“My sister was too cowardly to tell me she had feelings for my fiancé. I don’t know what’s happened back there, but the thought of seeing Brett again makes me ill.”
Zack let out a heavy breath. “I sure hope I don’t end up spending Christmas in jail.”
Holly laughed at his comment,but Zack meant it. He wasn’t sure if her ex showed his face in town that Zack wouldn’t punch it.
“Thank you for lightening the mood.” She brought their clasped hands to her cheek. “Your support means so much to me.”
“I willalwaysbe here for you.” Zack said the words simply and didn’t care about showing his powerful feelings.
She rewarded him with a pepperoni kiss. He could just eat her up. Fortunately, his phone pinged with a text. It was from McKenzie.
McKenzie
Have you asked her yet?
Zack pulled a face.
“What’s wrong?” Holly asked.
“The Donor Dinner is tomorrow night.”
“Yes, it is.” Her expression turned flirty. “And I know, for a fact, that you don’t have a date. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t asked anyone, especially since you’re a guest of honor.”
“I didn’t invite anyone else because I wanted to takeyou.” Zack brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “But I didn’t want to take you as a plus one. I want to take you as my girlfriend.”
Something delicious and encouraging flashed across her face. “Is that what I am?”
“Well, I’ve wanted it for a long time, but I didn’t want to pressure you.”
The fire in her eyes dimmed a little but not completely. “I’ll admit I’ve been conflicted about getting involved.”
Zack wanted to say she hadn’t seemed conflicted when they were kissing, but he didn’t know how she might take it so he kept his mouth shut. If he had learned nothing else from having three older sisters, it was the importance of men biting their tongues when they were unsure.
“We can move as slow as you want.” He winced. “Assuming you would like to give us a try.”
Holly tilted her head. “It scares me a little, but I can’t think of anyone I want to take a risk with more than you.”
Her words sent an incredible rush of satisfaction through Zack, and he had to kiss her again, but he kept it short.
“I need to warn you it’s a dressy affair. Not formal like the Christmas ball will be but fancier than anything I saw in your wardrobe when we helped you to move in.” Zack glanced out the window. “And the weather is looking like it could get pretty ugly.”
“Kathy offered to lend me one of her dresses if I got asked.” Holly arched a brow. “Have you been talking to her about me?”
His face went hot, but he didn’t want honesty to ever be an issue between them. So, he shrugged and said simply, “The fearsome threesome. Ever since we got old enough to date, we’ve always had to give our approval. They approve of you.”
Holly rubbed her throat like she had earlier when she was getting emotional.
“I hope you realize how much you’ve come to mean to the people of this town.” Zack brought their clasped hands to his mouth, and he kissed her knuckles. “From the first moment I met you at camp, I knew you were special. I wish I’d realized then that we would lose touch with each other. I’d have made a greater effort to keep in contact.”
“Me too.”
“So, will you come with me?” Zack decided to play it safe. “As my tentative girlfriend?”
Holly blinked, a myriad of emotions flooding her face, a mixture of fear and bliss. “Yes.”
“Then I think you had better call Kathy about that dress.”
“I believe I should.” But she kissed him instead of picking up her phone.
