Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
I nod, and he steps into the apartment, waving to my friends. “I see you have your emotional support team.” He crosses his arms, then uncrosses them and lets them hang at his sides.
“Yeah, they’re good like that.”
“You look beautiful. Hollis must be taking you somewhere nice,” Dad observes. “I don’t think I’ve seen that dress before.”
“Hollis bought it for her,” Hemi says. “He actually bought her entire outfit, right down to the shoes.”
The only thing he didn’t buy was the underwear I have on. And I’m sure he would have, if it didn’t seem a little presumptuous about how he wants this date to end.
Dad almost seems to be fighting a smile. “Of course he did.”
There’s another knock at the door.
“He’s here.” I point at my dad. “Please be nice. I know you’re still angry and hurt, but he’s been your best friend for seven years, and I care about him, and he cares about me.”
“I know.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ll do my best.”
I take a steadying breath as I open the door. And nearly melt into the floor. Hollis is dressed in a black suit. His hair is neatly styled, he’s freshly shaven, and he smells incredible. The last hoodie I borrowed has very nearly lost its Hollis scent. I inhale deeply, huffing him from a safe, two-foot distance.
His tie matches my dress, and he’s holding a bouquet of blue and yellow gerbera daisies, which are my favorite. His eyes move over me on an appreciative sweep that I feel everywhere, especially between my thighs.
“Hi,” I croak.
A grin tips one corner of his mouth. “You look stunning.”
“The dress was excessive, but I love it.”
“I love it on you.” He holds out the flowers. “For you.”
“They’re beautiful.” I take them and bring them to my nose. “I’ll put them in water, and then we can go.”
“Sure. Do you want me to wait here?” he asks.
I’m intentionally blocking his view of the apartment. I drop my voice. “You can come in, but the girls are here, and so is my dad.”
A rare smile spills over the right side of his mouth. “I’ll come in.”
My stomach flips as I step back.
“Hey, Hollis,” the girls say in unison.
“Hey.” He raises a hand in an awkward wave.
“I’ll put those in water for you.” Rix takes the flowers.
“Thanks.”
Tally passes me my clutch.
Dad crosses his arms and takes on his bodyguard stance. “Hollis.”
“Roman.”
This is so awkward.
“I’ve invested twenty-one years in my daughter. I expect you to bring her back in the same condition you took her out in,” Dad says.
“A little strong on the dad game, Roman,” Rix mutters.
“Okay. Thanks for that, Dad. That’s our cue to leave.” I grab Hollis’s arm with one hand and the doorknob with the other.
He covers my hand with his and turns to my dad. “I love your daughter. I promise to treat her like the precious gem she is.”
“Nice.” Dred snickers.
Tally’s hand covers her heart.
And now I’m all melty again.
Hemi pats my dad on the shoulder as I usher Hollis out the door. At least he has my emotional support team as backup.
I rapid-stab the down button on the elevator, willing it to come immediately, in case my dad wants to impart any other pearls of wisdom, or punch Hollis in his gorgeous face.
“That went better than expected,” Hollis says conversationally.
“You’re not bleeding, so I consider it a win.”
The elevator doors slide open, and Hollis puts his hand over the sensor, waiting until I cross the threshold before he follows. He pushes the button for the parking garage, and then the doors are sliding closed and we’re alone.
He moves into the corner and leans against the mirrored wall. “Are you okay?”
I shrug. “I have a lot of feelings.”
“Do you want to share what they are?”
“I’m nervous, excited, scared.” Horny.
He nods. “I’m all the same things.”
“What are you scared of?”
“That I’ve done too much damage, and you’ll decide I’m not worth the challenges this relationship will bring with it,” he says.
“We’re getting real already, huh?”
“Seems that way.” His smile is soft. “What are you scared of, Princess?”
“That you still have my heart, and you’ll break it again.”
His eyes close, and he exhales a pained breath. “Of all the things I wish I could undo, that tops the list, Princess. I hope to prove I meant it when I said I’ll never do it again.”
I nod. “I hope you can, too.”
We reach the parking garage, and Hollis waits for me to exit the elevator before following. His fingers brush the back of my hand, and I slip mine into his, even though my palms are clammy. He squeezes. “Want to tell me why you’re nervous?”
“So many reasons, but mostly because this is our first real date out in public, and people might recognize you.”
“Are you afraid of what people will think?” he asks.