Page 31 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
Holly’swe’reonlyfriendsvibe, filled the room, like we were in one of those plastic ball pits. As much as I tried to relax while watchingWreck It Ralph, I couldn’t breathe, like when as a kid, I’d thought I would never get out of that grimy ball pit of death.
Did she really have to sit on the opposite end of the sectional to prove her point? Her head twisted at an odd angle to watch the television. If she moved to the seat by mine, her head wouldn’t be so strained. I’d call her out on it, but her mom seemed to be so caught up in the movie that I didn’t dare.
When Holly had first mentioned her mom joining us, I’d thought she was using her as a buffer. Now I understood. Holly’s mom was sick. This must be the vague “thing” she couldn’t get out of to come into work early. She had to help her mom, and that was probably why Holly lived here. What was Deidre’s illness? Cancer? MS? Heart failure? A different disease? The scarf on her head indicated hair loss, possibly from cancer treatment. I’d have to ask Holly later.
I also wanted to ask Holly where her non-work clothes had been hiding, because those jeans.Daa-ang.From the moment I’d seen Holly, her beauty and fiery spirit had captured my attention. But the pants she wore to work, while flattering, had nothing on the way her petite yet delicious curves fit into those jeans, showing off her assets to perfection. A part of me longed to take her in my arms, to let my hand slide a little low to fully appreciate her backside.
I didn’t want another romantic relationship, but the moment Holly had turned around by the front door, I had been tempted to retract my statement because attraction had flared to life in my gut. Sure, I came across gorgeous women all the time. But Holly was different.
Thankfully, sanity won out, and I tamped downallfeelingsother than friendship. I refused to mess up my chances for promotion to regional manager.
The movie credits played. Deidre stirred to my left, where she sat in the recliner. I blinked, amazed that I’d watched the entire movie but hadn’t seen a single moment of Ralph and Vanellope’s story. My popcorn bowl sat untouched in my lap.
“That was adorable. I can’t believe we haven’t seen it before,” Deidre said, stretching her arms above her.
“There’s a second one, if you want to stay and watch it,” Holly offered, twisting her neck side to side.
Stubborn woman.
Deidre shook her head. “I’m wiped. Maybe I’ll watch the other one tomorrow. I’m going to take a nap.”
“Do you want lunch first?” Holly stood.
“Just some pudding. I’ll eat in my bed.” Deidre gripped each armrest, ready to work herself to standing.
I jumped forward, setting the popcorn on the coffee table. “May I help you get to where you need to go?”
Holly stopped halfway across the room, waiting for her mom’s response.
She smiled softly at me. “That would be just fine, Rhett. Thank you.”
I moved to the side of the green recliner, gripping her forearms. “On the count of three. Ready?”
She bobbed her navy and green silk-scarved head.
“One. Two. Three.” I pulled her up until she stood. I bent down, snatching the blanket from the floor so she didn’t trip.
“Thank you.”
“Do you need help getting to your room?” I asked.
Her eyes held a teasing glint. “We’ve just met. I think it’s a little too soon to be asking to see my bedroom.”
Holly let out a mortified gasp. “Mom!”
I burst out in laughter. I liked Deidre’s humor. “You saw right through me. I’ll have to work harder next time,” I teased.
She winked at me. “I can make it on my own. It was a pleasure to meet you, Rhett. Please don’t be a stranger.”
I grinned. “With a spitfire like you, I won’t be able to stay away.”
Deidre looked at Holly and pointed at me. “I like him.”
A satisfied smile lifted my lips. I mouthed to Holly, “She likes me.”
Holly rolled her eyes at us. “I’ll be there in just a minute, Mom.”
I followed Holly into the kitchen. “Your mom is nice.”
