Page 7 of Wish You Would

Holden is cute when he’s not wound so tight.

We finish our dinner in silence. Holden keeps his head down, which gives me the opportunity to sneak a few glances at him. Thick chestnut hair with a slight wave at theends. Sharp jaw with a five o’clock shadow. Deep, green eyes.

It’s strange how he’s been nothing like the guy I got to know before I moved to Vancouver. Not that I knew him well, but because our best friends were dating, we were together at a few parties. He seemed playful, always up for a good time. This Holden is different. He’s quiet. There’s something mysterious about him.

After we eat, Holden insists on washing the dishes while I tidy the kitchen. I keep my mouth shut when he begins to clean the countertops again, going over the same surfaces I just wiped down.

“Thanks for the company,” I say when there’s nothing left to clean up. “I’m … um…going to have a shower.”

“There are towels underneath the sink, and I changed the sheets on my bed. It’s all ready for you,” he says, not looking up as he scrubs at the sink. “And before you try to argue with me… don’t.”

“Holden—”

“I said don’t.” He places the sponge in its holder and then finally lifts his eyes to meet mine. My knees go weak.

“Okay,” I relent, sighing in resignation. “Thank you.”

He holds my stare, unwavering, before I turn to leave.

“Hey, Briar?” he calls, stopping me.

“Yeah?”

“Who’s Braxton?”

My shoulders stiffen. “A friend of my ex’s.”

“Then who’s Justin?”

“No one important. Not anymore.”

“If he’s not important, why won’t you tell me who he is?”

I flinch, doing my best to act like talking about my ex is not a big deal. “It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.”

His eyes hold mine as he leans back against the counter, one ankle crossed over the other. He looks relaxed in his gray sweatpants, his feet bare. But I can see the concern in his gaze. He must have picked up on the tension when I mentioned Braxton and Justin to Daisy earlier today.

Drop it. Please drop it.Holden and I shared a nice dinner together. It feels like we’re beginning to get along. Talking about Justin will definitely ruin the mood. But the way he’s looking at me, the way he’s refusing to look away, tells me that he doesn’t want to let this go. It’s unnerving, but also undeniably sexy.

“Fine,” I sigh. “We used to date. Back in Vancouver.” The words taste sour on my tongue. “Until he decided he didn’t appreciate monogamy. He just didn’t bother to tell me he had moved on until I found them together on my couch.”

Holden’s jaw tightens, a pulse ticking below his cheek. But he doesn’t speak. He just stands there, motionless, watching me as I nervously talk about my ex.

“It was humiliating. I sort of lost my mind for a little while. I keyed his car and gave all his stuff to Goodwill while he was at work. So, he got his.”

Holden looks impressed. “I bet he was pissed.”

“An understatement.”

“He deserved it. And just so we’re clear, as long as you’re staying here with me, you will not be calling Justin or his friend. For anything. He doesn’t deserve to talk to you. He doesn’t even deserve to breathe the same air as you. Understand?”

I swallow. “Understood. Now, I need you to drop it. Please. I want to move on with my life and it’s easier if I forget he ever existed.”

Holden nods.

“Thanks.”

---