Holden lowered in front of her and studied her eyes. “Are you sure you drank only half a bottle of vodka seltzer?”
“I’m as sure as a dog in a bone factory.”
Not even a twitch of his lips. Well,shethought she was funny.
Holden scanned the room, as if it held answers to all his questions. His gaze landed on the half-eaten brownie. “Where did you get that?”
She scoffed and little bits of spit flew out of her mouth, and she quickly covered it with her hand. Whoops. “Sorry.”
“Clara—where did you get the brownie?”
“The fridge.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Who made them?”
“Scarlett, for her private little gathering tonight that I didn’t get invited to. Pretty silly, if you ask me. I’m great company.”
He lifted what was left and smelled it, then he sat on the couch and studied her eyes some more.
The feeling of euphoria while having Holden’s eyes on her was actually kind of nice. Screw Scarlett’s gathering. This was better.
She reached out and smoothed the line between his brows. “You frown too much.”
“It’s what you do when you’re angry.”
She cringed. “Is it because I startedNotting Hillwithout you?”
“Because your roommate laced those brownies.”
Her eyes widened. “With what?”
“Marijuana.”
Clara gasped. “She did not!”
“Then explain what’s going on.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back. “Can’t. Too tired.”
“I’m getting you water. And when your roommate gets home, we’re having a conversation with her.”
Holden’s footsteps sounded, and she cracked one eye open to watch his back as he opened a cupboard door and grabbed a glass. Even though the world was foggy and moving in circles, Holden was crystal clear. The strength in his back through his shirt. The way he moved with such power and purpose.
He looked good in her house. Exactly why she hadn’t wanted him in it.
“I need to ask you something,” she said softly.
Those muscles in his back visibly tightened as he filled the glass with water. “Okay.”
“Why does loving me scare you so much?”
Every musclein Holden’s body tightened, and for a second, he didn’t move.
Slowly, he forced himself to turn, glass of water in hand. “Now’s probably not the best time for that conversation.”
She snorted. “If it were up to you, there would never be a best time.”
It was true. He was a damn coward.
