Page 107 of Pros Don't

Mallory slips her hand into mine and squeezes.

“I know. I know.” Noah holds up his hands. “I get it. I’m saying we need to look at the big picture here, and this is a serious financial situation you’re both in. Mallory, you obviously need to go home. Be with your family. Holland, you should be here to try to lessen the blow of the fallout. Help with negotiations.”

“Noah’s right. I’ll be okay,” Mallory says, squeezing my hand again.

“I don’t like the thought of you traveling alone. Or…any of it.” What I don’t say is I don’t like the thought of her having to face whatever happens with her mom alone. All I want to do is be there for her. Being on the hook for all the money in the world doesn’t change that.

I’m also afraid of what this turn of events might do to our fledgling relationship. Mallory didn’t say she loved me back. She’s a couple steps behind where I’m at, and I would hate for her to turn in on herself when all I want is for her to turn to me and let me bear some of her burden.

I blow out a breath.It’s not about you, Holland.I need to trust Mallory. I need to trust the foundation we’ve built. If she needsspace, I’ll give her space. If she needs hands-on support, I’ll figure out a way to give her that. I’m not going anywhere.

“I can handle it.” She stands up a little straighter, and I don’t know if she’s trying to convince herself or me, but either way, I give her credit. Mallory has always been a take-charge type person. She’s falling apart, but at the same time, she’s putting one foot in front of the other and doing what she has to do. I didn’t think it was possible for my admiration for her to grow, but here we are.

I pull her into a hug. “I know you can. I wish you didn’t have to.”

“I want to get home,” she admits. “It’s worse being here and not knowing what’s going on there.”

As much as it pains me to let her go, I understand. The waiting and the unknown is the hardest part. “You should go, then.”

“I’m driving her to the airport in Green Bay. I’ll make sure she gets through security.” Daisy makes eye contact with me over Mallory’s shoulder, and I offer her a nod of thanks. “I’ll take good care of her for you.”

Mallory steps back, but I keep my grip on the tops of her arms, holding her in place in front of me. “Call me. Text me. Keep me updated. I will do whatever you and your family need. Promise you’ll tell me what that is.”

“I will. Thank you,” she whispers, her eyes glassy. “I’m sorry to leave you with the mess here.”

“Don’t think another second about it.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter, and we’ll get it sorted out. Trust me to take care of this for you.”

She chews on her lip and nods. “I’ve got to go.”

I lean toward her and place a featherlight kiss on her lips and then on her forehead. She shudders and wraps her arms around me for one last quick hug, and then she’s trailing Daisy out the door of the kitchen.

41

Oh Brother

Holland

“You alright?” Noah asks as I stare after Mallory.

“I’m not sure.”

He winces. “I know the timing isn’t ideal, but we really shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“Okay.” I blow out a breath. “Can you give me one second to get my head right?”

“Of course, man. Take your time. I’ll cover for you.” He slaps me on the shoulder and leaves me alone.

I slump into a chair at Daisy’s kitchen table and massage my temples. My brain needs to be in the negotiations withMEM, but my heart is about to board a plane to Fort Walton Beach. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.

My head snaps up when the outside door to the kitchen creaks open. I’m halfway out of my chair—thinking it’s Mal and she forgot something andthank goodnessbecause I get to see her again and pull her in close—when Mack walks inside.

“Oh.” I sit back down with a thud, heart plummeting into my stomach. “Hey, man.”

“Hey.” My brother assesses me with an inscrutable look. He doesn’t say anything.

I massage the back of my neck. “Uh, what are you doing here?”

He pulls up the chair next to me. “Daisy texted Poppy. Told her what’s going on.”

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