He squeezes my shoulder once in passing before he moves in the direction of the entrance.
My eyes scan the room yet again, but it doesn’t take long for someone else to say my name.
“Hey, Lexi,” Harlow’s voice breaks my daze.
My eyes sideline to her. “Hey, nice to see you here.”
Her welcoming face returns the sentiment. “Well, since my boyfriend has invested in this place and wants to do nothing with it, then I have to make an appearance.” She’s half sarcastic.
“Have to get his money’s worth, right?”
“Totally. I love everything about the design of this place.”
The compliment causes my face to brighten even more. “You had the whole tour of everything, including the bedrooms?”
“The master suite, oh my, gorgeous. I’m jealous of whoever books that,” she gushes.
“Thanks, Harlow. It’s nice to hear that. I mean, I’ve had a few new clients reach out even here for Lake Spark, but it’s even better to hear from friends and family or at least, you know, from Holden’s circle.”
She looks at me amused. “Yeah…” She sips from her wine glass. “Heard that ship is sailing into calm seas. He also seems extremely happy. I’ve also noticed his eyes keep tracking you down. Saw it when Stone and I briefly chatted with him, and well, right now, he seems to have a hard look that’s a cross between possessive and sentimental.Andhe’s walking over here. Ciao.”
My entire body thrums with excitement because it’s a type of bliss unknown to me when someone in your life appears blatantly happy and it’s your doing. Plus, he is extremely hot when he’s wearing dark jeans with a white button-down and blue blazer. I could melt purely from seeing his image. Even though he strolls my way, it surprises me when he stands next to me to lean in to whisper in my ear. Everyone in the room can see us, and we very much appear as a couple, especially when he places his palm on my lower back to keep me close.
“Everyone is raving,” he reminds me.
“I think so too. Oh hey, why is the principal of Lake Spark Academy here? Figured she would be last on your invite list.”
Holden chuckles low. “Because it’s strategy. First off, she’s on the list of the essential Lake Spark people who consider themselves crucial to the running of our small town. Plus, I need to schmooze her for my kids.”
I snicker a laugh. “Very smart.”
“Want to get some air before I give the toasts?” he suggests.
“Sure.”
He tips his head in the direction of the hall to the bar. It’s the closest room with a door to the back of the inn for a view of the lake and the patio. We step on the stones from the patio to the bench swing that gives us a little more privacy.
Facing one another, with the sound of the party distant in the background, my heart beats fast.
“Lexi…”
What kind of conversation is this going to be?
“I love you.” It just bursts out of my mouth without thought.
We both realize what words are now in the air, unable to be forgotten.
Maybe that’s why Holden stares at me, frozen.
Which only makes my body weaken from fear.
22
HOLDEN
Lexi’s eyes twinkle, and although petrified about what she just said because she doesn’t think I was expecting it, it was honest, and I’m not surprised. There was a shift yesterday in bed with one another. The air is heavy, but it feels as though we can only lift up.
Still, I blow out a long breath, and my eyes swim side to side.
