Page 41 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

‘Seriously,’ Hols says to me. ‘Choose whoever will help you win. Don’t risk your dad’s shop for me.’

My phone dings on the counter next to me, an incoming text popping up on the screen. McKenzie from the show. I sent her an email as I lay awake last night to let her know I’d picked my assistant.

‘I’ve pretty much made it official already. This is someone with the show. She wants to meet up tomorrow afternoon and go over everything before the first challenge this weekend.’ I glance at my phone. ‘She says you’ll need to sign some paperwork too.’

‘Sure,’ Hollyn says, a slight grin on her face.

‘Gotta go,’ River interrupts us. ‘Mom’s expecting me.’ He walks into the kitchen, pulling a fruit spear from Brynn’s bouquet.

‘You two better behave. I don’t want to walk in here and find you in each other’s arms again. Got it?’ He waggles his finger at me as thoughI’mthe culprit here.

Hollyn’s eyes go wide as she grimaces. ‘It was completely innocent, Riv. We’re not horny teenagers.’

Well,someof us aren’t anyway.

‘He was mad?’ Hollyn asks as soon as the door closes behind him.

I shake my head as I pull the toaster from the cabinet. ‘Notmad. More surprised?’

‘I’m sorry,’ she says meekly.

‘Stop being sorry, Hols. You did nothing wrong.’ I sigh, leaning on the countertop with my hands.

‘River lives by this stupid bro code thing. We aren’t allowed to get involved with each other’s exes or families.’ I look at her. ‘I think I agree with him. We shouldn’t cross that line. You’re just getting out of a relationship, and I have this competition to focus on.’

Hollyn hops up onto one of the barstools across the island from me. ‘I could never… withyou? No. Totally out of bounds.’

‘You don’t need to say it like I’m repulsive.’

‘You’re far from repulsive.’ Her eyes go wide. ‘Wait, I didn’t mean it likethat. I meant last night I was… humiliated? Terrified? You made me feel safe, Dax. That’s all.’ She glances up at me with just her eyes.

Be still my heart.

‘I need to know we’re on the same page, Hols.’

‘Totally. I’m on the page…’ She opens her hands like they’re a book, pretending to read it.

‘Good. So, tell me, what do you know about flowers?’

‘I know what they are.’

‘Wanna go on some deliveries with me this morning? Get a feel for it?’

‘Sure, that could be fun.’

She’s the most annoying girl in the world, just like your sign at the airport said, Dax. She is not sexy as fuck in these blue sweats, tiny tank top, and nerdy glasses. She’s just a girl you used to know who now sleeps in the room next door. Still, I suddenly need air.

‘Get dressed and meet me in the parking lot in thirty.’

10

HOLLYN

Moments Later…

I feel better this morning. Not like my soul’s healed or anything; that’ll take some time, but better. Even considering I hardly slept a wink. And not only because a guy who’d just put himself in danger to protect me was sleeping with his arm around me either.

Most of the night was spent mulling over everything that could have and did go wrong. I put Dax in a position I’m sure he regrets. I knew it the moment he made his ‘we shouldn’t cross that line’ speech. That said, volunteering to help him with the show feels good. As though I have a purpose.

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