Page 30 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
“Where should I put this?” He jiggled the canvas bag he held. “I need to pop the popcorn too.”
“Right this way.” I led him to the back of the house, where the kitchen, dining room, and family room all connected together. “Put the snacks and drinks on the coffee table, and I’ll go pop the popcorn. How many bags should I do?”
Normally popcorn and candy were not breakfast foods, but today they were. My stomach growled in anticipation since I hadn’t eaten yet despite having been up for a few hours.
“I’ll take a bag for myself.” Rhett passed me a blue box of popcorn with the words “butter lovers” on the front—the best kind.
“I’m glad you said that,” I replied. “I always eat a bag as well, but then I feel like a pig gorging on so much since we also have soda and candy.”
Rhett snorted.
“What?” I paused by the dining table, turning over my shoulder to look at him.
His gaze traveled up and down the backside of my body, lingering a moment on my butt. Heat traveled through my veins as he openly stared.
“You are not a pig.”
Well, well, well. Looks like I made the right decision wearing my skinny jeans.Thank you, Noah, for imparting that nugget of truth on me.
I whipped my head forward, walking into the kitchen. Taking a package out of the box, I unwrapped the bag and tossed it in the microwave, then grabbed big bowls to hold our salty snack.
A shuffling sound behind me made me turn around. Mom slowly made her way to the recliner where she always sat. “Hello,” Mom said.
As soon as Rhett saw Mom, he rushed over to her side, slipping her arm into the crook of his elbow. “Hi. You must be Holly’s mom. She said you might join us. I’m Rhett, her—” His unsure gaze flicked to mine from across the large room.
“Coworker and friend,” I filled in.
He smiled, no doubt pleased I’d claimed him as a friend even though I’d confirmed as much yesterday.
“I’m Deidre. Holly invited me to crash your party. I hope you don’t mind.”
Rhett helped Mom get situated in her chair, tucking a blanket around her sides. Something in my heart tugged. Longing? Attraction? Fondness? All of the above?
I clamped a hand to my swirling stomach. Uh-oh. I recognized this feeling. I felt this way when reading my fantasy romance novels, when the hero finally declared his love for the heroine.
I wasswooning.
Over Rhett.
Rhett being so sweet and tender with Mom, and how he had stood up for Jessica at the restaurant, really did things to my insides, like turning them to gooey mush.
How had I gotten to this point? And so soon? I’d barely known him a month and had only latched onto the idea of allowing more than a coworker relationship a week ago. Already he’d charged past that, and my body was telling me it wanted him as more than a coworker. As more than a friend.
What would cuddling with him be like? Would I feel safe enveloped in his strong arms? Cared for? Cherished?
But Rhett had never mentioned dating. That subject was taboo, at my insistence. He’d said he didn’t have a girlfriend, but that was all. Also, per Anthony’s rules, we couldn’t be together anyway, so why was I so focused on it? On him—and on wanting more?
Friend-zoned. Rhett wasfriend-zoned.
“Getting to spend my morning with not one, but two, beautiful women is an absolute pleasure.” He smiled adoringly at Mom. “I’m happy you’re joining us.”
Rhett thought I was beautiful?
Stupid friend zone.
Chapter 13
Rhett
