“Relax,” he said, dropping an olive into his martini. “They’re on vacation for the next two weeks. My aunt Mags is friends with the Sridhars and offered to water their plants while they’re away.”
“Dude…this is breaking and entering.”
“We’ve only entered. There’s been no breaking.”
“That’s not how that works.”
He took his cocktail to the sliding glass door that opened onto the patio. “Are you coming or not?”
I stood halfway between Holden and the front door. I could end this madness now and salvage the dance with Violet.
And go back to your plastic, pretend life.
I grabbed my beer off the bar counter and joined Holden.
He carefully set his martini on a small table and stretched his long form out on a lounger facing the pool. I sat on the edge of another lounger, still in my tux.
“Gorgeous night, don’t you think?” Holden said.
“Sure. Perfect for committing petty larceny.”
“No one’s losing their shit over a missing beer and a few olives.” He pondered his martini glass, turning it in the moonlight. “Though they might wonder where a few ounces of their Cîroc vodka has run off to. This stuff isn’t cheap, but then again, we’re takingexcellentcare of their plants.”
“Do you break into people’s houses on the regular?”
“On occasion. It’s easier when the owners give you the security code but not as fun as slipping in unannounced. You’d be surprised at how many people leave a window unlocked.” He shot me a look. “Or their front door.”
“Why?”
“The thrill of it, mostly. And because I’ve only ever lived in ahouseand don’t know what ahomelooks like. And yours, River, is the homiest home to ever home.”
I sipped my beer to soothe the sudden ache in my throat. “Not for long.”
“How long is not long?” Holden asked softly.
“She’s a fighter so…a few months? Maybe.”
“I’m sorry. But I’m even more glad that I brought you here. You need a time-out. Whatever you want to call it. A break.”
I started to protest, but he was right. I was tired. Mentally exhausted. I took another pull from my stolen beer. The tightness coiled in my muscles loosened, and I settled into being here. With him.
A few minutes of easy silence passed. The night air was warm, eventhis close to the ocean. I loosened my tie and shook out of my tux jacket while Holden seemed perfectly content in his heavy clothes.
“Aren’t you hot?” I asked.
“I thought it was obvious.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean. Maybe not now but what about during the day? When it’s pushing eighty.”
“No.”
“Okay, but…why?”
“Why do I dress like it’s winter? Because it always is.”
The words were dramatic but came out on a current of pain, and he drew his thick coat tighter around him.
“You want to talk about it?” I asked after a minute.
