Page 56 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
“No way,” Noah protested, smacking the table. “We’re playing until I win.”
Deidre patted my knee under the table. The other three continued to bicker. At one point, Holly and Trevor each had a hand on the game box, playing tug of war with it.
Deidre leaned toward me. “Did anyone warn you our game mornings are heated? I’m afraid our Irish blood makes us all extremely competitive. Holly chooses this one because it’s the one that gives her the most trouble, and until she conquers it, she won’t be satisfied.”
That sounded like Holly. I whispered back, “I’m afraid I was not adequately prepared for the nature of this visit, but despite the lack of warning, I assure you, I’m enjoying myself. You don’t need to worry what I’ll think about these three when we’re done.”
“Not even Holly?”
Had she caught me staring at Holly at some point during the game? My gazehadwandered in Holly’s direction one too many times. She’d put waves in her hair again, and the pink shirt she wore added color to her cheeks and accentuated her blue eyes. “I like this version of Holly. It’s very different from the one at work.”
“Don’t blame her for that. She’s always struggled with how to keep up in a man’s world. From growing up with these two to going into a profession that is male dominated, she doesn’t understand that by being herself, she’s more than enough. Instead, she controls everything, thinking it keeps her life in order.”
Based on the comments Holly had made about her management style, her mom nailed it. Holly thought by being controlling, she’d get the outcome she wanted. That wasn’t the case. If the staff could see this side of her, she’d only endear herself to them and make them want to work harder.
“I agree with you. Holly is amazing and needs to let others see that part of her.”
Deidre studied my face, then her eyes widened in understanding. “You’re good for her.”
I wanted to be.
The back door to the restaurant slammed closed. Excellent. Holly had arrived. I waited until the door to her office opened, until I heard the bottom drawer where she kept her purse closed, and until the roll of her chair indicated she was turning on her computer. I’d watched her routine enough to know exactly what Holly did every time she came to work.
Pushing my chair back, I stood and strolled to Holly’s office. Leaning against the doorjamb, I cleared my throat to get her attention. “Dewhurst family game days are quite the adventure.”
Holly dropped her face into her hands and moaned. “I’m so embarrassed.”
I dropped into the chair across from hers. “Why?”
She met my gaze. “You saw me. I turned into a screaming lunatic.”
She totally had. I bit back a smile. “Your mom told me how competitive you all are. I enjoyed it.”
“How?” she demanded. “You’d have to be as crazy as we are to think any part of that was fun.”
It had been fun seeing a different side of her. “If I had to choose between playing games with my parents or being thrown in with your lot, I’d choose yours.”
Her shoulders released some of the tension bunching them upward. “When you put it that way, it makes sense. I’m still sorry you had to see me like that though.”
I longed to walk around her desk, pull her into my arms, and show her how happy being around her made me.
“Holly?” I said softly. Tenderly.
“Hmm?”
“I liked seeing that side of you.”
Her cheeks tinged pink. “You’re not questioning my sanity?”
How could I when she had every right to question mine after Thursday night? I slowly shook my head. “No. I’m wondering how I can get that Holly to let herself out more often, especially here at work.”
She shot me a dry look. “I’m not going to turn into a competitive, yelling fool in front of the staff.”
Was she serious? My brows furrowed. “I did not see a yelling fool. If that’s what you think of yourself, we have some work to do. I witnessed someone who didn’t care what others thought about her and stood up for herself.”
She let out a disbelieving laugh. “You are good at twisting words, Rhett. Or maybe you’re just in denial. All the same, I thank you for your compliments on my distasteful behavior.”
“Don’t do that.”
