Page 33 of Wish You Would

“Sierra, you know him. Can you introduce us all?” Everly asks, looking completely starstruck.

“I’ll let them eat first and then I’ll go say hi. Okay, what’s everyone getting for dinner?”

The table quiets as everyone looks through the extensive menu, and I use the lull in conversation to appreciate the stunning view. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with a white marble bar, pale pink suede booths and ornate jellyfish-inspired glass chandeliers. But it’s the covered patio less than 50 feet from the ocean on the edge of the busiest beach in the city that makes Catch 21 so special.

The air is warm, the patio is packed with people enjoying a perfect summer night, and when the sun goes down, the space will glow under pretty strands of string lights.

The waitress hurries off with our orders just as the band begins to play a string of cover songs and most of us, now on our second round of drinks, start to sing along. The chat around the table is easy and fun, and by the time we’ve finished our dinners we’re all a little buzzed.

“So, Briar. It’s good to see you back,” Jake says, one arm draped across Everly’s shoulders. “I hope my bro Holden has rolled out the welcome mat.”

“Obviously,” Holden pipes up. “Ask Tucker. I’m a great roommate.”

“You were buddy,” Tuck agrees before taking a sip of his gin and tonic. “Questionable taste in TV and O.C.D. that’s a little out of control, but other than that you were a dream.”

I watch as Holden shakes his head fighting a grin on his face.

“I can confirm. Great roommate. No notes.”I nod in his direction. “I’m not sure what I would have done without him. Well, I do know… I would have been homeless.”

“Have you talked to your landlord about your place?” Grayson asks from across the table.

I nod my head. “I spoke to him briefly today. He’s been dealing with the insurance company all week and he finally got that part settled. He said he has guys going in on Monday to start the job.”

“I guess it’s progress,” Grayson says.

“It is. And until then, I have a great place to stay.”

“Did you ever buy furniture for my old room or are you making Briar sleep on the floor?” Tucker jokes, leaning forward to look down the table at Holden.

“It arrived today. I need to put it all together this weekend.”

“You’ve been stuck with the couch, Briar?” Jake asks innocently enough. Daisy, on the other hand, is shooting me a look that says,inquiring minds wanna know.

“Holden gave me his bed,” I answer for him, patting his bicep.

“No big deal, just some minor spinal damage,” he teases, rubbing the side of his neck. When Holden’s gaze shifts to me, I flick him an amused look. His lips quirk up in response. It’s kind of cute.

Tucker laughs. “I’ve slept on that couch. I feel your pain.”

“You should get Briar to massage it out for you. Her hands are like magic.” Daisy flashes a knowing smirk as she leans one elbow on the table, resting her chin in her palm.

I take a long sip of the tequila sunrise Holden ordered for me. My skin heats as I wonder if Holden is going to tell the table that I’ve already done that. Something in me hopes he doesn’t. The massage wasn’t sexual in any way, but thephysical contact did feel like it may have been the start of something. I mean, that nightdidend in a kiss.

“I’ll remember that,” he responds coolly as I exhale from behind my glass. I want to throw my arms around him right here and now for being so discreet—for not kissing and telling, literally.

As our waitress shows up to clear away our empty plates, Holden catches my eye. I feel like I can’t breathe when he winks, then holds my gaze in a lingering, heated stare. The longer our eyes stay glued to one another’s, the more everything and everyone else in the room fades away.

This man… he’s confident, but still charming and sweet. I wish I wasn’t so ridiculously attracted to him, but there’s no denying that I am.

The conversation shifts to Tucker and his reno just as Holden’s hand falls to my thigh under the table. He does it so nonchalantly, like it’s no big deal, when in fact, every nerve in my body feels like it’s about to short-circuit. He runs his warm hand back and forth as the conversation continues around us.

The feel of his skin against mine draws my gaze to him, but he doesn’t look in my direction or give the slightest acknowledgement that his hand on my thigh is driving me wild. He laughs at something Tucker said, but I have completely lost track of the story. All I can think about is how I wouldn’t mind if Holden moved his hand closer to the hem of my dress. Then even further.

Have I craved this, to be touched by Holden?The answer is yes. But I’m also confused. Holden touching me like this is completely unexpected. I don’t know where his head is at. He frowns at me one minute and is kissing me in the hallway the next. I have whiplash from the mixed signals.

Skin flaming, I turn my attention to the waitress and theround of shots she’s handing out, courtesy of Grayson. It’s only when Holden reaches for the shot glass that he removes his hand from my thigh, and I miss it instantly.

“Here’s to a night we’ll never remember with the friends we’ll never forget.” Grayson raises his glass in the air.

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