Page 101 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

‘Oh my god,’ she says, with a sigh of relief once I’ve got both hands on it.

She’s still holding a stem in the air where the arrangement was as I get it back to standing.

‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Accidents happen, Hols. Just uh – go easy. You’re doing great. We’re almost done.’

My phone rings in my pocket. Sydney’s name is on the screen when I pull it out. I need to do this now.

‘I’ll be right back,’ I say to Hols before half jogging out of the room to answer the call. ‘Sydney,’ I say into the phone quietly, hoping Hollyn doesn’t overhear and worry about this.

‘Did you get my text? I have an idea for tonight, and I’m absolutely certain you won’t have the problem you did last time.’

‘Um,actually… I can’t.’

‘You’re busy? We can do tomorrow? I’m free all week. Doing a little staycation from work.’

‘No, I uh – I’m gonna have to pull out.’ Ugh. Why’d I use those words?

‘Bareback rides are a no-go. You know this.’

‘Unfortunate choice of words,’ I say with a laugh. ‘I mean, bail. I’ve met someone, and I can’t do this anymore. I can’t risk hurting her.’ I stare into the room at Hollyn as I speak, grinning like a boy in love. I couldn’t rein it in if I wanted to.

She’s got a single flower stem between her teeth as she weaves one into the arrangement gently as if she’s disarming a bomb. She’s getting good at this.

Sydney sighs into the phone. ‘It’s lightsaber girl, isn’t it?’

‘Yeah, lightsaber girl swept me off my feet, and I went all in. Gonna have to cancel our arrangement.’

‘Damn,’ she says. ‘I kind of guessed after the other night. I could tell your head was somewhere else.’

‘Understatement of the year, but absolutely correct. I’m sorry.’

I don’t know what else to say. She’s a lawyer for crying out loud. When we first talked this out, she suggested signing anactualcontract. After my balking at that for five minutes, she claimed she was kidding, and we moved on casually.

‘You don’t owe me an apology, Dax. I’m just wondering where I might find someone of your uh –skill level.’ She half laughs, but I can tell she’s serious, and I’m flattered.

‘Can’t say I’ve got any recommendations.’

‘Not a problem. I hope things work out, but you know where to find me if they don’t.’

‘Pretty sure I’m off the market for good.’

She lets out a gasp. ‘Dax Hartley. Did you fall in love?’

Hollyn glances out at me as though she’s heard her, which I know is impossible. She flashes me a smile.

‘I sure did,’ I say, not even questioning it. ‘Hard.’

‘Wow!’ She laughs. ‘I’m truly happy for you. I guess I’ll see ya around?’

‘See ya, Syd.’ I hang up, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

‘Off the market for good?’ Jake asks, walking up behind me. ‘Is that what I just heard you say?’

I drop my head. Of course he’d be standing behind me.

‘Maybe.’

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