Page 46 of Heart to Heart

“I’m sorry.” Smoothing my expression into something resembling friendly, I gestured for him to step into the foyer.

Liam was here so I wasn’t worried about things getting awkward with Jared. Well, at least for me. He could feel as awkward as he wanted but as long as he wasn’t hitting on me, what did I care?

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” His eyes darted past me to scan the open space of the ground floor. Probably trying to see if I was alone.

“No. Liam was just showing me the progress he made while I was gone. It’s fine. What can I do for you?”

“I brought you these. The first of your permits have been approved. You can now sell tea and other non-alcoholic beverages, along with prepared food.”

Liam crossed to the foyer to join us, snatching the envelope from Jared’s hand. “This should be delivered to the McCabe Construction office. Not to Holly and not here. Luke is handling all the preliminary approvals for her and Rosemary through his company. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

“Sure, I realize that. But I thought I’d stop by and offer my congratulations in person.” He passed the roses to me. “We go back years, don’t we, Holly?” He shot a glare to Liam. “There’s no need for formality between friends, is there?”

“I mean, I don’t know anything about permits and stuff. Luke takes care of that so . . .” I gestured to the envelope, hesitant to be harsh with him when apparently there were more permits waiting for approval. “Luke should probably have this. But yeah, we’ve known each other since kindergarten so I guess it’s okay this time.” I set the roses on the built in shelf adjacent to the front door. “These are pretty. Thank you.”

“Of course.” He cleared his throat. I knew he wanted to say more but I didn’t want to hear it. He probably wanted to talk about the Street Festival, but yeah, no thank you. I tried to keep my face neutral, but I must have failed because he flinched and took a step back. “I guess I’ll get going. Uh, see you soon, Holly.”

“Bye.” I slammed the door behind him. “Unfreakingbelievable.”

A low laugh rumbled from Liam’s chest. “I didn’t like him before and I sure as hell can’t stand him now,” he announced.

“Yeah, and I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood anymore,” I declared. “He wrecked it and I’m pissed.”

“It’s probably for the best.” He dragged a hand over his beard. “I was already having a hard time coming to terms with not being able to, uh...”

A sideways grin quirked up my lips. “Cross the finish line and fuck us both stupid?”

“Yup, that,” he chuckled.

I took a deep breath. “Okay, I have a new plan. You do what you gotta do here. I’m going to the Quickbriar Stop and Go to pick up the essentials, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I gave him a saucy smile and sauntered toward him. I hooked my finger through his belt loop and said, “Friday night, Liam. No more holidays and no more waiting, okay?”

“Brilliant, count me in.”

“Later.”

I practically ran to Lily’s car, which had somehow ended up parked in my driveway. I’d ask the sibling group text who to thank for driving it over later. Right now I was on a mission.

I pulled into the lot next to a familiar looking Porsche. What is it with Porsches and all the little dick energy losers in this town? Violet’s ex had one and so did fricking Jared. I bet Owen would drive one too if his stupid ass could afford it.

Yeah, I’d just gotten off spectacularly with Liam, but it had done nothing to put me in a good mood. Especially when I knew I’d have gone off again if I could have had a go at him. His dick was huge. I’d felt it pressed against me and I couldn’t wait to get my hands, mouth, and my other parts all over it.

Friday couldn’t come soon enough for me.

I was frustrated in so many ways right now. I was sexually frustrated, obviously. Then there was dickhead Owen this morning and Jared and his bad timing, both of which sucked. But most of all I was frustrated with my own dumbass self for not buying condoms once I had realized that future Holly was definitely going to be getting a piece of Liam. This was not a happy combo. My mood had turned to shit.

“Holly! Babe, what a lovely surprise.” Jared greeted me the second I crossed through the door while Elizabeth—my bestie, Tess’s little sister—snickered behind the counter. She knew all about Jared’s crush on me and how I felt about it. She and I were quite friendly too, so the vibes I was giving off were not lost on her like they were on poor oblivious, unsuspecting, pain-in-my-ass Jared.

“I’m in a bad mood right now, Jared. Headache, hangry, grumpy, I think I may even have cramps. We’ll talk later.” I tried to get around him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm.

I stared at his hand on my arm like it was a spider I was about to squash but he didn’t let go. Instead he led me further into the store. “Let’s get you taken care of then, darling girl. What do you need? My treat.” He grabbed one of the small grocery carts by the door and smiled expectantly at me.

What do I need? For you to get the hell out of my face and leave me alone. Is that too much to ask?

“Oh, I don’t know—” An idea struck me, and I grinned. “Are you sure?” I batted my eyelashes at him like the simpleton he seemed to think I was.

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