Page 88 of Love Me Boldly

Now, if I told him where I was and what I was doing, I’m not sure he’d initially be so understanding and accepting, but my dad was a good man. One of the best. He’d come around eventually. What I knew for certain was that Holly would never sense or feel a hint of his doubts if he had them. He’d keep that contained.

Eli sighed. “Be smart, Graham. I like the girl. But she put you through the wringer once before. Not sure I want to see it happen again.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m a big boy.”

“No kidding. I saw your last Instagram pic. You should work out more. Eat less fat or something.”

“Shut up.” I laughed. “I gotta go. She’ll be here soon.”

“We’ll get together soon, yeah?”

“Send me your schedule. You’re the busy one.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

We hung up.

I checked my phone to make sure I didn’t miss any texts or calls and then glanced at the clock.

Great. I had five minutes to pace and wonder and worry.

Biopsy.Hadn’t her life already been hard enough?

TWENTY-EIGHT

HOLLY

I pulled into the resort’s guest parking, and my stomach dropped like I was going down the first hill on a roller coaster. Seeing Graham again was more difficult than I’d ever imagined, and I’d definitely imagined running into him on a street. But I imagined him married, maybe. With a child or two of his own. I’d imagined seeing him in the distance, holding his wife’s hand, teasing her with that arrogant smirk of his, promising all the fun they’d have later. Perhaps I did it for my own self-preservation. If I imagined him having the life he was meant to have, it was easier to let him go.

That I ran into him in Boone was surprising enough. That he was insisting on staying in Deer Creek was completely unexpected.

Was it bad? It should be. I shouldn’t have unblocked his number. I should have told him to leave.

Graham had a way of loosening all the bolts on my locked walls, and six plus years later I still hadn’t fully found a way to keep him out. Worse, given the last day to consider it, I was having trouble remembering all the reasons why I should.

Goodness. The sheer audacity of him to even consider lifting his shirt yesterday. Who was I kidding? I’d thought about that moment, tried to remember from before what she looked like. He was older now, but stronger. He’d stayed on his workout regime, that was for sure.

I parked my car, turned it off, and climbed out.

With a heavy sigh, my shoulders fell. I was heading into the belly of the beast with no protection.

The condo Graham got was on the first floor, according to his text, but I didn’t need to get it to know. This was one of the oldest resorts on the mountain, or at least it’d been around since I was born. While locals might not spend the nights at the resort, we’d all had our fair share of day trips to do some tubing and skiing. Cole and Trina took Jonah and me last winter, my first time being able to afford such a thing, and we’d had a blast zipping down the hills right by the string of condos where Graham was staying. A three-story building, you only had to go inside to get the elevator upstairs. The downstairs condos all had parking on one side, and then the view of the slopes on the other.

I headed up to Graham’s door with trepidation taking over, slowing my steps and stealing the warmth from my fingers. I’d be in such a better position to see him if I knew what I wanted. If I’d thought anything I wanted was possible.

My hand lifted, and my knuckles barely grazed the door before it flung open. Warm air from the inside rushed toward me, and it took all my nerves and fears right along with it.

There he was, arm extended, same arrogant grin, same well-built body. All that caring expression and soft eyes plastered on his face for the entire world to see, and it was directed at me.

He reminded me of exactly how he used to look when I’d come to see him. Absolutely thrilled, with maybe a hint of honor. I’d never quite understood it, but man, it felt just as good now as it did then.

“Stalking me?” I teased.

“Anxiously pacing.” He grinned right back and stepped aside. “Can’t even lie about that. Half expected you to text me and cancel.”

I shrugged and stepped inside, slipping out of my sandals as I did. “I half expected to do it myself.”

The door closed behind me, forcing Graham to move closer. Man, he was tall. I wasn’t short, but I’d always liked the fact I’d had to lift my chin to meet his gaze. Those dark eyes of his were richer, no less darker, and I was certain there were more gold flecks rimming the pupils. “It’s good to see you.”

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