Page 67 of The Inn Dilemma

“Regret?” Reese pushes away from the island. “That was not regret. Confusion, maybe, but not regret. It’s clear that he’s–”

“Don’t say it.” I hold up a hand.

Reese crosses her arms over her chest. “Will you let me finish?” She raises a brow and purses her lips.

Hanging my head, I release a defeated sigh, and say, “No. Because what you’re about to say just isn’t true. He was caught up in the moment. Nothing more.”

Reese rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so cliche. It’s clear he wants more with you. That was just the perfect excuse to do what he’s wanted to.”

His words come back to haunt me."Oh trust me, my SuperNova, there is only one friend I’ve wanted to kiss.”Could Reese be right?

The mere thought of facing Holt again to pursue the answer to that question causes my stomach to churn. How can I look at him without thinking about what it’d be like to kiss him again? How can I look at him again without seeing the hope of a future with him?

“Fine. Just give me tonight to gather myself and I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

“Pinky promise me.” She holds out her pinky like we did when we were kids.

I wrap my pinky around hers. “I promise.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Holt

The next day, I can focus on nothing except kissing Nova and the conversation I need to have with her. The conversation where I lay it all out there, open up my heart to her, and share my true intentions.

I text all the guys—and Chantelle—hoping at least some of them will be up for a ride today because I desperately need to clear my head.

Caius and Des are the only two available, and we agree to meet at the overlook.

When I arrive, they’re both there waiting for me, helmets off. Their expressions only remind me of last night’s mess.

I help Tootsie off the back of my bike, clicking her leash onto her collar. Titan remains asleep in the carrier on my chest.

Des leans down and pets Tootsie. Caius shakes his head and laughs.

He points at Titan, and I assume he’ll have one of his smart remarks, but instead he asks,“So Christian’s sister, huh?”

I flip up my visor and narrow my eyes at him. “Shut up. I didn’t ask you guys to ride for some chick talk.”

Des gives me a self-satisfied smile. “Fine. Then let’s get going.”

I flip my visor back down, then Des and Caius slide on their helmets. They get on their bikes as Tootsie hops back onto her seat and I strap her in, removing her leash. Once I’m on, I rev my engine and coast onto the open road, my two friends following.

Fall has hit Colorado full force. The trees are radiant colors of red, orange, and yellow. The sky is overcast, but there’s no hint of rain. It’s my favorite weather to ride in and I’m grateful for it.

“So, back to Nova,” Des says.

I growl into my mic, “That’s not why I wanted to go riding.”

“If kissing Nova at Brokedown in front of everyone didn’t give you a reason to want to go riding today, I don’t know what would,” Des goes on as if he didn’t hear me. “Feels a little bit like payback from how you teased me about Maya,” he mutters.

I twist the throttle and take off, attempting to drown out Des’s words. For a man who’s quiet most of the time, he sure has a lot to say about Nova.

The guys easily catch up when I drop back down to the speed limit. The last thing I need is a ticket.

“Calm down, Holt,” Cai says, and I growl.

Des and Caius’s laughter fills my helmet.

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