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“You did great.”
“Ohmigod, that was so exciting.” She whispered, “I have to pee.”
Holden was approaching. I suppressed a shiver—becausedamnhe was fine—and smiled at him over her head. “Can Avery use your bathroom?”
“Of course. Run on in.”
She hesitated and glanced at me. She was scared to go into someone else’s house alone. “It’s fine.” I wondered if I should go with her or if that would be intrusive for Holden.
“It’s a big house, but you’ll find the bathroom easy enough. You can peek in every room if you want.” He lifted his hands in a mock surrender. “My place is usually the hangout for my family. I promise it’s clean. But don’t let Tabby in. She’ll hang out by the back door and convince you she’s a house cat.”
Avery suppressed a squeal. “Can I pet the cat?”
“Yes, she’s overly friendly. It’s all part of her long game to get access to the house.” Avery sprinted off. Holden gave me the lazy smile that had gotten me in the back of his pickup. Good thing I was here with Avery. “You might want to check the back of your car before you go. Avery might sneak a cat or two away.”
“The way she smothered Sally, I wasn’t sure she’d be distracted enough by the horse. Thank you.”
He shrugged. “No problem.”
“No, it’s a big deal for her. And it helped me realize that she hasn’t been getting to be much of a kid lately.”
“Why don’t you come again next weekend?” His tone was casual, but sincere.
I wanted to jump on the offer, but this place didn’t run itself. I wasn’t sure what farmers and ranchers did all day, but Holden’s and Stetson’s pickups looked used. They were nice, but they weren’t for show. “I can’t keep taking your time, and I can’t pay for riding lessons.”
“Good thing I’m not charging. Seriously, it’s okay.” He hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Listen, I’m not going to lie, I’m interested in you. I know you’re not looking for anything and neither am I, but the football and the horse riding—that’s not about us. She wants to ride next weekend, she can ride next weekend.”
Was that a fear I was harboring? That he was using my kids to get to me?
No. The consideration had run through my mind, but he had a reputation of avoiding children. I’d seen hints of his discomfort around my kids. Yet, this gorgeous, generous, successful man told me he was interested in me. He could have anyone he wanted.
He wasn’t exactly pursuing me, but he wasn’t not pursuing me either. And either way, I was relieved. But I couldn’t let go of what he’d said.
“Why?” I asked. “Why are you interested in me?”
He drew closer and pitched his voice low. “I still remember how you called my name when you came.”
I drew in a sharp breath as a shiver traced down my spine. I remembered too. Everything. How he felt. How strong he was. How it’d been so damn good for such a cramped, quick interaction.
“I want more of that, and I want it from you.”
His screen door slammed and I jumped away. Avery was running around to the back of his house, probably to find the cat.
“I want…” I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I didn’t want to believe him, but I was tired of avoiding my reaction to him. “I want more of that too.” I chanced a peek at him, only to see him grinning.
“So we do more and don’t worry about the rest?”
I chewed my lower lip. “It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just not that easy for me.”
“Then we won’t.” He was supportive, but dejected. And the flash of panic in my stomach had me reaching for his hand.
“I’ve never done this, Holden.” I released him in case Avery ditched the cat and found me holding hands with a guy. “I wasn’t lying that night. I don’t have experience with casual. I had a couple of high school boyfriends and only one was serious. Then I met Henry. You were the first since the divorce and…” Ugh. This was awkward. “How do people decide to just…you know?”
He thought for a moment. “Stetson and I usually meet for a drink on the weekends. Want to meet us Friday? No pressure to do anything, just get out first without expectations. You know Stetson, so there’ll be another friendly face.”
That was how he normally did casual. Just like when we met. He went out. Struck up conversation. Maybe had some sex. It worked for him.
Wouldn’t people talk?
Did I care? How would it affect me otherwise? There were worse things than being linked to an attractive man who seemed well liked in the community. Besides, my last attempt at getting out for adult time had been cut short. This was just visiting. I didn’t get much of a chance to be social.
I could see whether Mom would watch the kids Friday night. “Okay, it’s a date.” Mortification swamped me. “I mean, it’s not— I know we’re not—”
“It’s okay.” Holden laughed, unfazed. “Call me if Friday doesn’t work out. You can meet us there.” His grin widened, and it wasn’t his typical slow grin. This one had dimples. As if he wasn’t perfect before. “I’ll even park under a streetlight.”
My cheeks flamed hotter than the sun. Avery saved me by appearing around the house with a cat in her arms and a triumphant grin.
A boldness I hadn’t experienced since the night Holden flirted with me erupted. “I might park in a dark corner,” I said as I started for her.
Holden made a sound between a cough and a choke, and I sauntered away, grinning.
