Page 17 of Sturdy & Dirty

“Well, well. What a surprise,” he drawled, his smile taking on a nasty edge. “Never imagined seeing you here. A bit high-brow for you, isn’t it?”

Holly was quick to answer. Quick enough that the curse that wanted to leave my mouth, didn’t have time.

“I was thinking the same thing about you, honestly.”

He laughed a humorless chuckle.

“No, I mean, it’s just… I know how much you love Dave & Buster’s. That seems more your style. But I don’t think you ever dressed up like that when we were dating.” He gave her an appreciative glance that both made my skin crawl and made me want to lunge at him. “Niiice,” he said. “Very nice.”

Fucking hell, I had never been so close to losing it. The urge to defend her was in my blood. No one deserved this small man’s ridicule, but especially not her. It would be so easy to plant my fist in his sneering little face and shut him up.

Instead, I let my arm slip around her waist, bringing her into my side, reminding her she wasn’t alone.

It was either that or possibly end this date in the county jail. Which I’d too gladly do.

But was it my place to step in for her? Did she want that? I didn’t know enough about their history yet to intervene.

I’d have to follow her lead… even if my heart wanted to be her warrior.

To my relief, Holly leaned into me, her shoulders straightening, her chin lifting as she stared him down.

Blooming again. Because of me?

“You got the effort you deserved, Rex,” she said, her voice level. “As you can see, my new man gets the gold standard because he treats me that way. Something you’ll never understand.”

Her man. Fuck yeah, that’s what I was. For tonight, and for as long as she’d have me.

Because something had become crystal clear to me already: this woman—with her playful wit, teasing humor, and gracious heart—was everything I wanted. Every moment I was with her sent my doubts about what could or could not be flying out the window.

Rex hadn’t looked my way once, but now he did.

“Oh. You’re… with her?” His tone managed to be both judgmental and dismissive at the same time. “I thought you were just part of the line.”

“No, I’m definitely with her.” I let my voice snap hard, just in case he thought to get mouthy again. “Now, if you don’t mind, you're interrupting our plans.”

His eyes narrowed like he wanted to say something more, but he never did.

Holly turned to his date with a genuine smile. “I love your dress, by the way. It’s beautiful, and you look gorgeous in it.”

With his jaw hanging in shock, we turned to follow the hostess to the back of the restaurant where it was quieter and the seats were better. My body buzzed with the unspent urge to put Rex in his place, but my heart soared at the idea that Holly liked being mine.

Were they just words, what she’d said to him?

She was silent as we walked, and when I glanced her way, her expression was grim, lips pressed into a tight line. I could only hope the run-in with her ex didn’t ruin the surprise waiting for her at our booth.

Ivy told me about a new flower shop in town that could use some business, and I’d sure given it some. Damn near bought them out of roses—all colors—so I could fill our private booth with them.

I hoped it brought the smile back to my girl’s face.

The hostess stopped at a booth that took up an entire corner of the room, turning to grin at me before easing the curtains back to reveal my surprise.

Holly gasped, her face slowly morphing into that miraculous smile that melted me to the core.

“Austin,” she breathed, and the way she said my name was like a brand upon my heart. I wanted to hear it like that, from her mouth, when I had her in my bed, beneath me, our bodies melding into one. “Look what you’ve done,” she continued. “This is… this is just beautiful!”

Before I could guess what she’d do next, she turned, launching herself into my arms as hers banded around my waist. Her cheek pressed against my chest, completely stealing my breath. She felt perfect there. Like the missing piece to the puzzle of my heart.

My hand came up to cradle her head, and she only squeezed tighter. Like she wanted to burrow into me.

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