Page 13 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

He shoves another piece of bacon into his mouth. ‘That part she was clear on. No Mom and Dad until she’s had time to process what happened. She and Dad haven’t spoken in years, and you know Mom and Hols. They’ve got this weird thing about Hollyn making poor decisions and never visiting, dropping out of college for a guy, and a list of other stupid shit I couldn’t care less about.’

I nod. Penny and Hollyn’s relationship has been complicated for as long as I can remember.

‘Maybe Mercy could pick her up?’ I grab my phone, ready to text her.

‘She’s in Los Angeles, remember?’

‘Right.’

I now remember. Mercy and I do a lot of work together in the wedding world. She’s a foul-mouthed, musical genius who plays multiple instruments and is hired for nearly every wedding in the city. She didn’t play at the last one I worked because she’s currently touring with a group of classical musicians playing cathedrals on the west coast.

This isn’t leaving me any options. I could order her an Uber, as could River. But who wants to be welcomed home after being gone nearly a decade with a stranger arriving to pick you up? I can’t do that to her.

‘I guess I can pick her up, but considering I haven’t seen her in years, don’t you think that will be a tad awkward?’

‘If she didn’t want awkward, she should have picked a better week to get dumped.’

‘Please tell me you didn’t say those words to her?’

I don’t have any sisters, but I know a thing or two about how to talk to women, and that isn’t a sentence that would ever leave my lips.

River’s eyes meet mine. ‘Not out loud or anything,’ he says, his mouth full. We’re beyond manners in our relationship.

‘I don’t know how you landed Summer, but may the force always be with you.’ I stand from the barstool I’m perched on, snatching a piece of bacon from the box he’s hoarding.

‘Fine. I’ll pick her up. Where should I drop her off?’

He suddenly chokes on a sip of coffee. ‘Here?’

‘Here?’ I ask. ‘As in the couch? Because there are only two beds in this apartment, and they’re both slept in nightly. By us.’

‘She’ll stay in my room. I’ll spend a few days with Summer to give her some space. You know how well I do with crying, heartbroken women.’

I blink rapidly, choking out an irritated laugh. ‘What amIsupposed to do?’

‘I dunno. Women love you. You’ll figure it out.’

‘If murder wasn’t illegal…’ I mumble, lifting my coffee to my lips.

‘You might be as tall as a damn tree and have more muscle than me, but I’m faster; you’d never catch me.’ He laughs until he registers I’m not thrilled about any of this.

‘You’remad? Forreal?Why?It’s Hollyn. The same girl you had on weekly rotation as you Lone-Ranger style romanced yourself through high school.’

‘Those words better have never left your lips before or after right this second, or I absolutely will catch you. I was a horny teenager.’

He lets out a belly laugh. ‘Yeah, weren’t we all.’

‘You’re kind of putting me in a tough spot here.’

‘Why? You aren’t seriously still in love with her, are you? I thought you’d moved on. If you haven’t, now might be the time.’

I sit on my sectional, resting my head against the back. This is going to be a disaster; I just know it.

‘You can get anyone you want. Why would you still have a thing for my sister?’

‘I don’t still have a thing for her.’

It was a childhood crush. The feelings have completely resolved. I haven’t thought about Hols in years. I’m just shocked to know she’s coming back. That’s all.

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