“Then let me help if you need it, okay?”
I don’t even have time to answer when Jerry walks back in. “Okay, meet me here at eight in the morning tomorrow, and we can talk more about the process. For now, I have someone coming to bring dehumidifiers to start drying this place.”
“Thank you.”
He looks up at Holden, softening his features when he adds, “No need. Anything for him.”
Time passes as I ignore Holden’s gaze and keep myself busy, waiting for the water restoration company to get here. They set up some loud, transformer-looking machines everywhere and tell us to meet them here in the morning. They leave, and I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. I need to go to bed and put my feet up.
I can’t, though, and the group of people standing outside waiting for instructions is a good reminder of why. Everyone is huddled in their own little clusters, half-drenched from the rain, but there’s a sort of collective relief in the air now that things are starting to calm down.
Most of the salvageable things are packed in the backseats of vehicles, and the rain has finally slowed. It’s getting late.
Holden catches me staring at all our friends goofing around outside. “Trial by fire, I guess.”
He grins, but it’s more out of politeness than genuine amusement. “Thanks again for saving the day.”
“Well, let me keep saving it. Let me take you out for dinner.” His eyes flick to the group of people lingering outside, talking among themselves. It’s like they’ve all collectively decided they won’t leave until the job’s done, but they’ve gone from serious damage control mode to awkwardly lingering.
I bite back a laugh. “How? That's unsavable, unless you think pizza would work for everyone,” I reply, gesturing to the group. “I’m guessing you all are not keeping a bunch of random stuff in your vehicles, so why don’t we bring it to my house, and I’ll pay everyone in pizza and drinks?”
Holden raises an eyebrow. “You sure? You’re the one who’s been running around all day. I can tell you’re ready to collapse. They can go home.”
“I’m sure. Can’t pay them in money, but I’ll feed them,” I tease, flicking my eyes over to the group of guys starting to make their way toward the cars, as if they can already tell. “I owe them pizza for all the heavy lifting they did.”
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t mind a slice myself. And you know…maybe we could…talk?” The last part is low, barely a whisper, but it’s enough for me to feel the heat rise in my chest. We do need to talk.
I nod, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Sure. I’ll tell my friends if you want to tell yours.”
The drive home is a mix of anticipation and nervousness. I have no idea how these people are going to mingle. I hope it doesn’t turn into an interrogation.
In no time, we’re home, and I point to the shed in the back, where the group gets to work, carrying boxes and stacking them neatly in piles. I texted Ellie to schedule a time to announce the store closing for a week.
A week. That’s not too long for it to be closed, but it can put us in the hole. I’ll have to figure out a way to bring in some revenue in the meantime.
The boxes are set aside, and the pizzas arrive. Suddenly, my house is full of people, and it feels…good. Chaotic, but good.
Cara’s sitting on Manny’s lap, laughing at something he said. Livie is practically hollering about the fact that Mateo’s Holden ismyHolden. We really need to start using first and last names around here. Gus is talking to his sister, Allie, and her husband, Jake, laughing about something. Aspen is still deep in conversation with Mateo, Liam, and the other two friends—Lucas and Oliver—but suddenly, his attention shifts to me, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
“Well, well, well,” he drawls, holding up his hands like he’s trying to decide whether to make a dramatic remark. “You’re really gonna feed us all pizza? Nice. I’d say that’s a solid move to earn points with the friend group. Gotta love a woman who knows how to treat her people right.”
“Aspen,” Holden growls, making everyone but Aspen laugh.
“That’s the way to his heart, by the way,” Liam says. “Feeding him, that is.”
“Well, yeah,” Aspen replies, unashamed. “But I am also here for the entertainment value. I mean, come on. Holden’s over there practically shining like the sun, and Natalie’s trying not to look at him too much. Which—if I’m being honest—makes the whole situation super obvious.”
Holden freezes mid-sentence, looking like a deer caught in headlights. His shoulders tense, but he doesn’t say anything. He just glances at me, his lips pressed into a tight line.Your call, his eyes seem to say.
What do I say? Do I stand here in front of all these people and tell them yes? Yes, what?As wild as everything has been, Holden, I haven’t had a chance to really talk about what we said last night, but I also don’t want them to think I don’t care about you. Because I do.
I let out a slow breath and turn to Aspen. “You’re not wrong. My mom taught me the way to people’s hearts is through their belly. I couldn’t cook for everyone, but next time?”
Aspen grins. “Neeeext time,” he teases, elbowing Holden and making him grunt. “I’m just saying, someone here’s got a case of the feelings. And I’m not talking about me, folks.” He gestures to the group dramatically, like he’s delivering the punchline to some elaborate joke.
“You’re ridiculous.” Holden laughs, half-exasperated. They’re all so endearing, and I can see the groups merging before my eyes.
Before Aspen can launch into another round of teasing, Mateo steps in, giving him a playful shove. “Alright, enough with the shenanigans. We’re eating pizza, not having therapy sessions.”
