gravity.
After a few minutes of silent struggle, Mack’s voice broke through the darkness, tinged with amusement. “I’m starting to think this bed is conspiring against us,” she said dryly. “It’s like trying to stay on a hill without rolling down.”
Holly chuckled, relieved that she wasn’t the only one struggling. “I was just thinking the same thing. This bed is basically a relationship accelerator.”
“Well…” Mack’s voice was softer now. “I suppose there are worse things than ending up in the middle. At least we won’t fall off the edges.”
Holly’s heart rate picked up at the implication. She took a deep breath, deciding to let go of her resistance. “You’re right. It’s probably easier to just go with it.”
Slowly, they both allowed themselves to slide toward the center of the bed. Their backs met in the middle. Holly’s skin tingled everywhere where they touched—the press of Mack’s shoulder blades against hers, the slight contact of their hips, the way their legs just barely brushed against each other.
“Are you comfortable?” Mack whispered.
“Yeah.” Holly’s mind began to wander, unbidden fantasies creeping into her thoughts. She imagined Mack turning around, facing her, and in her mind, she could almost feel Mack’s lips on hers, soft and insistent. The imaginary kiss deepened, and Holly felt a rush of heat course through her body.
