Page 39 of Tangled in Vows

I swallow my nerves at the close proximity.

Everything’s okay. He won’t do anything I don’t want him to do.

Maybe that’s the problem because there are many things you want him to do.

My nipples tighten.

Shit.

A strangled noise bubbles up my throat. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Okay, let’s go back upstairs then.”

He still doesn’t seem convinced, but he does as he says, leading me back through the maze of hallways, into the elevator, and straight to our friends without saying another word.

Evie jumps out of her seat the second she sees us. “There you are. I was starting to get worried.”

“Sorry, we had to take care of something downstairs.”

Holden replies before I can, sending a meaningful glance at Phoenix, who joins us.

A waiter passes with a tray of champagne flutes, and I gesture for him to stop. His eyes widen when he sees me standing with Holden, but he quickly composes his features and gives us a polite smile.

“Miss Parker. Would you care for some champagne?”

I nod and grab two while everyone but Holden takes one as well.

The waiter tips his head and leaves.

The bubbly liquid goes smoothly down my throat, leaving a warm trail of fruity notes behind. It’s refreshing, bringing a sense of calm with it. Maybe that should alarm my inner system. Is it wise to lower my walls around Holden? I should be concerned about that, yet I don’t find it in me to care.

Holden’s eyes are on me, and once my first glass is empty, I finally give in and look at him.

His gaze is unreadable yet so intense, I need to break it somehow.

I clutch my second glass to my chest and say, “Sorry, but you should have gotten your own. I’m not sharing mine with you.”

To my surprise, he laughs. The sound is rich and warm, reminding me too much of how he once was my only friend—my best friend.

“Stop smiling. You weren’t supposed to see that.” I drop my forehead to his chest, embarrassed he walked in on me dancing.

He wraps his arms around my body and pulls me against him, rendering me immobile. “Never. You’re too cute for that.”

I pretend to fight his hold on me while secretly enjoying his closeness. He does give the best hugs. Before I met him, it had been a long time since someone had hugged me. Sometimes, a hug can fix a problem or a mood. It’s like a little touch of magic. And his hugs are extra magical.

At some point, I get worried he might think I enjoy this moment between us more than I should, so I poke his ribs where I know he’s ticklish. His laugh envelops me in a different kind of embrace, and this time, I can’t hold back my own smile.

Holden’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “You know I take what I want. No pretense.”

“No tricks,” I continue his statement, remembering it from our past.

“No lies.”

The last one is new, but I try not to show my surprise. Instead, I drain the other champagne, and put both glasses on the table. Then I grab Evie’s hand and pull her toward the balcony to dance.

There are a million questions in her eyes, but she only asks one, “What the hell is going on with you guys?”

I blow out a breath, hoping this weight on my chest will leave with it. “Nothing is going on with us. Absolutely nothing.”

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