My head jerks back. “A book? Really?”
She fights an embarrassed grin as she nods. “The storyline is incredible, but the narrators make it even better.”
“Can I listen to it?”
“Seriously?”
I shrug. “Yeah, why not? Couldn’t hurt to try it.”
Gia grabs her headphones from where she chucked them earlier and cues up the scene. She hands them over to me to put on and then presses play.
I only make it a few minutes into it before I rip off the headphones and pounce.
Gia squeals as my mouth descends across the skin of her neck, then asks, “So I take it you liked it?”
“I’m going to need you to recommend a few more when we’re done.”
CHAPTER 11
Gia
“What the hell do you wear to a lunch date?” I mutter to myself as I dig through my suitcase. I packed way more than was necessary, since I had no idea how long I would be staying, but it’s created an overwhelming amount of options to choose from.
My room at Buckleberry Inn is a disaster. There are clothes strewn all over the place, unpaired shoes line the wall, and my electronics are scattered across every available surface.
When I checked in yesterday, my stuff exploded haphazardly everywhere. I couldn’t find anything that I needed because I didn’t pack with a single thought of organization at Holt’s house. I couldn’t risk taking my time. Otherwise, I’d have come up with too many reasons why I should stay with Holt and the girls.
It was for the best. I can’t stay with Holt while I try to decide if dating him is a good idea. He’d overwhelm me far beyond what I could handle, and I wouldn’t have a single logical thought while under the same roof.
No, this is better.
Although I hadn’t factored in how hard it would be to saygoodbye to the girls. They didn’t want me to leave any more than I did. Their little faces when we pulled up to the Inn were devastating.
Thinking about it now still makes me sad.
I snatch my phone from the bed to distract myself. I have thirty minutes before I’m supposed to meet Holt for lunch. We figured this was the best way to discuss our next steps without needing someone to watch Lauren and Leah.
Having mind-blowing sex forced me to acknowledge that something is brewing between us, no matter what I try to tell myself, but there are too many obstacles to throw caution to the wind.
I’m not normally a think-before-I-act type of girl, so this feels a little odd. I have yet to explore what it is about Holt that makes me act out of character—most likely self-preservation. If I look too deeply, I could find emotions I’m not ready to face when it comes to this guy. It’s better for everyone involved if I do my best to shove those feelings aside.
I search for outfit inspiration on social media and land on a cropped sweater and jeans. It’s comfortable and not too warm. I’d rather not be sweating uncomfortably in the restaurant.
Realizing I’ve spent way too much time sitting on my bed in my underwear, I rush through getting dressed and head out the door.
Buckleberry Inn is an easy walk to just about everywhere in Pine Creek Falls. Thankfully, my rental car wasn’t damaged after the ice incident, but I’m terrified to drive on the roads now. They’ve been cleaned off at this point, but given how I arrived in town, I don’t trust myself anymore.
I hate being the damsel in distress, so I’ll do whatever it takes to avoid it, even if that means walking in freezing cold weather.
I’ll have to get over my issues by tomorrow though. Ifound an Airbnb on the edge of town that was more affordable long-term than the Inn. Unfortunately, that means driving everywhere.
One street over from the Daily Grind is a cute little restaurant called Marcie’s. It leans a little heavier into a café-style building but has a full menu for lunch and dinner. I haven’t been yet, but Gwen told me about it at the Grind the other day.
A little chime jingles as I walk through the door. The hostess is an older woman who smiles warmly when I get up to the stand. “How can I help you, hun?”
“I’m actually looking for…” I glance around the adorably pink room with an eclectic mix of art on the walls and find Holt waving at me. “That guy right there. Thank you.”
“Good for you, honey. I’d let that man eat whatever he wanted in my bed.”
