Page 50 of Clumsy in Love

“Doesn’t look good for who?” Holly asked, irritation rising. He’d left her at the altar, and now he wanted to point fingers over who was making who look bad? The nerve.

“It’s not like he actually likes you,” Rick sneered. “He’s only doing his job.” It sounded as if he was trying to convince himself more than anyone, but he probably wasn’t wrong, and the dig stung.

“If that’s true, what’s it to ya?” Cole jumped in, narrowing his eyes at Rick with that “cop” stare thing he did.

“What do you mean,ifthat’s true?”

Cole shrugged again.

“Holly.” Rick was hissing more than talking. “This is totally inappropriate.”

“You’re killin’ the mood, Dick. Back off.” Cole turned Holly away and led them farther into the crowd, leaving Rick standing with his mouth open. “That guy didn’t deserve you.”

“Holy crap, Cole. He’s still my boss!”

“That doesn’t give him the right to be an asshole.”

Over Cole’s shoulder, she watched Rick take the hint and storm off. Only to give her the evil eye from a nearby picnic table. “I’ve never seen him act like that.”

“Is he gonna stare at us all night?” Cole asked.

“Hope not,” Holly said. “I think I was unprepared for how awkward this is going to be. Working together, living in this small town where no one has any secrets. I was almost relieved when he started dating Shelby. It gave folks something to gossip about other than me.”

“Let’s give him something to really get upset about.” The mischievous glint in his eye was her only clue he was about to kiss her. Right here. On the dance floor. In front of God and everyone!

Her mind was a step behind, but her body had already jumped on board. She tightened her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The kiss didn’t last long, but a few seconds was all it took to change her world.Thisis what had been missing with Rick—the internal fireworks that exploded when lips met.

Cole pulled away and smiled. “That’ll make him sorry.”

Her brain was still slightly muddled from the kiss, but reality seeped in. Of course. He’d only done it to make Rick jealous. Itwasn’t that he had feelings for her. Or even a physical attraction. Disappointment ran through her, but she put it aside.

“You’re not the one who has to deal with him every day.”

“True. I’m sorry. I should have asked.”

“Eh,” she said, attempting to play it off like it was nothing. Like huge, hunky, handsome men kissed her all the time.

“It got rid of him,” Cole said, nodding to the empty seat where Rick had been sitting.

The song ended, and they walked back to the table. Her four friends sat wearing matching smiles. Smiles that said, “We saw that and want details as soon as possible.”

Holly sighed. That kiss would cost her.

Mrs. Kleppin approached with a plastic-covered tray. “I just wanted to thank you again for saving my boys,” she said, passing Holly the plate. “Obviously, cookies pale in comparison to what you did, but I know you like chocolate chip.”

“Yaaas!” Holly said. She tore off the Saran Wrap, grabbed a cookie, and took a bite. Soft and gooey, just the way she liked them. “Thank you, Mrs. Kleppin. The boys checked out okay?”

“Thanks to you two.” A tear slipped down her face. “Really, I can’t think about what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”

She threw her arms around Cole, and his wide-eyed look of surprise made Holly smile. He patted her back stiffly, clearly still not acclimated to strangers showing affection.

“No problem,” he said. “Glad we could help. And thanks for the cookies. Hopefully, Holly will save me one.”

Holly smirked. “Not if you get sassy on me.”

Cole smiled, and Holly thought it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. Her heart warmed, and she prayed it was the effectof too many beers. The alternative—that she was starting to like him—was unacceptable and, therefore, out of the question to even consider.

In just one day, he’d chased off a murderer, helped her save two drowning boys, and stood up for her on the dance floor. It was only natural she’d have some feelings of gratitude and camaraderie. But she needed to proceed with caution.

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