“Yes.” Rafe opened the passenger side door and set his food on the seat. “If you plan on followin’ me, I won’t have time to talk.”
He closed the door and turned to look at Holt.
“I’ll make you a deal.”
Rafe narrowed his eyes. “A deal? For what?”
“I won’t come harass you at work tonight, but you need to pick a day when we can meet up this week. I don’t care where or when, but we need to talk.”
“And then you’ll leave?”
“Coyote Ridge?” Holt grinned. “Ah. Probably not.”
“Why the fuck not?” he asked as he walked around to the driver’s door.
Holt followed. “Because I happen to like the people here. One in particular. And until I see where that might lead…”
Rafe spun around. “What do you mean ‘where that might lead’?”
“It’s simple. I like her. She likes me. I’d like to see where it goes.”
Rafe’s hands balled into fists. “Don’t fuck with her.”
“Awfully defensive for a guy who doesn’t give a shit.”
“She’s my friend.”
“Coulda fooled me. She seemed bothered by the fact that you flaunted Ivy in her face last night.”
“The hell I did.”
Holt’s eyebrows rose, which gave Rafe a moment to recall that encounter. Specifically, the way Ivy had clung to his arm like he was her life jacket and she didn’t want to drown.
Fine. He could see how that might’ve given Bailey the wrong impression.
“It’s not like that with Ivy.”
“I know.”
“How the fuck do you know?”
Holt stepped forward. “Because I know the look you get when you like someone. I’ve seen it before.”
Rafe swallowed, hating himself for making it so easy for Holt.
“And I’ve seen the way you look at Bailey.” His voice lowered. “What I don’t understand is why didn’t you take the chance?”
“That’s none of your goddamn business.”
Holt’s expression sobered. “Just know something, Rafe. I have no intention of hurting Bailey.”
“Go fuck yourself,” he hissed. Holt was baiting him. He was pushing him to see if he’d break. Rafe hated him for that. More importantly, he hated himself for wanting to go to Bailey and … and… Rafe wasn’t even sure what he wanted because the thought of losing Bailey to Holt was as unbearable as the thought of losing Holt to Bailey.
And wasn’t that just righteously fucked up?
“Nor do I intend to be hurt by her. You had your chance.”
“Then I wouldn’t tell her about…”
