Page 29 of The Hang Up
“I want to,” he says, already getting up and tugging on his jeans. “Besides, I’m not done kissing you yet.”
God help me.
We’re quiet as we get dressed, stealing small kisses between brushing teeth and grabbing keys. He makes me coffee in a to-go mug like he’s been doing it forever, and when we climb into his truck, he slips his hand into mine across the center console.
It feels easy. Familiar. Dangerous in a way that makes my heart ache and race all at once.
We pull up outside Clay & Cupcakes as the sun crests over the lake. The town is still quiet, just the way I like it.
Holden shifts in his seat and looks at me. “Are you okay?”
I nod, gripping the coffee cup tighter. “Yeah. I think I am.”
He leans in and kisses me, slow and sweet. My heart stutters. I’m pretty sure he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
“I’ll see you later?” he asks.
“Definitely.”
I climb out of the truck, still dazed from his kiss, and watch as he pulls away, my fingers tingling where they touched his.
I’m not even inside when I hear Arlowe’s voice float through the window.
“Okay, who was the hottie in the truck?”
I groan and push open the door, the bell jingling overhead.
Auden’s already behind the counter, steaming milk.
Arlowe is perched on a stool, sipping her latte and looking far too pleased with herself. “You got dropped off like a teenager. Was that Holden?”
“Yes.” I try not to blush and fail miserably.
“He kissed her like a sinner.” Arlowe grins.
I shrug out of my coat and toss it on the hook, trying to play it cool. “It was just a ride.”
“Oh, honey.” Arlowe smirks. “That was not just a ride.”
I groan and hide my face in my hands. “Please stop talking.”
Auden smiles, and her voice softens as she asks, “Are you okay?”
I drop my hands and meet her eyes. “Yeah. I am.”
She nods like she’s been waiting to hear me say that for a long time.
We start our morning prep routine, preheating ovens, restocking the display case, and mixing batter. As we work, Arlowe and Auden throw questions my way.
“So, are you two back together now?” Arlowe asks, licking frosting off her thumb.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “Maybe. We’re figuring it out.”
Auden raises an eyebrow. “Do you want to be back together?”
I think about the way Holden looked at me in bed this morning. The way he kissed me like I was everything. The way he listened last night without trying to fix everything.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I do.”
