Page 51 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
“A yacht.” I chortled. “He doesn’t even know how to sail.”
Jack’s brows rose. “Did he hire a captain?”
Psh. “Probably not. TheTuscany Dreamwill sit in the harbor, unused. He just likes to say he owns a yacht.”
“Your family is weird.”
Wasn’t everyone’s? I laughed. “Have you met yours?”
Jack grunted and went back to the rowing machine. “Besides Holly, how is work going? Will you get that promotion and then be able to open your own company after that?”
Before yesterday’s meeting with Uncle Anthony, I was confident we’d reach our goal and I’d be opening my own business soon. Now? My optimism faded. “Hopefully just one more year with Uncle Anthony, and then I’ll be ready.”
“I’m happy for you, man.”
“Thanks.” I picked up my weights. “You’ll get there too, you know.”
“Maybe.”
I had full confidence my friend would find his path in life. As for me? I had to not let Uncle Anthony’s expectations defeat me.
And I had to discover if Holly felt the same about me—and if she did, what we were going to do about it.
Chapter 21
Holly
OurSundaybrunchandgame time were ready to go, except for Rhett. It wasn’t like him to be late. Did he not want to come? Had he forgotten? The waffles, muffins, bacon, and scrambled eggs sat on the kitchen island, getting cold. The stack of boardgames waited on an unused dining chair pushed into the window seat of the bay window.
Where was he?
Things had been awkward at the restaurant the last two nights. Like we wanted to talk, but didn’t know exactly what to say to each other, so instead we didn’t really interact at all. I was dying to know exactly what happened to Rhett Thursday night. I wanted to ask him if it had just been because of something at the meeting, or if he really was sick, or if it had been something else altogether.
Noah strolled into the formal living room, where I paced.
“No sign of lover-boy yet?”
I scowled. “He’s just a friend. And no, not yet.”
“Fornow,he’s just a friend.” He threw an arm around my shoulders. “You know, there is this modern invention called a cell phone.” Noah whipped his cell out of his jeans pocket and waved it in my face. “It allows you to talk to someone no matter where they are. Maybe you should try it?”
I shoved his arm. “I’m giving him a few more minutes before calling. He might be stuck in traffic or something.”
He shot me a disbelieving look. “Puh-lease. On a Sunday morning? What traffic?”
“Why are you even in here?” My cousin was super annoying at times. “Go eat or something.”
“Your mom needs to take her medicine soon. I’m trying to get her to eat beforehand, but she’s waiting for you to start.”
Oh. Guilt for stressing over Rhett and forgetting Mom gnawed at me. “Right. Let’s eat, then. If Rhett comes, he comes. If he doesn’t, we can still have fun. It’s my week to win Telestrations.”
Noah smirked. “Hols, you are talented at many things. Drawing isn’t one of them.”
I pinched his side. “Like you have room to talk. Your stick figures are worse than mine.”
He jerked away from me. “I’m not the one claiming to be good at it.”
“I still don’t know how you won last week.”
