Page 23 of Holding Holly

Holly nods, her shoulders unclenching a bit as she skims the menu. I hope I haven’t overwhelmed her or scared her off. I hope she understands that our methods of keeping scum out of our area are perhaps a bit different, but she is safer for it.

I hope she’ll stay long enough to realize that this town could be very good for her.

Because I am already ten million percent certain I need to dedicate my life to being good for her.

12

HOLLY

I’ve never felt this intense while simply ordering a turkey and old cheddar on rye. My ears are buzzing. My fingertips are vibrating.

How could James be so completely nonchalant about my father being involved in a robbery where there was a shooting of a first responder? As a police officer himself, I assumed he would be extra offended. Which is why I was never going to bring up the whole sorry mess.

I mean, yes, he’s right: I had nothing to do with it. I was eight years old, for goodness’ sake! But still… I feel like that’s the kind of nastiness that clings to a person like the scent of an old sweater that’s been stored in the attic for years. A dank stench that comes from being close to creepiness.

And yet James seems completely unbothered, joking with Corina as she takes our orders, sipping his coffee while gazing out the window, waving to people.

How could such an incredible man be so caring, and so focused on me?

Maybe it’s this wild connection. The way I feel in my bones that we should be together forever. No matter how crazy it is that we’ve known each other for less than a week, but he’s still welcomed me into his home without a second thought.

My phone beeps, and I look down to see a text.

Mom: Peter says it’s fine if you come here for the holidays. I can send you money for the plane ticket in a couple of hours, if you tell me how much it’ll be. You’d have to sleep on the couch, but we’ll make do. He’s working a new job, so won’t be around much.

I look up to notice that James isn’t reading my phone at all, even though it’s angled so that he could easily get a glimpse if he wanted.

“Anything urgent?” he asks mildly.

Something deep in my soul clicks into place. I could tell Jamesanythingright now and he would stay calm about it.

Text from an ex-boyfriend? James would probably lend me money to send him a Christmas gift if I asked.

Mom wanting me to fly to Ireland for the holidays? James would probably buy me the ticket and drive me to the airport.

I already know that if I were sick, he’d bundle me up and feed me chicken soup. If I got hurt, he’d carry me to that medic that shares the City Hall space. I think even if I decided that I needed to move to a larger city, he’d be sad about it, but he’d immediately get on the phone, helping me to line up a safe apartment.

Nobody has ever treated me this well.

It’s not treatment I’ve ever expected or gotten from anyone. But here it is… All wrapped up in a tall, gorgeous man who makes me laugh and has as his life purpose keeping a beautifully wholesome town safe and happy.

He doesn’t even seem concerned that his employers might not approve of our relationship, although I’m completely fine keeping things on the down low until I’m a bit older and people get to know me here. Maybe once I have a track record as a hard worker and a good neighbor they’ll know that I’m trying my best to be the best partner for him that I can be.

My hand darts across the table to clasp his. “Mom invited me to go to Ireland for the holidays.”

James nods. “Okay, the nearest international airport is in Charlotte. It’s a bit of a drive, but?—”

“I’m not going.” I grin, slipping my fingers through his. “I’m sorry… After you heard about Dad, I didn’t think there was any way you’d be able to get past that, certainly not after only knowing me a few days.”

“Holly.” His deep, gruff voice softens whenever he says my name. “I hope it’s super clear that my feelings for you are even stronger than my feelings for pie.”

We burst out laughing as Corina arrives with our sandwiches, and she rolls her eyes. “And that’s saying something, honey. Trust me. I know him and pie.”

The second she’s gone again, he grips my hand, pulling me halfway across the table for a swift kiss. “What I’m saying is, I’m here for you, baby. Anything you want. Anything you need.”

We sit back, and I sip my coffee, nodding. “I was thinking about what you need, too. And how it’s going to take some time for the town to get to know me before I’m considered…you know. Acceptable girlfriend material for you. Like, I’m completely fine keeping things a bit quiet for now.”

He cocks his head to the side, completely ignoring the sandwich in front of him.Wow, that’s a first. “I’m not going to hide you, Holly. If we’re together, we’re together. I want the entire world to know. Hell, I’ll drive around with my head hanging out the window, yelling to anyone who will listen that I have the most beautiful, sweet girlfriend on the entire planet.”

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