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“Holden…”
“And the house is sold…” I murmur. It sold a few days ago to that couple who came to see it when I was banished from the house. Dean has the deposit, and now we’re just waiting on settlement. “You’ll have the money soon,” I add, meeting her stare. “You still want to buy a little place there? Near Zeke and Dean?”
“Is that what you think?” she asks, sitting taller.
I shrug. “What exactlyareyour plans?”
Jamie looks away, saying, “Well, I was planning on going to the night market with Mia and her family tonight.”
“Jamie, I’m not playing right now.”
After a sigh, she says, her tone laced with sadness, “Have I even so much as hinted that I want to leave?”
“Not that I know of.”
She keeps her eyes on mine. “Have I given you any reason to think that I don’t love it here or that I don’t loveyou?”
“No…”
“Here,” she says, reaching into her pocket to reveal the RV keys. She takes my hand and places them on my palm. “Hide them, if you must.”
“That’s not—”
“You gave me a key to my garden,” she cuts in. “So, I’m giving you those.” She scoots to the side, offering me the spot beside her.
With a huff, I sit down, keep my head low.
“Babe, you have to understand that I’ve lived this life, alone, for so long now, and during that time, the only person I had to worry about was myself. So I’m sorry that I didn’t consider your feelings,” she says, then leans into me when she adds, “or that I’m not amind reader.”
I turn, lift my eyes to hers, witnessing the heartache in her smile. “I should’ve said something,” I admit.
“You should’ve.” She nods. “And I can’t promise you that there won’t be a time when I might want to take off for a few days. I enjoy traveling.”
“I don’t want you to feel trapped here,” I’m quick to say.
“Holden, I’ve never felt freer than when I’m here,with you. And if and/or when I have that urge again, hopefully, you can join me.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes, youidiot.”
My smile is stupid. “Maybe we can do a quick trip next weekend. Can you find somewhere?”
Jamie’s grin matches mine. “I know the perfect place…”
38
Jamie
“I don’t think you realize how sexy you are right now,” I say, tugging at the bottom of Holden’s shirt.
“Huh?” He’s too busy focused on the market’s parking lot entrance, looking for Mia’s car.
“You’re so excited to see Benny; you’re practically shaking,” I laugh out.
He glowers down at me. “Are youteasingme?”
Before I can respond, he pushes me aside, shouting, “They’re here!” He jogs toward a truck that’sjustpulled into the lot, and I slowly follow behind, watching Holden bang on the rear back window until the car comes to a stop. He opens the door, and I can hear Mia yelling, “What the heck are you doing?” A moment later, Holden pulls Benny from the back seat and says something I can’t quite make out. He closes the door, stands the little boy in front of him, and watches the truck take off slowly. Then he yells out to me, “Just give us a minute!”
