I pick up our hands. “I swear.”
Back in my room, my skin tingles thinking about Holland and I standing so close together. He didn’t flinch when I reached for him. In all honesty, I wanted to holdhis hand but thought that’d be too bold. Instead, I channeled my inner middle-schooler and grabbed his pinky.
What was that? My cheeks feel flushed. It’s a wave of “I can’t believe I did that,” with a dash of awareness and need.
My dry spell is embarrassing. I haven’t been with anyone since Jack so it’s been months on that front. How long has it been since I’ve had sex? And if you’re countinggoodsex, Jack definitely doesn’t count. Being with him was nothing to brag about. If I could describe it in three words: lazy, vanilla, unfulfilling. Typically, I’d have to take care of myself afterwards. He’d finish and be on his way to sleep, or to shower within seconds. It felt more like it was Jack having sex and I was just there.
Instead of spending any more time thinking about Jack and his lackluster appeal, my mind goes to Holland. Reserved and patient. And the kind of man who owns a backpack specifically to take his dog hiking. The image of him reaching to touch my lip during lunch replays in my head.
Chapter Twenty
I DROPPED IVY off at the lodge with the intention of getting some work done. I walked her in and we said our goodbyes in the lobby. The employees pretended not to notice when we walked in together. They know better. Well, everyone besides Bea. But luckily, she was gone for the day.
Ivy picked up her pinky and sort of waved with it. Odd but fitting. With her hair pulled back so I could see her neck, I couldn’t help but look at her. The leggings accentuate the curves of her ass and the strength of her legs. She looks strong. A definite turn-on.
I thought throwing myself into work would help. When I try to think of something else, I keep coming back to her. About the way she moans when she eats. How she grabbed my fucking pinky as we watched the sunset, and it made me feel like I was sixteen-years-old. Or how she always seems to smell like lavender or how her ass looks as she walks away flashes in my mind.
Should I be thinking of her like that? Maybe. Probably not. A man can only take so much.
A pinky-swear. That’s a more wholesome thought. I haven’t thought of that in years. When she lifted our hands up, her eyes sparkling from the setting sun, it felt like part of me was thawing. Not quite warm but trendingin that direction.
It almost felt like relief.
A damn pinky-swear. Who am I? I’m in a heap of feelings all over something so small. The logical part of my brain takes over and writes everything off from today. Ivy was being polite, and I was accommodating. I can’t dissect or read too much into this.
This whole thing is a fluke. She wasn’t supposed to stay here this long, and she’ll be going back to her real life soon. I’m guessing she’d get tired of being the ray of sunshine in a forecast of storms—which is me and all my bullshit.
My office line rings. I’m thankful for the interruption.
“This is Holland,” I answer.
“Holland,” my mom says on the other end. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Bea said you were shopping?” She says it like it’s a question.
Here we go.
“Of course she did. Yes, I was shopping.”
“For what?” she prods.
I bet Bea shared more than where I was. I wouldn’t put it past her or expect anything less. And if there’s one thing to know about my mother, it’s that she will not relent until you’ve divulged enough information.
“A guest needed a ride into town. She shopped. I basically drove her around.”
“She?” My mom’s voice is happy.
There it is.
“Yes, mom. She.” I wonder if she can hear the small smile I’m fighting. Mom usually can. The logical part of my brain is nowhere to be found.
“Okay, okay. I can take a hint. The reason I called was I think we landed on a week to stay at the lodge. Have time to look at your schedule?”
My body relaxes and I’m thankful for the sidestep into more comfortable territory.
“Always have time for you, Mom.”
Chapter Twenty-One
SLEEPING IN IS something I haven’t done in forever. I went to bed later than planned last night. First, I checked my email as promised, and immediately felt better. Besides the frantic emails from Jack, demanding I call him back, there wasn’t much there.
