AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can get this one lifted.” Holly grinned, suddenly magnanimous and cheerful again, like she had two new friends to entertain. It was fucking cute. “I know the owners. If I promise them we won’t wreck the place we should be good to have a drink together.”
“Next time,” Maren answered. “I’m still a mess. I just want to get home so I can crawl into bed with a bottle of wine and my rage. I’m truly sorry, Holly.”
“It sounds like you have nothing to apologize for. None of us do. We’ll all be okay.”
They exchanged numbers and promises that they’d meet sometime next week to poke over the newly uncovered information and possibly plot revenge against Jared.
“I’m sorry you had to hear all that.” Holly wrapped her arms around my waist as we finally headed into Holloway’s. “Past Holly was kind of a hot mess. And future Holly might end up going to prison for murdering Jared.”
“No apologies. I love all the Hollys—past, present, and future. But hold off on the murder thing. I don’t think conjugal visits will be enough for us. Plus, he isn’t worth the effort of killing. Just ignore him and watch him fade away. Assholes like him require attention to thrive.”
“Good point. And I love you too.”
We entered Holloway’s—finally—to a boisterous round of applause and the whole place shouting, “Surprise!” and “Congratulations!”
Holly’s aunt and cousins owned Holloway’s. Her uncle had opened the place decades ago; keeping it up and running had become somewhat of a family affair after he passed away. It reminded me of an Irish pub in here: long wooden bar, black and white tiled floor, family photos lining the walls. It was homey, cheerful, and the food was excellent.
Tonight was clearly meant to celebrate Holly. The green and goldHolly’s Apothecarybanner from the festival had been hung up over the bar and a huge sheet cake sat at one end next to a bouquet of yellow roses. “You guys!” she cried... and promptly burst into tears.
“There was no avoiding it this time,” Levi announced from his spot at the bar next to Jude. “Surprise,” he deadpanned.
“We’re happy for you, Holls,” Jude added.
She stepped into their hugs to answer. “It’s okay. I’m in a much better place right now, you guys. I love this. All my favorites. Flowers, cake, family... Are there presents too?”
“Yes,” Dahlia approached as Holly pulled away from Levi. “Your daddy and I got you this.” She handed Holly a package wrapped in green paper and tied with a gold bow.
“Even your present is on theme. I want to be just like you when I grow up,” Holly teased her.
“Open it,” Ben, her dad, urged.
Holly tore the paper off. It was a framed photograph of her and her grandmother from earlier today, arms around each other, beneath the Holly’s Apothecary banner. They stood, looking up at each other with huge smiles on their faces. It captured the essence of today perfectly. Bursting into tears, she threw herself into her mother’s arms.
“I’m sorry, darling,” Dahlia whispered. “I didn’t see how inappropriate Jared has been with you over the years. I did a lot of thinking about it today. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course I can. Marjorie is awesome, and it must have been hard for you to realize that your best friend’s son is a useless little shit.”
Dahlia squeezed her tight. “I’ve been wrong for a lot of years, my sweetheart. I can’t help but feel it put a wedge between us, that maybe it’s part of what drove you away from Sweetbriar.”
Holly shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. I had a severe case of wanderlust, remember? Who bought me my first camera? Who took me shopping for outdoor gear and forced me to take self-defense and outdoor safety classes before I left? That was all you and dad, and it ultimately saved my life. You’ve always supported my dreams when it mattered.”
“Thank you for saying that. I love you, darling. Now it’s time to enjoy your celebration.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
Her dad hugged her tight. “I’m proud of you, pumpkin.”
We spotted Rosemary holding court at the rear of the bar where several tables had been pushed together for the family to sit, so we made our way over there. The place was packed to the gills with Holly’s extended family, as well as the bar’s customers. Music blared and people danced; it was a madhouse in here.
“Is it too crowded for you?” she stopped to ask me.
“No, it’s fine. Go.”
She kissed the top of Rosemary’s head then stopped to hug various family members as she led me toward a relatively quiet booth in the corner.
We slid in next to each other and I let out a sigh. Iwasokay; it wasn’t a lie. But crowds were not my favorite thing. I much preferred to find a spot like this when I was in a crowded place, one where I could see everything happening.
“Is this better?” She asked with a soft smile. She knew what I needed, and I loved it.
