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Eli shrugged. "I just want to help."
"Your place is actually the best option," Penn said, reaching for a donut. "You live in a penthouse, so Miss can't escape to anywhere but a hallway with no one else around. You don't have any pets, and since she's going to be working on the feature, it just seems a logical choice."
"True," West agreed. "But will she go for it? Are you guys cool now?"
"Yeah, we're good," Eli replied.
"I wonder how long it will be until she gets some insurance money,” Penn mused. “It’s a shame about her clothes. Some of her outfits and shoes cost big bucks."
Eli frowned. "Holly wears some wild stuff, but I didn't know any of it was expensive."
"Her everyday clothes aren't, but over the years she invested in some nice designer dresses, and she had at least five pairs of pricey high heels. That's got to hurt."
He dragged a hand through his hair. "This really sucks."
West slapped his hands down on his thighs and stood. "We can talk more about all of this tomorrow. For now, we should sleep. Eli, do you want to crash here?"
"Yeah, I'll take the couch."
Penn rolled her eyes. "Eli, we have three guest bedrooms."
"Nah, I'm good out here."
"Suit yourself," West told him, pulling Penn to her feet. "See you in the morning."
After the two of them went to bed, Eli settled back on the couch and pulled out his phone. He made a list of the replacement items Holly would need. Even though he was certain she'd protest, he was taking her shopping tomorrow. Now was the time for people who cared about her to pitch in and help.
Besides, it couldn't hurt to earn a little goodwill.
* * *
"Afternoon," Eli said as Holly entered the kitchen.
She stopped short under the archway and stared at him. "Oh. Hi. I didn't think you’d still be here."
Her hair, still slightly damp from a shower, hung loose around her shoulders. Her outfit consisted of a Green Day t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts—obviously Penn's clothes.
Even though the two women were probably the same size, on Holly's curvier frame, the shorts and shirt looked snug. Not that he minded the view, but she seemed uncomfortable.
"Penn and West took Bo for a walk, but she made a ton of food first. There's a plate for you in the oven," he told her.
"Is there any coffee?"
"Yeah, I made a pot."
"Jesus. I can’t believe it’s after one. Have you been here the whole time?" she asked.
"No. West and I went to the rink for a few hours."
"Damn, I really slept. Other than getting up to feed the cat, I was out." She frowned at him. "Why did you come back?”
"Sit down. I'll pour you some coffee and get your plate."
He expected a quip about how she didn't need him to wait on her,but to his surprise, she didn't say anything.
Eli pulled a mug from the cupboard above the stove. "How do you take your java?"
"Two creams, one sugar, if we still have the stuff from last night."
