Page 114 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

DAX

Moments Later…

‘We don’t have to go back to the roof if you’re uncomfortable. I’m cool if you’d rather leave here and never deal withBattle of the Blossomsagain.’

‘But what about your dad’s shop?’

‘I’ll figure out something else. You come first, Hols.’

She thinks on it for a moment, the two of us standing in the hallway outside the stairwell leading to the roof full of our family and friends.

‘No. This is important to you. Which means it’s important to me. You come first too, and you’ve earned this opportunity. Let’s finish the show.’

I hold her hand tightly as we walk up the stairs to the roof, all eyes on us as we come outside. Jillian grins, waving us over. The walk across the rooftop is a tad nerve-racking considering every head is turned our way.

Here we go. If our relationship was secret before, it’s not now.

Leo, Celeste, and their assistants are standing near Jillian already like they’ve been waiting on us.

‘I hear you had a bit of a hiccup, but things are good now?’ Jillian asks, glancing between Hollyn and me, her gaze moving to our hands, which are intertwined in a way that makes my heart race every time.

I nod.

‘Alright then!’ Jillian says. ‘Who’s ready to celebrate our top two?’

Most of the people here are our friends and family and the ridiculous hoots and hollers from the Matthews make me grin. I pull Hollyn’s hand to my chest, holding it in both of mine, attempting to breathe through Jillian’s announcement.

‘Leo!’ Jillian says his name excitedly. ‘Congratulations. You got the most votes this week.’

I blow out a breath. Thank god. Win or lose, I won’t be alone with Celeste. Honestly, I kind of hope I lose. I’m over it. I just want to go home, make up with Hollyn, and move on with our lives. I’ll figure out how to deal with the shop. Maybe it’s just not meant to be?

‘Celeste and Dax.’

Even Jillian using our names in the same sentence makes my skin crawl. Hollyn grips my hand even tighter.

‘Celeste, darling. Hard lessons were learned today. We have rules for a reason. You’ll be going home this week because you didn’t follow those rules.’ She doesn’t sugar-coat it one bit. Not even when Celeste bursts out crying, her sister comforting her.

Did the truth come out while I was searching for Hollyn? She never lifts her head as Jillian speaks. Are they punishing her? It sure seems that way.

Jillian’s gaze moves to Hollyn and me. ‘Something’s changed with you two,’ she says with a grin.

I glance out at our friends and family. All their eyes are on us, most of them with goofy grins on their faces as they aren’t just finding out the results tonight.

‘I uh – I came to this show based on my skills as a florist, and I think I’d rather focus on that, not air our personal life if that’s alright?’

Jillian nods. ‘I only ask because our viewers have taken quite an interest in you two. We don’t need to discuss anything besides the fact that you’re in our final two. You got only a dozen votes less than Leo.’

Our families cheer like they’re at a Super Bowl as I pull Hollyn to me, kissing the top of her head. The top two. Wow.

‘Before we disperse, I want to say one thing. One of you has stood out to me over the last few weeks.’ Jillian walks our way, stopping in front of Hollyn. ‘Hollyn, I’ve seen so much growth in you. In one of our interviews, you were asked what you wanted to do with your life. You answered with “I don’t know”.’

Hollyn nods.

‘I’d like to make a suggestion. You’ve partnered with one of the best florists on the west coast. And in a matter of weeks, I’d never have guessed you hadn’t been in this business as long as he has. I think you’re a florist, Hollyn. You have an eye for it, and you and Dax work so well together I wouldn’t feel right leaving here not suggesting you make this a partnership. You two are going places. I feel it in my bones.’

Hols’ gaze moves to Mercy, the two of them smiling at Jillian’s words. Maybe an inside joke? I don’t know. I don’t get it. But I agree with Jillian completely. Hols has developed an eye for flowers.

‘Thank you,’ Hollyn says to Jillian. ‘A partnership with this one would be amazing. But I’ll let him decide that. I’m just happy to be a part of this competition with him. Because of the show, I got someone important from my past back in a way I’d never imagined. I have no regrets.’

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