“Did being diagnosed change your perspective on life?”
She could have laughed. “It changed my entire world—mind, body and soul. I don’t think it’s possible to hear a doctor tell you that you have stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma and remain the same person.”
Malcolm leaned forward, seeming genuinely intrigued. “Howdid it change?”
“It made me realize that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I was living like I had forever, working a job I didn’t like because of the prestige. Living in a city that was too busy and loud. Always thinking I was building toward the life I wanted. Then the doctortold me I was sick and all I could think was—what am I doing? I could die tomorrow. I should be living the life I wantnow.”
“So you came home.”
“Yep. I’m studying acupuncture and I love it. I’m living on my terms.”
“That’s brave.”
Itwasbrave.Shewas brave. So why was she a twenty-seven-year-old virgin staring at her crush, too scared to tell him how she felt?
Her gaze shifted to her cousin Indie, who was wrapped in her husband’s arms. They looked happy. Sure, they had issues, but they loved each other. She wanted that. She wanted to experience a love—feela love—so fierce that it made her feel alive every day.
Well, she wouldn’t get that by sitting over here watching Holden from beneath her lashes. She needed to put herself out there.
“Malcolm, I need to go talk to someone.” She stood and moved to walk away, but Malcolm was suddenly on his feet.
“Wait—”
She turned back at the same moment he stepped forward, and his drink hit her in the chest, cool liquid immediately seeping into the thin material of her cropped sweater.
Malcolm’s jaw dropped. “Oh, Jesus, Clara. I’msosorry.” He turned and grabbed a handful of napkins that had already been on the table when she’d sat down, and started dabbing her top.
She gasped. “Malcolm, stop. I’m okay.”
He dabbed one more time before strong fingers suddenly wrapped around Malcolm’s wrist. “What the hell are you doing?”
Her body locked at his deep, raspy voice.
Holden.
His familiar cedar scent tinged the air, making her belly give a little kick. And when she looked up, she saw his deep hazel eyes were narrowed on Malcolm.
Malcolm’s mouth opened and closed. “I’m trying to dry her sweater.”
“By pawing my sister’s chest?” Jesse growled.
Oh God, now there were two of them.
The cool liquid began to slip down her belly, touching the top of her jeans.Yuck.
“Holden, Jesse, it’s fine. I’ve got a spare sweater in the car. I’ll go change.”
She turned and walked through the crowd, the wet material getting more uncomfortable by the second.
As she passed Indie, her cousin grabbed her arm. “Hey. Are you okay?”
Her husband, Colt, shifted his gaze from her to Malcolm like he was a step away from joining Jesse and Holden.
“Yeah, I just need a new top.” Not entirely true; she could also use a shower.
Indie stepped away from Colt. “I’ll come with you.”
Clara shook her head. “No, stay with Colt. He has to go back to California tomorrow. My car’s just around the corner anyway.”
