Page 60 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

“It wasn’t your fault,” he said softly, gazing down at me.

“It was my fault,” I whispered. “I trusted him when I shouldn’t have, and now I’m paying the price.”

“I’m sorry this happened to you.” His throat worked. His face was close enough so I could see each individual eyelash.

His eyes had flecks of dark blue, I realized. They weren’t fully gray.

“Me, too.” I rolled my lips to wet them and his gaze dropped to my mouth.

My breath caught and his fingers twitched on the back of my neck. The lights in my head dimmed and my thoughts slowed down. Telling him my deep, dark secret lifted something in me.

His gaze traveled from my mouth to my eyes, then back to my mouth. His lids fell halfway and his gaze went unfocused in the sexiest way. A thrilling littlezing!zipped down to my ladyparts.

We were totally going to kiss again.

Which was… bad, but I forgot why. I wanted to kiss Holden again. His scent was clouding my brain, all spicy and sharp and fucking delicious.

My phone rang in my back pocket.

Holden blinked and the heat in his gaze evaporated. He let me go and took a step back, raking a hand through his hair.

“Hello?” I answered. I sounded breathless.

“Sadie,” a warm, familiar voice said in my ear and I blinked.

“Claire.” I smiled. “Hi.”

Claire Shi was one of my teachers back in my design program. I had worked with her for my final design project back in school and a couple times a year, we got coffee to catch up. She was a partner at a design firm in Toronto. I loved talking about design with her and hearing about the exciting projects and lessons learned. I considered her a mentor.

I had always wanted to work for her, but the timing was never right.

“Um, can I call you back?” I asked, watching Holden. “In an hour or so?”

“Oh, sure thing. I was calling to talk about the job offer.”

I froze. “Job offer?”

Holden frowned at a nearby tree.

“I emailed you a couple days ago, did I send it to the wrong email? We have a position open and I know you’re starting your own firm but I wanted to see if you knew anyone who would be good for the role.”

My stomach clenched. She didn’t know about Grant and I. Of course, how would she know? It wasn’t like it was in the news.

I chewed my lip, frowning. “Actually, that fell through.”

“Oh.” She sounded surprised. “Well, you’re my first pick if you’re interested. You know I’ve wanted you on my team for years.”

And I’d wanted to work for her for years. Claire was an incredible designer, and her projects ranged from restaurants to hotel suites to vacation homes. I hadalwayswanted to work for her.

This was my dream. After all the Grant stuff, I had no clue what to do once I got back to Toronto. I figured I’d find an interior design job somewhere, but this was the best possible outcome.

I glanced at the surrounding forest and then at Holden, who was watching and listening with a frown, and my heart gave a little pull.

I liked this place. I liked working at the bar with Olivia, and wandering through the forest with Holden, and I loved renovating the inn for Katherine.

I couldn’t stay, though. Toronto was home for me, not Queen’s Cove. I had a whole life back there. Willa and all my other friends. All my favorite coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.

“I want the job,” I rushed. “I would love to work for you if you’ll have me.”

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