Page 40 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

‘What are you doing here?’ Hollyn asks River.

‘Dad called this morning. I thought I’d stop in and see how you two were. Had ya a little fight, did ya?’ He jumps around his sister, throwing pretend punches at her while laughing.

‘Shut it,’ Hols says, shoving him into the wall as she walks towards the bathroom. ‘It was way scarier than that.’

‘That’s Hollyn, River’s sister,’ I tell Brynn. ‘She’s staying here after a break-up. She uh…’ I stall, almost afraid to say the words I’m about to say. ‘I askedherto be my assistant.’

The incredulous stare from Brynn isn’t making me feel better about any of this.

‘In my defense, I didn’t know you wanted to do it.’

‘It’s not that Iwantedto…’ She grabs a piece of pineapple from the edible flowers. ‘I just assumed you’d choose the gal who got you the gig.’

‘Sorry. You have a baby, a business, and a husband. I thought you were booked. Hols needs a job, and I have a spot for her.’

‘So, you’re paying her. Like an employee?’

I grab a strawberry from the arrangement, shoving it into my mouth and hoping for a sudden allergy. One simple, not quite fatal, allergic reaction would do. Is that too much to ask?

‘I hadn’t exactly thought that far ahead.’

‘And you two are…’ Brynn motions the index finger of one hand through the O shape of the other. ‘Don’t you think that will complicate things?’

‘She’s only staying here until she gets on her feet. There is no…’ I motion the crude gesture back to her.

‘Yet.’

‘Ever.’

One thought that went through my mind like a news ticker last night has been decided; I can never sleep with Hollyn. We’ve already complicated things enough, and if I want a chance at buying back my dad’s store, I can’t get overly involved with her.

‘I know you,’ Brynn says. ‘She’s gorgeous; you’re easy. Give it time.’

I shake my head, pulling her all the way into the kitchen with me, so River won’t overhear us.

‘You’re wrong about this one. She’s River’s sister. We have a rule we don’t sleep with each other’s exes or family. She’s just gotten out of a terrible relationship that came to a head last night. Is she beautiful? My god,yes. But this is strictly business, Brynn. I can’t expect you to give up your responsibilities; you’ve already done enough. Don’t you think?’

She shrugs, pulling a spike of cantaloupe from the edible bouquet. ‘I suppose I have. It’s not a big deal. Actually, it means I could coordinate watch parties.Oh, I kind of like that more.’

‘A party planner is going to plan, am I right?’

‘You’re totally right,’ she agrees. ‘This is good.’ She grins. ‘But I’ve gotta get. I just dropped Zoey off at daycare so I could clean the house. Keep me in the loop!’

‘Will do,’ I say, following her across the room and closing the front door behind her as she leaves.

‘This is a busy apartment,’ Hollyn says, emerging from the bathroom. ‘Was that another woman with an arrangement?’

‘That was my cousin, Brynn. The one that signed me up forBattle of the Blossoms. She was under the impression I’d choose her as my assistant.’

Hollyn looks concerned. ‘Is she mad? I understand if you’d rather choose her. I could help River with the documentary.’

‘No, thank you,’ River says as he walks out of his room, as if spending time with his sister would be the worst thing.

‘Why are you even here?’ she asks him.

‘Needed some things.’ He lifts the gym bag in his hands as proof. ‘And I wanted to make sure you two were still alive. Then give Daxy here a high five for beating down Professor Buttpipe.’

He raises a hand to me, but I shake my head. He frowns.

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