Page 58

As she set to work, beating the mixture and forgetting her worries, she felt better. This was her home. This was her safe space. When she was here, Holly didn’t need to fear anyone.

***

FORTY MINUTES LATER, Holly sat at the table, two trays of gooey, sweet brownies cooling in front of her. She had a large mug of coffee in her hands and sipped on it as she watched the kitchen rush slow after the chaos of lunchtime.

If only she could stay here, everything would be fine. She wouldn’t have to think about Eric lurking somewhere on the station or Avel and his lies.

Holly grabbed a warm brownie and stuffed half of it into her mouth. She chewed furiously as she tried to relax. The sweet, gooey mixture coated her mouth, and her frustration faded.

“Are any of those going spare?” Sally sat opposite her and nodded at the brownies.

“That whole tray is for you. It’s a thank you for letting me in here when you’re so busy.”

“You can come here anytime. We wouldn’t be half as popular if it wasn’t for the amazing food you create.” Sally poured her own mug of coffee and selected a brownie. She took a bite and nodded. “Perfection, as always.”

Holly continued to eat her own brownie and tried to ignore Sally’s curious gaze. She did need to talk to somebody. As hard as she’d tried, Avel’s words kept swirling in her head. How could he be so cruel? After everything they’d been through, to tell her it meant nothing.

“I imagine you could eat that whole tray of brownies and still feel terrible,” Sally said. “What happened?”

“My terrible taste in men happened,” Holly said. “I’ve mentioned Eric to you before, haven’t I?”

Sally’s top lip curled. “As if I could forget that name. What’s pencil dick done?”

Holly smiled. “Actually, he rescued me. He was leading the rescue team that got me off the crashed ship.”

“Oh, so he’s done something good for once.” Sally twisted her mouth to the side. “First time for everything.”

“Not really. He’s still a massive idiot. Eric was rude and reminded me how awful our relationship had been. He’s staying here for a bit until his troop leaves.”

“If he dares come near this kitchen, I’ll stab him with a fork. No, several forks. That guy is bad for you, Holly. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of getting back with him.”

“Absolutely not.” Holly shook her head. “Seeing him brought back old memories. I don’t want him in my life. It’s taken me a long time to get past the way he treated me.”

Sally played with a loose chocolate chip on the table. “Maybe you haven’t quite gotten over everything he did to you.”

Holly’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”

“I love you to the nearest moon and back, but you play safe with your heart. You don’t date, and you never talk to any guy you’re interested in. It seems like you don’t think love’s for you.”

Holly swallowed. “I don’t date because nobody asks me out.”

“You could date if you wanted to. You take double shifts whenever the opportunity comes up. You spend your spare time working on your business or running courses for people. You don’t give yourself time to find love.”

Holly’s bottom lip wobbled. Eric had made her afraid to find love. Not that she’d had it with him, but she’d closed the door on that possibility because she was so scared to be hurt again.

Sally reached for Holly’s hand. “I want to see you head over heels in love with some gorgeous guy who treats you like a princess. I want someone to make you feel so good about yourself that you could dance through this kitchen naked and not care who watched.”

Holly choked out a laugh. “I don’t think anyone could make me feel like that.” Her thoughts turned to Avel. He had made her feel good about herself. If only everything he’d said had been true.

Sally’s eyes narrowed, and she selected another brownie. “What else is going on? Sure, you met Eric again, but it’s more than that. Does it have something to do with the mysterious ‘we’ you mentioned?”

Holly hadn’t mentioned Avel to anybody. “You know what you said about me hiding from love? Well, for a moment, I wondered if I had found somebody. Somebody who was good for me. Maybe even somebody who made me confident enough to dance around naked.”

A huge smile brightened Sally’s face. “Who is it? Tell me everything.”

“I made a mistake. I should never have gotten involved with him. He’s the same as Eric, maybe worse. He used a different line to reel me in and make me think I was special.”

Sally was quiet for a moment as she finished her brownie. “He hurt you.”