Then he was moving toward her. And every stride he took made that anger shrivel up a little more. Maybe it was because he was wearing a tight white shirt that stretched across his thick biceps. Or maybe it was because the power in his legs was evident even in his shorts.
He stopped beside her. “Hey, Clara.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Running.”
Well, of course he was running, but that wasn’twhyhe was here and they both knew it.
She opened her mouth to tell him just that, but Malcolm got in first.
“Hey. Holden, right?”
Holden frowned at Malcolm. “Yeah. Do I know you?”
Oh, hell no, they werenotgoing to bring upthatnight.
“We went to high school together,” Clara said before Malcolm could answer. “This is Malcolm, Helen, and Deb, who work at the hospital, and my roommate, Scarlett.”
“I take it you don’t work at the hospital?” Scarlett asked.
“No. I’m a woodworker.”
“Really? You any good at fixing cracked floorboards?”
Clara’s chest rose on a sharp inhale. “He doesn’t need—”
“You’ve got a cracked floorboard?” Holden interrupted.
Clara started shaking her head as Scarlett answered. “Yeah, and it’s a tripping hazard. Can you help?”
“Sure.”
Clara shook her head more vigorously. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Of course he does,” Scarlett said with a frown. “It’s been an issue since I moved in, and he’s your friend. What’s the problem?”
Theproblemwas that if this tall, dark, and too-sexy-for-his-own-good man entered her house, the entire place would smell of peppermint and pine, and he’d take up too much space with his broad shoulders and look far too good while he fixed things.
“Clara, I’m happy to do it,” Holden said gently, his voice like velvet.
“I—”
“Holden, you made it.”
They all turned to see a woman in mini running shorts and a sports bra walking toward them.
Clara frowned. Wait…she knew her. Well, she didn’t know her. But she’d seen her before. She was the rude iris lady.
They knew each other?
Briar touched Holden’s arm, and even though the touch was innocent, Clara had the sudden violent urge to tear the woman’s hand off.
Holden offered her a small smile. “Hi, Briar.”
How did he know her?
“Come. Run with me.” Miss Short Shorts tugged him away.
