Chase holds up his hands. ‘Be my guest. Show me what you got, Palmer.’
Hollie runs her fingers through her hair and moves to one end of the table. She chalks the end of her stick. When she leans down, I forget to breathe.
I don’t quite believe it when she pockets two balls on the break.
Chase looks unmoved. ‘Beginner’s luck,’ he says. ‘What’s it to be?’ he asks her, because she’s sent one stripe and one solid into the pocket.
She surveys the table. ‘I’ll go stripes,’ she says, and moves into position.
My lips twitch as she pockets another two balls in quick succession.
I raise my brow at my friend. Chase responds in kind and pockets two of his own.
Hollie doesn’t break a sweat, just coolly goes about her business. Another stripe finds the pocket and Reyes whistles.
‘What the helly?’ Nicole blurts, and it occurs to me that Reyes has got his arms around her waist. I thought they were on another break.
I cross my arms and watch closely.
For the first time, Chase is pissed, and I’m digging it. He takes his next shot and misses. I resist the urge to punch the air. I get that we’re supposed to be friends, but right now, I feel like it wouldn’t be outta place to bow down and worship my girl, because she is killing it.
She bends at the waist. Within a couple of minutes, she’s demolished him, pocketing the 8-ball and finishing the game.
I break out into a grin. I can’t help it. Chase looks like he doesn’t know what just happened. I go to Hollie, snake my arm around her waist and kiss her lips in celebration. My chest bursts with pride, and when I pull away, she’s blushing.
Then Chase comes over.
‘Where’d you learn to play pool like that?’
She bites her lip. ‘University. In England. I got taught by some guys who had some skills.’
He holds out his hand and she shakes it. ‘Not bad, Palmer.’
‘Not bad?’ I repeat. ‘She whooped your ass.’
‘You wanna rematch?’ he shoots at her.
Hollie shrugs and I pull her closer. ‘I’m good. Think I’ll just bask in my victory for a while.’
Chase rolls his eyes and walks away toward the bar.
‘Oh dear,’ she says in that British way of hers.
‘Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for somebody to come along and do that?’ I tell her. ‘You’re my hero.’
I kiss her again, slowing it down a little this time. My mouth lingers on hers. ‘You might wanna finish your drink,’ I whisper against her lips when I pull away.
‘Why?’ she asks innocently.
‘’Cause I’m taking you upstairs.’
When we’re outside, I take Hollie by the hand and lead her around the side of Scotch & Smoke and keep going until we’re at the set of stairs that lead to my room. We don’t talk, and I wonder if she can tell that I’m nervous.
Hollie keeps hold of my hand as I lead her all the way up the steps that snake up the side of the building to my door. I unlock it and step inside, switch on the dim light and hold open the door for her. There’s a small smile on her face as she steps onto the wooden floor boards.
She looks around. The bed’s unmade. I don’t remember the last time I slept in it. Bringing Hollie up here was not in my playbook for today.
Yet here we are.
