Page 68 of Huge Dynamite
“Well, don’t work too hard, Dr. Holly. And you remember I am always available to help you move boxes later.”
“Thank you, Roman.”
“I’ll have the delivery sent as soon as I make a fresh pot.”
Smiling, I hang up the phone and my mood is restored. There are good people in this neighborhood, and I am lucky to live here. Digging into my clutch, I still haven’t unpacked from last night and I look for some cash to tip Roman when—
“What?” I pull a black velvet box from my purse. “What the hell?” Opening it, I see Robert’s ring staring up at me. “That son of a bitch,” I mumble under my breath. He must have slipped it into my bag when he hugged me in the parking lot.That’swhy the sudden change of heart and uncharacteristic public display of affection. He set me up. Now I’ll have to call him to give it back. No. On second thought, I’ll give it to his best friend, my mother, and she can give it back to him. “Screw you, Robert.”
“All’s clear,” Seth utters as he approaches. “Holly? What the hell is that?”
“I—” Standing here with the damned ring in my hand, my mouth drops open. “It’s a ring.”
“I see that. It’s a giant ring. Is it yours?”
“It was given to me.” This entire situation is too awkward.
“Is it an engagement ring?”
“Yes.” I’m not going to lie to the man. “But I didn’t accept his proposal.”
“Whose proposal?” Seth’s eyes narrow.
Hunching my shoulders forward, I look up into Seth’s eyes. “Robert. But, Seth, he’s proposed before, too. Every time he asks, I say no. I don’t know why he asked last night. He was at dinner and announced he’s going to be my father’s new partner—”
“What?” He looks as surprised as I was.
“I left the ring on the table, but Robert followed me to my car. He must have slipped the ring into my bag when he hugged me goodbye.”
A vein bulges on Seth’s forehead. His jaw clenches, and he crosses his arms before his chest.
“Seth? You can’t be jealous over this. If I were interested in Robert, you have to know I wouldn’t have done what I just did with you. Umm…” Biting the corner of my lip, I smile. “On your bike.”
“But Robert is perfect. It makes sense that you’re together.”
“He’s far from perfect, Seth, and why does it make sense that we’d be together? Because we’re both doctors? I already told you I don’t want him or the life he’s offering. Why can’t you believe me?”
“Because I find it a little hard to believe that a woman like you—”
“Ugh!” I run my hands through my hair. “Here we go again. ‘A woman like me’? Really, Seth? Didn’t we just have this exact argument?”
“I just mean that you deserve better than what I have to offer.”
“Why do you get to decide that?”
“Fine.”
He moves closer to me and I soften slightly.
“You want to be with me?” he asks. “Then, let’s make it official. Move out of here and come live with me. That way I can keep you safe from the Dogs.”
“What the hell?” Storming away, I walk into the main room and then turn back to face him. “Haven’t you heard a damned thing that I’ve said? That is completely unreasonable and you know it. You know why I don’t want to be with Robert? Aside from the fact that I’m not attracted to him, I also hate that he thinks he can plan out my life for me, and here you are, doing the exact same thing!”
“Holly, please. All I’m trying to do is keep you safe. You need to understand. I wasn’t there for Colt when he was growing up, and I’m damned afraid of repeating my mistakes. I want to be here for you.”
“Then be here for me. But that doesn’t mean telling me what to do. Don’t you get that? For once in my life, I don’t want to plan something out, and I’m sure as hell not going to let you, or anyone else, plan it out for me. Can’t you understand that?”
“Yeah.” He steps back and drops his head.
