Page 2 of Holidate Fail
She froze for an instant as her long ago dream of being in his arms became a reality. His sun-warmed biceps held her tight for a moment before releasing her. For her nerdy high-school self, she acknowledged the pang in her heart at seeing him now. Did he still smell like amber and spice?
She inhaled deeply over the aroma of peaches and boiled peanuts. Damn, he smelled even better, like fresh pine and a scent all his own.
“Wow, Dee Dee Pesch. How are you?”
She held back a cringe at the hated nickname. “I go by Dahlia now.”
“Dahlia.” Her name rolled off his tongue as if he was tasting it. “It’s been so long, I almost didn’t recognize you.” He tapped her headband of braids. “But I should have, with this hairstyle.”
Dahlia couldn’t tell if that was an insult or a compliment or a random statement, so she settled on the last one. All he likely ever saw of her was the top of her head, since her nose had always been in a book. The better to glance at him over the pages and sigh with longing.
She used to dream he’d sit next to her and ask what she was reading, and she could stare into his brilliant green eyes. He’d forgo the hot cheerleaders for her more rounded body and put his arm around her shoulders and chastely kiss for a while before having an intellectual discussion about how Mr. Bennet was the real villain ofPride and Prejudicefor not planning for his daughters’ futures, or how the theme of family love was woven seamlessly intoA Wrinkle in Time.
“Did you know your name means warrior?” She latched on to something to say. It was either etymology or how his nearness made her shiver even after all this time. “Very apt for this competition we’re about to enter. I mean, a tri-county scavenger hunt, right? Though I suspect that it doesn’t have to be all brawn to win in a battle. Brains are important, too.”
Kelly’s eyebrows dipped over his eyes, which were still the exact green shade of the moss at the base of the live oaks.
Yeah, go ahead and tell him that, too.
Dahlia spoke faster. “Not that I’m implying that you’re stupid or anything. I mean, I know you’re not stupid. Warriors need brains, if they’re going to survive. Just that…” Just that what, Dahlia? You haven’t seen him in years and the first thing you do is insult his intelligence. Way to go.
So much for bold and brave. Jittery and jumpy were more like it.
She waved a hand, dismissing her own actions. She’d try for bold and brave once Kelly was gone. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” She swallowed hard and folded her arms against her chest as if that could prevent her next high-strung word vomit. “How are you?”
Being a cinematic heroine was harder than it looked.
She’d never really seen the word nonplussed in action, but she suspected she was looking at it on Kelly’s handsome face. His mouth pinched slightly at the corners and a furrow appeared between his brows. At least he wasn’t laughing or making fun of her.
His face relaxed as he gave a warm chuckle that encased her like his hug. “You sure haven’t changed much. God, how long has it been? Ten years, at least.”
“At least.” Ooh, that one hurt. She had changed. With the amount of introspection she’d been doing, reinventing herself and branching out of her comfort zone, hearing she hadn’t doused her spirit faster than almond plants sucked up water.
“You sure you’re okay?” His eyes were more concerned than trepidatious, and he reached out to rest a hand on her upper arm.
She stared at his fingers resting against her skin. First the hug and now he was touching her arm? When had he ever touched her before? Besides passing the green beans when he stayed for dinner. Surely she’d remember that awareness, that spot of warmth on her skin where they made contact.
He must have misread her look because he removed his hand. “Sorry.”
She opened her mouth to tell him it was okay, touch her anywhere, anytime, when she heard her name coming from an adjacent conversation.
Kelly followed her gaze. “Who’s he?”
“My date.” She tried injecting enthusiasm into her voice. It could be Heath. She gave the man a half-wave, careful not to make a fool out of herself again. He returned it and made his way over to her and Kelly.
Now this, without a doubt, was the man in the Holidates app. Standing at about five foot nine, he had broad shoulders and warm hazel eyes. His skin was less tan than Kelly’s, but he wasn’t exactly her sunburn-ready pale. In person, he exuded the same easy confidence that she’d picked up from his app profile and the few text messages they’d exchanged.
“Dahlia!” Heath wrapped his arms around her in an engulfing hug.
Kelly stiffened beside her.
“Oh, uh, is this what we’re doing?” She patted Heath’s arm with short, choppy strokes while she stepped away from him. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
“Same.” He reached to shake Kelly’s hand. “Hey.”
“What, I don’t get a hug?” Kelly held his arms wide open.
Dahlia swallowed her laugh as Heath mirrored his pose, but Kelly lowered his arms with a grin. “It’s good.”
