Page 38 of Finally Home

Me:Yeah, scram ya hellion.

Me:P.S. Could you see if they have any Chobani White Chocolate Mocha creamer? They were out on the last two trips to the store.

Hollie:Okay, now that’s just freaky.

Hollie:*photo of the green creamer container lying in her cart*

Me:Good girl. Have fun shopping. I hope no other old ladies get harmed during this. See ya at home.

Home.For the first time in possibly ever, I’m hoping my shift goes quickly so that I can get home to her. It’s nice to have someone at home waiting for me, even if she’s already asleep by the time I get there.

“Are you lost or something?” I ask Rhy when I see him appear, balancing three plates of food and heading toward the table in the corner. He drops the food off and gives the patrons a smile before stalking over to the edge of the bar.

“Nah, Tracey had to step outside and take a phone call. Seemed important, so I told her I’d walk out the food instead of risking it getting cold.”

I nod, making a mental note to not only check in with her to make sure everything’s okay but also to mention to Archer about looking into bringing in more staff.

Something catches Rhy’s attention at the door, and he whistles under his breath. I turn to find Hollie standing in the doorway, looking around nervously. It reminds me of the first night she walked in here. It feels like a lifetime ago and not just a week.

“Hey.” I toss the dish towel over my shoulder and walk around the bar to meet her halfway.

“Hi. I hope this is okay. I figured girlfriends would visit their boyfriends at work.” It’s adorable that she lowers her voice on the last part, but no one around us is paying attention. Well, at least not anyone who isn’t already aware of the situation, because I can definitely feel Rhy’s eyes on us.

“Absolutely. I’ll never mind you visiting me at work.”

She smiles shyly while pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. When she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, a telltale sign that she’s nervous, I step up so that our shoes are touching. I’m careful not to crush her toes. I lift her chin with my fingers and bring her lips to mine.

That’s definitely how a boyfriend would react to his girl showing up.

I reluctantly pull back when a throat clears behind us. And I don’t have to turn around to know that it belongs to my best friend.

I place my arm around her lower back and lead her over to where Rhyland stands. Archer is back in the office, so I can introduce him later.

“Rhyland, this is Hollie.”

“Hollie, this is my best friend and the best chef in town, Rhyland Cole.”

“Hi, Rhyland, it’s so nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She frowns, and I rush to smooth things over, but Rhy actually beats me to it. “All good things, of course. He was just telling me earlier how much of a good time you guys had this weekend.”

A patron at the bar flags me down for a refill. Hollie must notice because she shoves me away. “You go do your thing. Just pretend I’m not here.”

“I could never. You take center stage in a room.” I lean over the bar and kiss her. It’s not her look of shock, though, that has me chuckling while I refill the glass of beer. It’s seeing my best friend beside her, sharing a similar look of shock on his face.

After I deliver the beer and check on the few other guests at the bar, I return to where Hollie and Rhyland are talking and laughing. So it’s not just with me and my house that she fits in well with, but also here in this bar and hanging with my best friend.

“I’m sure I’ll see you later, but I better get back into the kitchen.” Rhyland waves and disappears down the hallway.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Her face lights up. “Actually, could you make me one of those drinks you made the first night we met?”

I chuckle as I nod. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.” I’d give her everything, even the moon, if she asked for it.

It’s necessary for me to remember this is only temporary.We are temporary.But for as long as I have her, I’ll treat her like this is forever.

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