Page 89 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
I nodded uncontrollably while fleeing Rhett’s office. All we had done was talk, but my body reacted like he’d kissed me senseless.
Sunday could not come soon enough.
Chapter 30
Rhett
IlikedDeidre,Ireally did, but at the moment, I wanted her to suddenly be too tired to watchElfwith Holly and me. Of course, fate did NOT want Holly and me to kiss again. From the moment I rang the doorbell, Deidre hovered like a chaperone worried her daughter’s virtue was in question. We hadn’t had a single moment alone. As much as I wanted to kiss Holly, I was a man in a desert being tortured with the possibility of water, but not getting any. A simple hand hold or hug would do. I just needed a drop of Holly to sustain me until we were alone.
Deidre sat in her recliner, and I sat in what was becoming my usual spot on one end of the couch with Holly a cushion’s distance away from me.
I longed to wrap her in my arms. To hold her close, smelling her subtle floral perfume, and relish in her soft curves molding perfectly next to mine. Deidre rarely left the house and didn’t know Uncle Anthony, so the chances of her spilling the beans about our relationship were slim. But Holly and I were too scared to risk openly displaying our affection.
If we only had my job to worry about, I’d possibly reconsider keeping my hands in my lap. But I wouldn’t risk Holly’s position, not after what she’d told me about their finances. Holly was an amazing chef and would easily find another job, but I’d hate that she would have to because I hadn’t been able to keep myself in check around other people. As hard as it was to pretend Holly was just my friend, I would. The second the movie was over, though, all bets were off when it came to coming up with ways to get Holly alone.
Holly made a gagging noise as Buddy poured syrup over his noodles. “That’s just wrong on so many levels.”
I wholeheartedly agreed. “I saw a video of a mom who made noodles out of pancake batter using a squeeze bottle. It took her forever to cook that many pancake noodles, but her kids loved eating their ‘spaghetti’ while they watched this movie.”
If you checked my social media saved items, that video may or may not be there. When I’d watched it, a pang of longing to start that tradition with my own kids someday had me pushing the save button. It was way too soon to mention that to Holly, but the dream was unburied and growing like a budding flower on a spring day.
“Do you sing?” I asked Holly as we watched the two main characters singing on the show.
Holly pointed to the TV. “Not like that.”
Deidre added, “She’s pretty good. Don’t let her fool you.”
Well, looky there. Holly had talents outside the kitchen. “How do you feel about singing in front of people?”
She narrowed her eyes at me. She spoke slowly and hesitantly. “I was in my high school choir. That’s as advanced as my skills go.”
Excellent.Every year, Mom organized carolers to visit one of the local assisted living centers. The simple act of service always brought the Christmas spirit into my heart.
Holly could come with me and meet my parents.Ifthe thought of meeting them didn’t freak her out. We hadn’t known one another long, but Holly feltright. Like my life was a strand of Christmas lights with one section of bulbs burned out. I still functioned, but once Holly came in and fixed my broken pieces, I shined brighter than ever before.
“How would you feel about dusting off your rusty vocal cords and caroling with my family on December twenty-third?” I turned over my shoulder to Deidre. “You’re invited too, Dee. Even Trevor and Noah, if they want to come.”
It wasn’t like I could introduce Holly as my girlfriend. Might as well invite as many people as possible to throw my parents off any hints about why Holly was with me. I’d better extend the invitation to Jack and Meg as well.
“That’s very sweet of you to offer,” Deidre said. “I can’t answer that until the day of, as it will depend on how I’m feeling.”
I turned my attention to Holly.
Her shoulders bunched up to her ears. “When you say family, who are we talking about here?”
It made sense she’d be wary. “Mymom’sside of the family goes together.“ No Uncle Anthony to worry about.
Her shoulders relaxed. “Sure. Could be fun. What time do you go?”
“One. We go to an assisted living facility, and that’s right after lunch but before nap time.” And before I had to be at work.
“Count me in,” Holly said.
I smiled, pleased that Holly agreed. Getting to hear her sing also filled me with anticipation. Would Holly sing lullabies to our children at night when tucking them in?
My face heated.What the heck, Rhett? You’ve barely been on one date with the woman. Stop thinking of forever and take it slow.
“Can I get some water?” I croaked out.
