Page 42 of Holly Freakin' Hughes

Shesmirked with a nod, and turned to me. “Yeah, I like him.” As if I needed herapproval. Then with a wave of her hand, she motioned for Liz to follow her.“Take me to the car, Elizabeth. My ass is freezing out here, and my bloodthinners aren’t appreciating it.”

Liznudged me in the ribs and whispered, “Wow.” She turned to smile at Brandon andhis friend before taking Esther by the arm. “It was nice to finally meet you,”she said, and hurried off to the car; the two of them giggling like teenagersall the way.

Nicktook that as his cue, and told Brandon he’d get their table, and with a gallantlittle bow, he mentioned again how nice it was to meet me. “I hope I see youagain,” he added, and with that, he was hurrying into the diner.

Andsuddenly, we were alone.

“Youhad your hair done,” Brandon mentioned immediately, cocking his head slightlyas he gazed down at me. “It looks nice,” he added, stuffing his hands into hispockets.

“Thanks,”I said with a smile, automatically touching the soft ends of my freshly cuthair. “I have a date,” I blurted out, feeling suddenly that he deserved anexplanation for my sudden change in appearance.

Iwas bothered to find myself disappointed when Brandon didn’t so much as flinch.“You might want to do something with your face first,” he laughed, gentlytouching my cheek. “Still feeling shitty?”

Iwinced a little, and he pulled his hand away apologetically. “Yeah, but hey,that’s what drugs are for, right?”

“Orbooze, but hey, pick your own poison.” He laughed with a little shuffle of hisfeet. “Anyway, I should get in there, but I’m glad I bumped into you. Smalltowns have their perks.”

“Yeah,they do,” I agreed with a smile, and with another kiss on the cheek, he tookoff at a jog around me to hurry into the diner.

Imade my way back to Liz’s SUV and climbed into the passenger side to the two ofthem glaring at me. “What?” I asked, immediately on the defense.

“Let’sjust say,” Esther began with a little clearing of her throat, “when you hadtold us about that time you got down and dirty with that guy, neither of us hadexpected someone quite likethat.”

Iglanced toward the backseat at her, and then over at Liz. “What do you mean?”

Lizlaughed. “You said he was beautiful, but you do know he’sseriouslygorgeous, right?”

“He’sokay,” I said a little too casually, buckling myself in.

“Oh,yeah. Justokay.” Liz smirked with a knowing glare. “And—I don’t know. Imean, I guess I didn’t expect a guy who genuinely liked you.”

“What,you thought I was hanging out with some douchebag or something?”

Lizshrugged with her hands raised. “I don’t know! I think, at least for me, Iassumed that he was some sleazy guy.” I guess my expression had suggested I wasinsulted by the accusation, and she touched me lightly on the arm. “But he’sreally nice, and he obviously likes you a lot.”

“He’sa good friend,” I said, mostly to myself.

Lizand Esther maintained a vow of silence as we drove through the varying sidestreets, making our way back to Liz’s house, and a rather annoying paranoidlittle voice told me they weren’t convinced of that.

Agood friend.

Hollyfreakin’ Hughes. Ignorantly oblivious.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

HOLLY

“Ireally think you’ll likethis guy,” Liz said, standing in my doorwaywith her cup of tea held tightly in both hands. “You always like those dorkytypes.”

“Stephenwasn’t dorky!” I laughed. “He’s a real man’s man.”

“Oh,yeah,” she snickered, raising the mug to her lips. “Clearly.”

Liztold me that I was meeting Ben for mini golf. No fancy restaurants to getdressed up for, thank God. It was relaxed and actually sounded like fun, and Ifound that not only was I looking forward to it, but I was nervous as all hell.It was a legitimate set-up with a guy that my sister’s ex-husband was buddieswith and saw on a regular basis. What happened if it didn’t go well and thedynamic between them was forever awkward?

AfterI had gotten dressed for the date in a pair of leggings and a sweater, Inoticed my palms growing clammy. I wiped them against the scarf I was about towrap around my neck, silently telling myself to chill the fuck out. I left myhair down—a habit I had been easing myself into since getting my hair done—andI swept some mascara and eyeliner on in an attempt to make my face look atleast a little more put together.

“Rememberwhat I said about sleeping with handsome men, honey,” Esther called over herfence before I got into the van.

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