Page 20 of Holly Ever After

Holly leans down to Mia, whispering loud enough for me to hear, “I don’t think Sean knows how to have fun, sweetie.”

I finally lock eyes with her, a challenge sparking between us.

“Look, you can either hold my hand, or I can call an ambulance in advance. Your choice.”

“I choose option three: you skating away and leaving me the hell alone,” I snap, but I want her to stay, to keep challenging me, pushing me.

She pretends to ponder, tapping her finger against her lips. “Hmm, tempting, but I think I’ll stick around, watch the show. It’s not every day you get to see a grown man wobble like a newborn deer.”

“Mia?” I smile down at her. “Tell your auntie to zip it.”

She giggles. “Zip it, Lolly.”

“Hey!” Holly scowls.

She leans in closer, her breath warm against my cheek. “Let’s go, Bambi. I don’t have all day.”

I roll my eyes, pushing away from the barrier, slipping and sliding, trying to find my footing, all while Holly’s laughter rings in my ears, light and beautiful, and damn her, despite everything, I’m starting to enjoy her company a little too much.

It’s easier to be this way with her. It’s easier to pretend because if I acknowledge anything more, I’m screwed.

Holly hates me because I’m her brother’s best friend who drives her crazy.

I hate her because when she was nineteen something changed, and she made me fall in love with her without even knowing what she was doing.

“I prefer Thumper,” I mutter, finally moving away from the barrier, my legs shaky but determined.

“Thumper it is then. Come on. Let’s go.” She beckons me like a dog and for a full minute I stare at her and list all the ways I could shut her up. Every one of them includes my mouth on hers.

Back to trying not to die.

I exhale deeply, struggling to focus on the ice beneath my feet rather than the infuriatingly attractive woman taunting me.

“You’re doing great,” Holly says, spinning around me with the ease of a professional, her laughter mingling with Mia’s giggles.

“I’m going to thumper you in a minute,” I grumble, attempting a glide and nearly toppling over, my arms flailing.

“Aw, you think you can catch me?” She chuckles, her eyes gleaming with mischief, skating backward, her movements smooth and controlled.

“When I catch you, you’ll wish I hadn’t,” I threaten, but there’s no real heat behind my words. I’m too focused on not breaking anything vital and too distracted by the way Holly’s eyes light up every time she laughs.

She twirls around me like a damn fairy on ice. Her movements are graceful, her laughter enchanting, and I’m so caught up watching her that I almost forget about the ice beneath me. “Like this, look.” Holly puts one foot in front of the other like a pro.

My jaw clenches, but before I can retaliate, my foot slips, and I find myself crashing down, my pride cushioning my fall. “Fuck!” I groan.

“Oh, down goes Thumper!” Holly laughs, but she’s immediately by my side, offering her hand. “Need some help there?”

I glare at her extended hand.

“Come on, don’t be stubborn.”

Reluctantly, I take it, feeling a spark of warmth, an unexpected jolt of electricity.

Her hand is soft, warm, and engulfed in mine.

My eyes are drawn to her, to the way the cold air reddens her cheeks and how her breath creates little puffs of fog in the air, to the way her eyes seem to be shining brighter than the lights above us.

“You’re still a pain in the ass. Don’t let this let you think otherwise.”

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