Page 32 of Wish You Would

Briar: Ooh, I love it when you’re mean.

I chuckle at my screen before shoving my phone into my bag just as the elevator doors open. The text exchange shouldn’t put an extra pep in my step when I walk down the hall to my new office.

But who am I kidding?

That is exactly what Holden Banks does to me.

I’ve curledmy hair into loose waves that hang just past my shoulders. I went for a smoky eye, a little blush and a light pink lip gloss. It’s more makeup than I usually wear but I’ve always liked to get dressed up. I check myself out in the mirror to make sure nothing is missing. The fuchsia pink dress I’m wearing hugs my curves and ends mid-thigh. The strappy black heels that fasten around my ankle give me three extra inches. I kind of like the idea of being a little taller next to Holden’s 6’1” frame.

I’m excited for tonight’s dinner at Catch 21. I feel happier than I have in a long time, and I want to celebrate that.

The sound of a loud sneeze and then another draws my attention as I stand in front of the full-length mirror in Holden’s spare bedroom. Grabbing my clutch, I walk down the few stairs to the living room where I find Holden sitting on the couch with his phone in his hand, dressed and ready to go.

He stands when he sees me. My eyes roam over him from head to toe. I’m used to seeing Holden in shorts and a T-shirt or a pair of joggers while he’s lounging around the house. Don’t get me wrong, he looks sexy as hell in casual clothing, but nothing compares to him looking likethis. He’s wearing a black button-down dress shirt that highlights his toned physique, paired with dark-gray slacks that fit him to a T. A bolt of lust hits me square in the chest.

It’s when my gaze finally lands on his face that I start to worry. His eyes are red and watery again, like they have been most of the week.

“Gorgeous, Bee,” he says, his voice low and gritty, like sandpaper. Heat seeps into my cheeks.

“You look handsome, Holden. You clean up,” I say, taking a few steps closer, settling my palm on his forehead “But are you feeling, okay? I heard you sneeze, and your eyes are watering.”

A grin tugs at his lips. “I didn’t realize you’re a doctor.”

“I can’t be concerned about my boyfriend?”

“I am not your boyfriend.”

“Not with an attitude like that, you’re not,” I coo, taking a step back.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” He waves it off then holds up his phone. “I ordered us an Uber. The app says the car will behere in five minutes. If it’s not enough time for you, I’ll ask the driver to wait.”

My eyes widen a fraction. It’s a small thing, him being so patient, but it matters to me. Justin would have thrown a fit if I wasn’t ready on time. I would have had to listen to him yell at me for the entire drive to the restaurant, dying of embarrassment the entire time.

“I’m good, Holden. Thank you.”

It takes me a second to unglue my eyes from him, to shake off the effect of seeing him all dressed up. When I finally do, he ushers me out the door and into the waiting car. My pulse races the entire ride to the restaurant from having him so close to me. Rugged, handsome, playboy Holden who I can’t seem to stop fantasizing about. It’s a relief when we arrive at the restaurant. We find our friends out on the patio, the first round of drinks just being delivered by the server.

Grayson and Sierra spot us first and come over to pull us into the group, where Jake, Everly, Daisy, and Tucker are waiting.

“Holdey, my man.” Tuck stands up and crushes Holden in a bro-hug. It’s impossible not to smile at their friendship. You can tell they’ve known each other for a very long time. These days, they are both successful—not to mention incredibly handsome—men, but when the two of them are together, it’s not hard to imagine what they must have been like as teenagers, running around Reed Point causing trouble together.

“I miss you, man. Didn’t see you at Jake’s on Wednesday. Where have you been this week?”

I know the answer to that question because he’s been with me every night after coming home from work. But was he supposed to be at Jake’s? And if so, why didn’t he go?

“Yeah, it’s been a busy week. I’ll make it next time.”

Weird. But I don’t have time to unpack Holden’s comment when Everly greets me with a tight hug.

We spend the next several minutes hugging our friends and ordering drinks, and as I move around the table I can feel Holden looking at me. A couple of times our eyes meet, and he shoots me that signature smirk. When it’s time to take our seats, I feel his hand on the small of my back as he guides me to the table.

“Let me,” he smiles, pulling out my chair. As I slide into the seat, I feel the weight of everyone’s attention on us. I didn’t realize until now that everyone else here is married. Holden and I are the only single ones in the friend group, but to any outsider we would probably look a lot like a couple too. I glance at Daisy beside me and find her staring at me with eyes as wide as saucers.

“What’s going on over there?” Sierra asks, and I silently thank her for the distraction. She points to the corner of the patio, where a photographer is perched with his camera aimed at a couple eating dinner.

“Is that Miles Bennett?” Everly asks. “Oh my god, it is… he’s with Rylee.”

The entire world knows who Miles Bennet is. He’s one of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars and Reed Point’s claim to fame. He was born and raised here along with his two brothers and younger sister, Jules, who also happens to be best friends with Sierra. Their family owns the Seaside Hotel chain, a very upscale brand of boutique hotels on the east coast. Miles met his wife Rylee—"America’s sweetheart,” according to the tabloids—on set when she was working as a PA. They got married a few years ago and have a few kids now. Miles usually isn’t bothered by too many paparazzi when he’s here in Reed Point, but he’s beendoing a lot of press for a big action movie he has coming out, so I guess the press is paying more attention than usual.

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