Page 60 of The Kidnapped

“We’re having drinks right now,” Raleigh pointed out.

“I know. I think I need to go, though.”

“Hollis, what’s going on?” she asked a little louder than she’d intended.

“I wanted to ask you out, Raleigh. On a date, not just drinks. I didn’t have the guts to ask you over the phone, so I texted that we should have drinks. I’ve been sitting here wondering how in the hell I’d manage to ask you out when I can’t stop talking about all my shit. Then, you suggested that I need therapy, which I’m not mad about or anything, but I don’t think asking someone out right after they tell you to go to a shrink is the best chance to get a date, either. So, now, I think I’d rather just go home and try to get myself out of whatever funk I’m in right now.”

“You wanted to ask me out?” Raleigh leaned back.

“I like you,” Hollis replied. “It’s dumb. I know. How we met, and what we both have going on… But my mom told me I should go for it, and Kenna said–”

“Kenna?”

“We’re friends now, I think,” Hollis explained. “She figured it out, that I liked you, and she, too, told me that I should tell you.”

“I didn’t know, Hollis,” Raleigh replied.

“Yeah, well… Now you do. And I’m embarrassed, tired, and about a hundred other emotions right now.” Hollis reached for her purse, which was next to her in the booth, pulled out her wallet and some cash, and deposited it on the table. “That should cover the drinks and the food. I’m just going to go.”

“Hollis, wait. Let’s talk about this. Don’t just go.”

“Would you say yes, Raleigh?” she asked. “If I asked you, would you say yes?”

Raleigh looked into Hollis’s eyes, which were sad and clearly exhausted.

“No,” she replied. “But not because I wouldn’t want to. I–”

“It’s okay. I understand,” Hollis said.

“How can you? You won’t let me finish.”

“Does the reason really matter, though?” Hollis asked, slipping out of the booth. “Don’t drink both of those and then drive home, okay?”

“I got the other one for you,” Raleigh replied softly, looking down at the beer in her hand that she hadn’t yet touched. “Hollis, can you–”

“I’m sorry. I know this is rude… and a lot. I just… I thought I could, but I can’t, so I need to go.”

With that, Hollis left.

CHAPTER 20

“I understand,” Kenna told her. “Your mom’s health comes first.” She looked off then as if she were thinking of something. “Hey, next time you see Rip, will you tell her that I put your mom ahead of the story? I think it shows good growth on my part.”

“And what, you’d like a reward?” Hollis teased as they walked down the hall with posters of Kenna and guest commentators and hosts they’ve had on the show over the years lining the walls.

“Yes, I would. Ripley gives the best rewards,” Kenna replied.

“I miss rewards,” Hollis stated without thinking.

“Oh, yeah?” Kenna laughed. “When was the last time you were rewarded?”

“It’s been a while,” she replied.

Then, Hollis smiled as they made it to the cube farm, which was what they called the large group of cubicles on the floor. They were talking about sex, and she didn’t feel awkward. She’d never really had a conversation about sex with a friend before. Yes, technically, Kenna was also her boss, but the woman never made it feel like that to her. Still, Hollis couldn’t help but wonder if they’d continue being friendly like this after she stopped working for Kenna, which could be any day. This wasn’t Hollis’s dream job; she wanted to work at a library again. And now that she didn’t have a job in Vancouver to go back to, she’d need to find something permanent either here or there, which meant she’d have to make decisions she’d been putting off sooner rather than later.

“So, no Raleigh, I take it?” Kenna asked. “Or have you not gotten there yet? Taking things slow?”

“Oh, no.” Hollis laughed dryly. “Not getting there ever is more like it.”

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