I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, my shoulders slumping as the door closed behind them. Holden’s arm stayed around me, his thumb brushing against my side in slow, soothing strokes.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, leaning into him. “Yeah. I just… I wasn’t expecting that.”
Holden’s brow furrowed, his gaze darkening. “He didn’t bother you, did he?”
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “It’s just weird, seeing him again. I mean, after everything that happened…” I trailedoff, not really wanting to go down that road. Not now. Not when things were finally starting to feel good.
Holden was quiet for a moment, then he nodded, his arm tightening around me just a little. “If he ever bothers you—if he ever tries anything—you tell me, okay?”
There was a fierceness in his voice that made my heart swell. I looked up at him, meeting his eyes, and I could see it there—the protectiveness, the care. He meant it. He would stand by me, fight for me if it ever came to that.
I smiled, my chest tightening in the best way. “Okay. I promise.”
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, and I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the warmth of him, the safety of it. Of him.
We stayed like that for a while, just sitting there, his arm around me, the world outside the window moving on without us. And for once, I didn’t feel like I was on the outside looking in. I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be.
“You know,” Holden said after a while, his voice lightening, “I think we’ve still got time to hit up Everwild before they close. I’ve got a couple of things I need to pick up, and I haven’t checked in with them for some time.”
I blinked up at him, surprised. “The Everwild Outfitters store here?”
“Yeah,” he said, grinning. “Did I forget to mention that? My family owns it. It’s kind of our thing.”
I stared at him, my jaw dropping slightly. “You mean… your family owns Everwild? Like, the whole thing?”
Holden chuckled, nodding. “Yep. It started here, and now it’s all over. I guess you could say we’ve been pretty lucky.”
“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “I had no idea. That’s… that’s amazing.”
He shrugged, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. “Yeah, it’s something. Come on, let’s go. I’ll give you the grand tour.”
That feeling like he was maybe out of my league returned...
He stood, taking my hand, and I let him lead me out of the shop, our ice cream long forgotten. As we walked down the street, his fingers laced with mine, I felt it again—that sense of belonging. It felt like Holden was my person, and I was his. And whatever came our way, we could face it together.
Maybe it was too soon, and maybe I should be more careful, but I couldn’t help it. I was too damn happy.
We got to Everwild Outfitters, the sign above the door familiar now that I knew the story behind it. Holden pushed the door open, the bell chiming softly, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as we stepped inside.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
HOLDEN
As we walkedinto Everwild Outfitters, I felt a surge of pride in my chest. This store was more than just a business to my family—it was part of our legacy. The rustic yet modern space, filled with the scent of fresh wood and the vibrant colors of outdoor gear, embodied everything we stood for: adventure and a deep connection to nature. The store reflected us perfectly.
I led him through the aisles, pointing out different sections and sharing the story behind each product line. I wanted him to know everything. He deserved to know it all.
“This is the flagship line,” I said, gesturing to a row of insulated jackets. “It’s designed for versatility. Keeps you warm on the trails and still looks good enough for a night out.”
Mylo ran his fingers along the fabric, his eyes widening. “It’s so light. You wouldn’t even know it was insulated.”
“Exactly. It’s all about the materials. Everything we use is sustainable—recycled polyester, organic cotton, responsibly sourced wool.” I watched his expression as I spoke, noting the curiosity and surprise. It made me smile.
“You really put a lot into this, huh?” he asked, looking up at me.
I nodded, my chest swelling with pride. Sharing this with my mate felt incredible. This was his too—he just didn’t know it yet, but one day, our kids would be the ones in charge. “My family’s been doing this for a long time. It’s part of who we are. And now, you’re part of that too.”
