“The hell I don’t! We’re friends. Family.”
She shook her head. “You don’t get it.”
She stepped away, but he stopped her. “Clara. Don’t walk away from me.”
“It’s too hard!”
“What’stoo hard?” But he knew. Deep down, he knew.
She opened her mouth—only to stop and suddenly sway on her feet.
He cursed and grabbed her waist, holding her close. “Clara…you’re not okay.”
She rubbed her forehead. “I’m tired. I probably shouldn’t have come out tonight.”
No, she sure as hell shouldn’t have.
Indie stopped beside them, glass in hand. “Hey, is everything all right?”
“No,” Holden answered for her. “I’m taking Clara home.”
Indie frowned at him before looking at her cousin, concern in her eyes. “Clara?”
“I’m so sorry. I should have told you I wasn’t feeling great. Is it okay if we rain check?”
“Of course. I can—”
“I’ve got her,” Holden interrupted, already knowing she was going to offer to take Clara home.
Indie looked ready to argue, but Clara touched her arm. “It’s okay. Holden can take me. Thank you though. And I’m sorry again.”
The two women hugged, then he slipped his arm back around her waist to lead her outside.
The entire drive to her place, he kept one eye on the road and the other on Clara. “Have you passed out recently?”
She shook her head. “No. Apart from the last few days, I’ve been feeling really good. The dizzy spells can come out when I’m stressed.”
His fingers tightened around the wheel. Stressed because of her damn roommate. “Has there been any more trouble with Scarlett?”
“No. She’s just been her normal joyful self.”
“Are you going to find a new roommate?”
“I’ll need to if I don’t want to increase the hours I work. But I’ll give myself some time to find someone. Really vet them.”
“If you need any help, I’m a great vetter.”
She chuckled softly. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You know, by not getting to know you, she’s really missed out.”
A small smile curved Clara’s lips and she looked at him, the soft blue of her eyes boring into him. “Thanks, Holden.”
When he arrived at her place, it was to see most of the lights off. Good. Maybe her roommate was asleep.
Clara reached for her seat belt. “You don’t need to walk me up.”
He could have laughed. “Of course I do. The gentleman in me insists.” Plus, after almost passing out on him at the bar, he was making sure she got inside safely.
