Page 64 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

Maybe that was Holden’s big flaw, that he spent so much time taking care of other people. Who took care of Holden, though?

Avery shifted her legs to the side and stood up. “You want to take us on that tour?”

I let them around the inn, showing them our plans for the secret library, how we were going to open up the foyer, and where we would add windows. They laughed at the gaudy wallpaper in the upstairs bedrooms and I showed them photos of the big, heavy furniture that had been there until the thrift store workers had taken it away that afternoon.

“And this is my room,” I said, leaning on the doorframe as they wandered in. “It used to be Katherine’s, that’s why it has that little office—oh.”

The Holden paintings leaned against the desk and Avery beelined straight for them.

She held up one of the paintings of Holden with elation on her face. “Thank you, Jesus.”

My stomach dropped and I rushed over. “Those are a joke.” I tried to take the canvas from her but she held on tight. “I was pissed off at him.”

“Sadie, this is incredible,” Hannah breathed, studying the one of Holden sobbing in the gym.

Olivia doubled over laughing at the painting of him driving his truck with tears rolling down his face.

“Please let me buy this as a gift for Emmett,” Avery pleaded. “Please, Sadie. He’ll lose his mind over this.”

“No one is going to want these,” I insisted, still trying to pull it out of her grasp. “They’re joke paintings.” I shook my head at her. “They’re just for fun.”

Avery stared at me with raised eyebrows. “If Emmett knows this exists, he won’t stop until he gets it.” She glanced back at the painting and burst out laughing. “Has Holden seen this?”

I rolled my eyes, grinning. “Yes. He thought it was funny.”

Hannah studied me for a moment with a thoughtful look on her face, and butterflies filled my stomach.

Olivia found the painting of him crying at the bar and hooted with laughter. “Sadie, let us buy the paintings off you and you can play whatever music you want at the bar for a week.”

I sucked in a breath. “Oooooh. Tempting.” I always had to beg Olivia to put my playlists on. Holden had already seen the paintings and didn’t care, and theywerefunny. I shrugged at them. “Alright, fine. Consider them gifts for giving me such a warm welcome to Queen’s Cove.”

Avery clapped and beamed at me, Hannah gave me a shy smile, and Olivia smirked.

“We’re so happy you’re here,” Avery told me.

My face flushed as I grinned back at them. The circumstances that brought me to this town were unfortunate, but after the day I had with Holden, and now hanging out with these fun, friendly women, I felt comfortable here.

Hannah tilted her head at me with a little smile. “Holden thought these were funny?”

I nodded. “Now that I’m getting to know him better, he’s not as grouchy as I thought he was.” I tilted my head, thinking about him as a teenager, so sullen and quiet.

I didn’t want you to think you weren’t beautiful.

I remembered the flash of insecurity I saw behind his eyes on the boat a few weeks ago, when we talked about him finding someone.

“I think he’s more sensitive than people realize,” I said, picking at my nail polish.

Hannah watched me for a long moment before she nodded. “I think you’re right.”

* * *

After my guestshad gone home, I puttered around the inn, tidying up, turning off lights, and checking door locks before I padded upstairs and slipped into bed.

I opened my bedside drawer and stared at the purple vibrator, my mouth twisting to the side as I weighed my options.

I hadn’t come inweeks. As I stared at the toy, arousal flowed through my blood. Heat grew between my legs and I thought about Holden kissing me.

I hesitated. I was totally going to think about Holden while I came. I’d think about him grinding against my center with that thick, rigid length of his. His hands in my hair. The low groan as his mouth met mine.

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