Page 68 of Going All In

“This was always my reading area. You could probably tell from all the books.” She gives a little shrug, but she’s smiling. “There used to be a light in here.”

“What were your favorites?” I ask, stepping toward the bookshelf. It’s lined with mystery novels, everything from the Hardy Boys to James Patterson.

The true crime addiction makes more sense now.

“This one.” Holly pulls a book off the shelf. “It’s a classic. From what I can remember, this was the first mystery book my mom ever bought me. And…” She spreads her arms as wide as she can in the small space. “I was hooked.”

She holds the book out to me, and I take it. It’s a hardback, the pages yellowed with age. I read the title out loud. “Nancy Drew and the Secret of the Old Clock.”

Holly nods. “It’s the very first Nancy Drew book. Have you ever read them?”

I haven’t. “I’ve read the Hardy Boys, but not Nancy Drew. Should I read this?”

“Absolutely. Take that copy. Let me know what you think.”

I turn it over in my hands. It’s in good shape, but fragile. “This one seems pretty old, Holly. I don’t want to ruin it.” I flip it open to check when this one was published, but it’s too dark in this room to see.

I step into the hallway for better light and open the book to the first page, Holly standing next to me.

There’s a name inside the front cover. “Who’s Marcy Monroe?” I ask.

Holly reaches out to take the book from me. “That was my mom’s maiden name.” She runs her finger over it. “This was her set from when she was a kid. I’d forgotten.” She raises her eyes and looks around at the hallway wistfully, taking in the rooms we can see from where we are. “There’s just so much of her here. I can’t let him sell this place.”

23

HOLLY

I’m feeling so guilty as Maddox drives us back to the hotel where the rehearsal dinner is being held. At this point, the dinner is probably over. I hate that I ruined this for my dad and Judy.

When Dad mentioned off-handedly that he was planning to sell the house, something snapped inside me. I can’t explain it, even now. I just knew I needed to get to the house and be close to Mom. It felt like it might be my last chance. Everything is changing so quickly, and I need it all to slow down.

I lean my head against Maddox’s shoulder. “How did you know where to find me?”

He brushes a kiss over my forehead. “I know you, babe. Better than you think. When your dad told me he’d mentioned selling the house, I knew you’d gone there. I just asked him for a key and the address.”

There’s no one left when Maddox and I finally make it back to the dinner. We look around the space, where a cleaning crew is wiping down tables.

“Crap. I guess I missed it.” Guilt settles heavily in my stomach. I didn’t mean to ruin their rehearsal dinner. At least we’d eaten before I left, but I missed the toasts. I’d wanted to say something about my dad, about how lucky the two of us are to have Judy in our lives.

Maddox looks at his phone. “It sounds like everyone just headed back home.” He raises his eyes to me. “Do you want to a ride?”

I know the wedding is tomorrow, and I’ll need most of the day to get ready. I know I need a good night’s sleep. And I know this isn’t what good girls do. But I don’t care.

I shake my head. “I want to get a room.”

Maddox looks at me quizzically.

“With you,” I clarify. I lock my gaze on his and watch his pupils dilate.

Maddox pulls on the back of his neck. “Are you sure this is what you want, babe? I know it’s been an emotional day. And I know the last time we—” He breaks off, scratching at his hair. “Fuck, Holly. I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you. I don’t want to do that to you, and I don’t think I can go through that again.”

I cringe slightly. He’s right. The last time we were together was after Jared showed up at my apartment. It was hot and heavy, driven by lust and the need to chase Jared out of my head. But this is different.

This time, I’m not coming to him for comfort, needing a friend. This time, I know exactly what I asking for.

“I’m sure. Please,” I whisper.

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