He cleared his throat, reminding me he’d asked a question. “Oh, uh, no. Thank you, though. I’m fine.” I took off the gloves he’d so kindly shared with me and put them on the console between us.
“So, uh, do you want to give me the address where I should drop you off?” The light reflecting off the snow lit up his face, making it apparent the man was handsome as hell. Who was this lumberjack-like hero?
“Tell him where you live.”
“Oh, uh, I guess that would help. I’m at 355 President Street. It’s an apartment building by the bay.”
“Yes. Give him your address and invite him to come up.”
“No fucking way.” I said it out loud, which was ridiculous.
“Huh? You okay? Do you need to go to the emergency room?” Burly and beautiful asked me.
“I’m fine, really. I’m just a little frazzled from the accident.” I reached up and touched the bandage on the side of my head. It was no excuse for what I’d said, but I had no idea how to explain what the hell was going on in my brain.
“I’m not going to shut up, Avery.”
The rest of the ride was silent until Holden pulled in front of my building. “Thank you, Holden. I appreciate the ride.”
He nodded. “Do you need a ride back out there tomorrow? I mean, to deal with your car.”
“It’s not my car, actually; it belongs to my best friend. I’m not sure how to tell her I wrecked it. She and our other roommate won’t be back until after New Years, so I’ll have time to figure it out. But thank you for the ride home.”
“Take him up on it. Don’t be an idiot.”
I wanted to bash my head against the dashboard of Holden’s truck, but I didn’t think that would help the throbbing headache I was getting. That voice was fucking killing me.
“Look, if you need a ride out to that spot, I don’t mind taking you. Here’s my business card. I’m glad you’re okay, Avery.” He extended his hand with a business card, and as I peered into those stunningly beautiful blue eyes, my breath caught in my throat.
I took a second to try to calm down. “I’ve already been a burden to you, Holden. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“Take the damn card.”
I grabbed the card and hurried into my building, taking the elevator up to my floor. I got off and let myself into the apartment I shared with Brooke and Kyle. What I didn’t expect to see was a young woman standing in front of the windows that faced the bay.
“Who are you?”
She didn’t appear to be threatening, but I didn’t know her. How the fuck had she entered our apartment?
“It doesn’t matter who I am. What matters is what you’re going to do next.”
Her voice seemed to float on the air, but I still didn’t know who the fuck she was.
“And why are you here? Are you a friend of Brooke’s?”
The woman smiled. “I’m not a friend of Brooke’s, but I think she’s fantastic. She tells you the truth, Avery, and that’s what you need. Now, let’s talk.”
“What’s your name? I think I’m owed that, at least.”
I wasn’t afraid of the woman for some reason. There was something about her that seemed friendly. Call me crazy, but I really wanted to hear what she had to say.
“I’m Happy. Are you okay, Avery? Youdidhit your head pretty hard in the car.”
I chuckled. “I did hit my head, Happy, which is why I think you’re here. Do I need to go to the hospital?”
She giggled. “I think you’re fine. Headaches? Puking?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Nope, but I am tired. How did you get into my apartment?”
