Page 39 of Four Money (Ever and Always 1)

This was really happening. Because of Trent.

She owed him everything, and as soon as he pulled his head out of his ass and resurfaced, she was going to make him see that they were too good of a match to throw things away because of their hang-ups.

In the meantime, Lorenzo took her hand in his and refused to let go while Owen made all the arrangements. Even if Trent wasn’t there, he had ensured she was taken care of, and another piece of the puzzle fell into place for Holly.

This was what it was like to be in a relationship with more than one man.

She could see why her friends liked it so much, and not only for the spectacular sex. Someday, hopefully soon, she was going to find out what that aspect of living in a ménage was like.

Until then, she clung to Lorenzo, grateful to be sandwiched between him and Owen on the ride to hospital when her nerves kicked in and she started ruminating on each of the not-so-great things that could happen while chasing a better life, for herself, sure…but mostly for her mom.

The next few hours were going to change her life forever, but the past few had been doozies too.

16

Trent raced through the hospital doors, past the desk where he’d so recently received some of the worst news of his life, and all he could think about was Holly. Shit! He’d left her alone and look what had happened. He hadn’t been there when she needed him after she’d done nothing but stick by his side.

Good thing he wasn’t really her husband, because apparently he sucked at relationship shit.

He checked his phone and the text Owen had sent with Mrs. Hendricks’ room number before flying along the ugly florescent-lit hallways until he burst into her ward. Several doors down, he saw his roommate hovering outside an open door.

“Lorenzo,” he called, trying to be quiet through his heart was pounding so hard he wasn’t sure if he’d screamed to hear himself over it.

His friend turned and offered a wan smile before meeting him halfway. “Thank God you’re here. Holly is a mess. She needs you.”

Trent peered over Lorenzo’s head through the open door to where Owen kept watch on Holly and her mom like a guard dog. He held Holly’s hand as she clutched her mother’s. The woman seemed frailer wrapped in the pale blue hospital gown as she lay in the robo-bed.

“She seems fine. Thanks to you two.” He couldn’t believe he’d taken off on her like that. He would understand if she was pissed. If she sent him away instead of dealing with his bullshit when she needed to focus on her mother’s health.

Hell, it wouldn’t be the first time someone he loved turned him away in their darkest hour.

“Um, this isn’t the right place to hash things out but, just so there are no surprises, things kind of heated up with her right before we got the call.” Lorenzo cleared his throat, looking guilty as fuck. “She was bummed about you bailing on dinner and I tried to console her, and next thing I knew…”

Trent’s brows rose. “Really?”

“We made out with her, nothing more.” Lorenzo held his hands up.

“Owen too?” Trent’s mind raced, cataloging the possibilities. If Holly was open to more experimentation, or was starting to form a bond with his best friends, there could be a chance he wouldn’t have to give her up after all. What if their fling truly could become something real?

“Sorry, Trent. We should have talked about how to take the next step.” Lorenzo pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s just that she’s so damn hot, and funny, and she was looking so sad and unsure…”

“Hey, it’s not a problem.” Trent put his hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder and squeezed. “I told all three of you to do it if you felt like it. I meant that. So I guess she must think you’re not half bad either.”

“You think so?” Lorenzo’s eyes turned molten gold.

Just then Holly noticed him in the hall. “Trent!”

He turned in time to see her mother wiggling her fingers in a weak wave toward him, and then Holly was running, throwing herself into his arms. He hugged her tight. “Hey. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you got the call. How is your mom? How are you?”

She clung to him, trembling, before looking up with a sniffle. “She’s perfect. I’m a disaster.”

Trent ran his hand down her hair, loving the silky smoothness against his palm. It felt so nice he did it a few more times, until she went pliant against him. “Well, let’s go sit with her until they take her to the OR, okay?”

“You don’t mind, really?”

“Of course, not.” He could finally breathe again when she leaned up against him, like she trusted him, and like whatever between them was about more than convenience or cash.

He wanted to believe it could be possible.

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