Page 72 of Holly Ever After

“He was there when the storm hit, so we’ve been snowed in together all week long.”

“And let me guess, you both didn’t exactly weather the storm as enemies?”

The tears welling in my eyes is all the answer she needs. “We made it complicated.”

“Girl, I would hope so.” She leans forward. “I mean, Sean? Really? Tell me everything. And don't skimp on the details.”

“Do you want the PG version or—”

“R-rated, Holly. R-rated!” she insists, setting her mug down with emphasis.

I go on to recount the last few days, from the awkward start to the emotional roller coaster it turned out to be.

Jackie listens intently, alternating between laughter and gasps of disbelief. When I finish, she takes a deep breath and says, “Damn.”

“I know. And now, I don't know what to do. One moment it felt like there was something real, something more, and then the next thing, it's like we're strangers.”

“Do you like him? Like, really like him?”

I shrug, still in denial. I saw a side to him in the last few days that I’ve never seen before. The man who held me while I slept and kept me there until my eyes opened in the morning. The man who breathed kisses down my neck while I was writing for no other reason other than he could. The man who had me doubled over with laughter until I could hardly breathe, and then kissed me until I was silenced.

“If you think it's just cabin fever or holiday loneliness,” she continues, “then girl, you better run.”

“That’s the thing. I don't know. But what I do know is that I can't stop thinking about him. About us.” I laugh but it’s humorless. “I can’t believe there even is anus. It’s Sean and me. Sean who’s had a longer relationship with his underwear than any woman.”

“Don’t take that personally. Men tend to hold onto underwear for too long.” She sips her drink. “But wait. What about Ashley?”

I press my palm against my forehead. “Ashley, right. I always forget about her.”

Jackie blows out a breath and sits back into the cushions, but my mouth keeps rambling on.

“And I’m not even going there with my brother. He’s his best friend. For all I know, we could have ruined that friendship. They’re like brothers.”

“Then they’ll fight like brothers.” She offers me a small smile. “And they’ll make up like brothers too. Your brother or even Sean for that matter isn’t my concern here. It’s you. You’ve already got a lot on your plate with the book, the move, and Adam, and now Sean. Give yourself a break.”

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because Sean doesn’t want me. Not now. Not in the future. He wanted a fling. Something to keep him warm and occupied while he was stuck inside. I was that.

“God, I’m such a fool,” I sulk, sitting back into the chair and wrapping my hands around the warm cocoa.

“Yeah, but you were a horny fool. You won’t get any judgement from me.”

“I love you.”

“I know. Love you too.”

Inhaling a deep breath, I try to shake off the emotional haze that's enveloped me. “Alright, enough about me and my tragic love life, or whatever this is. Distract me. I want all the sordid details of what's happening in your world. Spill.”

She grins. “Well, you're in luck. I've been seeing someone.”

My eyes widen, and I sit up so quickly that I almost spill my cocoa. Grabbing a pillow, I fling it at her with mock indignation. “How have you not told me this?”

She shrugs, catching the pillow and placing it neatly back on the sofa. “It's nothing serious. On and off for a little while, and besides, you were preoccupied being snowed in with a Greek god.”

“A Greek god who moonlights as a jerk,” I retort, rolling my eyes.

“Well, even Zeus had his flaws,” Jackie says, winking. “But honestly, I didn't think you'd want to hear about my fling when you were living a rom-com fantasy—minus the rom and with a dash of com.”

“Okay, I want to hear everything,” I demand, “Who is she? How did you meet? And why is it nothing serious?”

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