Page 2 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

I shook my head with another smile and thanked her before I stepped inside the room.

My smile fell and I froze.

Holden Rhodes sat at the table, arms crossed and glowering at me with the same serious, intense glare he gave me all summer fifteen years ago.

Wow.

He was hot before, with those intense eyes and pretty lashes, but now? Age had been kind to the guy. His face was tanned from the summer, making his gray eyes stand out even more. His thick, dark hair was unruly on top, and he had a five o’clock shadow that only made his jaw look stronger. Tiny lines formed at the corner of his eyes, and I found them ridiculously attractive.

I openly stared at how his black t-shirt stretched over his broad chest. He had gained about forty pounds of pure muscle. Jesus.

Holden Rhodes was even hotter than I remembered.

His eyes raked down me and my stomach flopped.

No wedding ring, I noticed. Not that I cared.

“What are you doing here?” he bit out.

Ha. Wow.Thatwas why there was no ring on his finger.

I gave him a bright, cheery smile to piss him off. “Still a dick, I see.” I took the seat across from him. “Hi, Holden. How are you?”

He scowled at me. “I thought you were leaving.”

God, even his voice was hot. All low and rumbly. Whatever. Asshole. I was done with men and all the problems that came with them until I could figure out why I always picked the wrong guy.

I kept giving him that high-watt smile. “So good to see you again, Holden.”

His jaw tensed and I felt that old ripple of delight at pissing him off.

“How’ve you been?” I continued.

He crossed his arms and ignored me, turning to stare out the window overlooking the town’s main street.

I beamed at him again and his jaw ticked. Giddy happiness warmed my heart. God, I forgot how fun it was, getting on this grouchy asshole’s nerves.

I played with my ponytail and his eyes followed my movements. “Me? I’m doing great, thanks for asking.”

He scowled harder. His gaze dropped to my left hand before his eyes narrowed at my bare finger. My stomach tightened.

“Relax,” I told him. “After the will reading, I’m gone forever.”

When he dragged his gaze to mine, and there was something strange behind his eyes. “Good.”

How the hell didthis guyand my aunt Katherine get along? How was it possible he was raised by Elizabeth, one of the warmest, loveliest women I’d ever met?

I rolled my eyes. After today, I’d never have to see him again.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Elizabeth hustled into the conference room, all warm smiles, and I stood to give her a hug.

“Thank you again for planning the celebration of life,” I said as she squeezed me.

She pulled back and studied me with a wistful expression. “I was happy to.” She shook her head at my face. “Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.”

My gaze flicked to Holden’s and my face heated.

“Good, we’re all here.” Katherine’s lawyer strode into the room and took a seat. “Let’s sit and we can get started.”

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