Page 46 of Holly Freakin' Hughes

Helaughed. “You didn’t think I forgot you, did you? Did Liz give you my number? Ihad—yes, honey, you’re staying over Grandma’s tonight.” Did he slip that inthere purposely? “Sorry. My daughter. Anyway, I was wondering if you were evergonnacall. I had given Liz my number on Facebook the otherday, but ...”

Igot up from the table to escape from the two pairs of ogling eyes, and hurriedto my room. I closed the door and flopped on my bed, feeling like I was back atmy parents’ house, talking to my middle school crush (his name was David and hehad a PlayStation before anybody else, which obviously made him the coolest).

Irelished in the sensation of feeling young again.

“Youthere?”

“O-oh!Sorry, I had to get out of the kitchen. Liz and my next-door neighbor weredriving me insane.”

Helet out a throaty chuckle that made my spine tingle. “Can I interest you ingetting out of the house altogether?”

OhGod, he was smooth. I could feel his jacket under my hands and his scent in mynostrils and his taste in my mouth. I didn’t even think before I blurted out,“Yes!” I clapped my hand over my mouth, surprised by how eager I was. EitherEsther was rubbing off on me too much or I was letting my hormones talk beforeconsulting with my brain.

Iheard a door close, and then he whispered, “I don’t mean to be too forwardhere, but I haven’t been able to think about anything else since the othernight.”

Somehow,I found my voice, albeit only a fragment of what my voiceactuallywas. It came out as a strained noise not unlike a hurt dog. “Meneither.”

Wasthis really happening? Wait, what exactlywashappening? Was I reallyplanningto hook up with someone? That was certainly a first. My fingers found Camille,and they nervously tangled themselves in her soft hair.

“Kaylee!”he shouted, and I jumped, startled by the sudden noise. “I will be out in twominutes!” Back to a whisper, he grumbled, “Sorry about that again. I do love mydaughter; I swear to God. Anyway, can I convince you to come over?”

“W-what?Now?"

“IfI’m being too pushy, say so. I just really …” His voice went down to a whisperI could barely hear through the phone. “Holly, I want you so bad,” he growled,bringing the skin on my arms to goosebumps.

Ihad to close my eyes to let the words sink in as my face burned somethingfierce, and fanned myself with a nearby romance novel. He sounded pained, likehis life depended on a night of wild fornication, and I found myself desperatefor the same remedy.

“Iwant you too,” I whispered into the phone, then clapped my hand over my mouthagain as Ben groaned.

“ThankGod,” he said with a relieved sigh. “Six? Does that work?” He sounded nervousbeneath his sexy and vaguely confident exterior.

Ididn’t bother checking my schedule. I was free. Even if I wasn’t free, I’d makesure I was. “Six works fine.”

Hewas relieved, and gave me the address. I heard pounding from his end, andbefore he had a chance to scold his daughter for attempting to break down thedoor, we hung up. Instantly my body was filled with butterflies andanticipation for what the night had in store for me, and I hoped to Christ Istill remembered how to be good in bed.

***

“Now,remember to call me after. I need to knoweverything,” Esther said. Sheand Liz flanked me as I walked to the van, and I decided they were both way tooinvolved in my life.

“That’sdefinitely not happening,” I replied, getting into the car.

Lizsmiled like a parent sending their baby off to kindergarten. “I’m so happy foryou, Holly. This is a good thing. I can feel it.”

Estherstopped me from closing the door. “Speaking of feeling things, tell me—”

“You’reboth sick, you know that?” I laughed, trying to hide the jitters I was feeling.“I’ll see you later—or tomorrow?” I grimaced, not knowing where the night wasgoing to take me, and closed the door.

Drivingto his house was proving to be a difficult task, and I wondered where confidentuninhibited Holly had run off to. I figured it was because I was drivingtowards something I hadn't had in a long time, not to mention with someone Ihardly knew, and—well, what if I had forgotten? What if my skills in the way ofbetween-the-sheets activities had faded with my love for wearing anything butyoga pants and sweatshirts?

Mystomach was in thousands of knots and my thoughts weren't helping any. Alcoholwould have been welcomed, but I was driving and needed all my senses intact, sotea would have to suffice.

Ipulled into Reade’s parking lot, parkedOl' Rusty,and ran inside. I passed Bill with a smile and a wave, not bothering to sayanything and risk being pulled into a conversation about the Thanksgivingdecorations he was creating at the front counter. I hurried to the café andasked Scott for a large lavender Earl Grey, and then waited impatiently for myorder to be filled.

NervouslyI checked my phone, played with my hair, and just as I was about to check thelittle bit of makeup I had slapped on, there was a hand on my back and a kisson my cheek. Not expecting the interruption, I quickly turned, prepared toattack my assailant, only to find myself face-to-chest with Brandon. And forthe first time since meeting him, I wished to God he had been anywhere butthere.

"Oh,God, it's you," I said, breathing a sigh of relief as I looked up to hisface. He looked a little confused, maybe hurt, by the comment. "Sorry, Ithought you were some … pervert or something."

Brandonsmiled and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed over his broadchest, the leather of his jacket creaking as he moved. "Well, for you,maybe I could turn into one." I rolled my eyes in response.

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