Page 72 of Mistletoe, Mayhem & Mr. Grump
The door opens AGAIN—seriously, does no one knock?—and Holden walks in. Just walks in like he hasn't just destroyed my entire worldview and also my heart.
"The door was open," he says.
"The door is always open during committee emergencies," Teddy explains. "It's protocol."
"Since when?" I ask.
"Since right now," he admits. "I'm establishing protocols as we go."
"Holden," Delia says formally. "We were just discussing tomorrow's strategy."
"What strategy?" he asks, looking at me. I refuse to look back.
"The strategy for handling Malcolm," Finn explains. "He's bringing his Instagram yoga instructor."
"Of course he is," Holden mutters.
"She has two hundred thousand followers," I add, mocking Malcolm, still not looking at Holden.
"Bought followers don't count," he says immediately.
"How do you know they're bought?" June asks.
"No yoga instructor has that many organic followers unless they're secretly a celebrity or doing yoga with cats," he explains.
"Yoga with cats exists?" Teddy asks, interested.
"Everything exists on Instagram," Holden says.
"We're getting off track," Delia announces. "Holden, are you attending the gala?"
"That depends," he says. "Am I allowed?"
Everyone looks at me. I finally meet his eyes and immediately regret it. He does have a different face when he looks at me. Damn Delia and her documented evidence.
"It's a public event," I say stiffly.
"That's not what I asked," he whispers.
"I don't care what you do," I lie.
"Then I'll be there," he says. "If Malcolm tries anything, I'll intervene."
"I don't need your intervention," I insist.
"Everyone needs intervention when Malcolm's involved," Mrs. Patterson says.
"Speaking of which, Holden, you need appropriate attire for the gala." Delia adds.
"I have a suit," he says.
“Of course he has a suit,” Finn says. “He’s a Pierce.”
The entire room goes eerily quiet realizing we’re in the company of a very rich man.
"Wren, can we talk? Privately?" Holden asks, looking at me.
"No," I say immediately.
