Page 180 of Holding On To Good

Except, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was being unfair to her, too. Going along with her initial rules only to try and change them now. Surprising her with this dinner. Wanting so much more now after claiming all he wanted was her in any way he could get her.

As if feeling her attention on him, Urban looked up. He smiled—either at her or something Verity said—all content and relaxed and happy.

Willow was not. Wasn’t even one of those things. She was nervous and irritated and riddled with guilt.

Nervous because she had no idea what he was going to ask of her next.

Irritated because he was trying to change the rules halfway through the game.

Guilty because while Urban absolutely had the right to want more, she was already giving him all she could.

And she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be enough.

She straightened as he stepped into the living room, Bella racing ahead of him to re-greet Willow as if when the dog went outside, she also went into a time machine that made Willow’s presence there shiny and new.

“Sorry about that,” he said, sliding his phone into his pocket as he shut the door. Walking toward her, he frowned. It was as if the man knew it looked damned sexy on him so he employed it with abandon. “You didn’t have to clean up.”

“Oh, but I did,” she said, busying herself with picking up the dishcloth and re-wiping the counter she’d already wiped off. “I really, really did.”

She had to do something to even the playing field. He’d been so thoughtful—getting her favorite wine and dessert, buying flowers—and from the start she’d acted annoyed and suspicious.

Only because she was annoyed and suspicious.

But those feelings, like so many where Urban was concerned, were to be dealt with later. When she had time to dissect and analyze them in a rational, reasonable manner. When she had some distance from her guilt and his expectations.

For now, she’d focus on being grateful. Accept this date for what it seemed to be, what she hoped it was. A sincere, kind, thoughtful gesture.

“How’s Verity?” she asked.

“She’s good,” Urban said, but it was hesitant and he was still frowning.

She set the dishcloth down. “That tone doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in your answer. Is everything okay?”

He nodded. “She’s just been off lately.”

“Off how?”

“Quiet. At least for her. Miles thinks some kid broke her heart.”

“What kid?”

“Reed Walsh.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Willow said, holding her hand out to stop the very slow, very scant and yet still shocking information he was giving her. “Reed Walsh? Are you sure?”

Reed worked for Patton at The Cockeyed Chameleon, and while both he and Hayden seemed to think he was a good kid, he wasn’t exactly the type of boy Verity usually crushed on.

“Were they dating?” Willow asked. “What did he do?”

And, most importantly, why hadn’t Willow known any of this?

She and Verity had always been close. Except for when Willow had been with Caleb. But even then, Verity knew Willow would always be there for her.

Didn’t she?

Urban shrugged. “Not sure. She hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

“Well, what did she say when you asked her about it?”

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