Page 163 of Give In

“You got it.” He tapped the screen a few times before saying, “Whenever you’re ready.”

I pried my lids open and nearly lost my lunch. “I said a tame one!”

Holden looked a little green, too. “Thisisa tame one. I’d charge you hazard pay if I didn’t like you so much.”

“I’m paying it anyway.” I shuddered. “And then I’m investing in brain bleach.”

“I’m going to have to burn this iPad.”

I laughed as I pulled out my checkbook.

His expression returned to unbiased professional. “Have you changed your mind about the plan?”

“No.”

A wide smile of approval spread across his handsome face. “Have I mentioned how much I like you?”

“That’s just because we’ve singlehandedly funded that shiny new bike you pulled up on.”

He shrugged. “That does help.”

Holden, Brooks’ fraternity brother, had graduated shortly after I’d left the school. And shortly after that, he’d seemingly dropped off the planet. No one had been able to get ahold of him, and he hadn’t reached out.

A couple years later, Governor Rivera had wanted to investigate some whispers, and I’d dug around to find the best PI. I hadn’t believed my eyes when Holden had walked into the meeting. Well, once I’d recognized him.

Gone was Bear.

He still had a thick beard, but it was trimmed neatly, as was his chestnut hair. A jaded hardness had replaced the warmth in his brown eyes. He’d always been thickly muscled, but now it was the body of a man, no sign of boy or teddy bear to be found.

He took the check and tucked it into his shirt pocket. “I’ll spread the images, but only the ones where you can’t see the woman’s face. Anything else?”

I shook my head before feeling a pang of something. Sympathy, maybe. Pity, more than likely. Whatever the reason, I said, “Wait.” I jotted down a name and address. “Send them to her first.”

“Your mom?”

“Not for a long time. But woman to woman, I want to give her the chance to jump ship before it sinks.”

And she will.

Knowing my mother, she’d use the wave of sympathy to lift her to bigger and better.

“Consider it done.” Standing, Holden grabbed the iPad. “Brooks said the twins miss you, but he’s assuming you won’t be coming for their party next weekend.”

I patted my rounded belly. “No travel for another two months, at least.”

He laughed. “It’ll be longer than two months.”

Shrugging, I conceded, “Probably. I’m sending the noisiest toys I can find for their presents.”

“Payback,” he drawled. “I like it.”

Dipping, he kissed my cheek. “I’ll be in touch when it’s done.”

“Thanks. Give Brooks and Alice and the twinkies my love.”

“I will.” He saw himself out, leaving me sitting with my hand on my kicking belly.

And a petty, satisfied smile on my face.

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