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“It goes both ways.”
He imagined it did, considering how fiercely loyal his sister was. “Oh, I almost forgot. The girls brought home a flyer about a Christmas program they’re participating in next Tuesday. Primarily choral, I think.”
“Oh yeah. Lyss mentioned something about that when I drove her to the airport. She rattled off so many things as they popped into her head that day, I had a difficult time keeping up.”
“I also thought if Lyss isn’t back this weekend, we could check out what we didn’t see or do at the festival on Saturday.” He waggled his brows. “Maybe even go ice skating.”
“Sounds good.” She tipped her head back to look up at him. “Now, although my heart overflows with love for all four of them, could we please talk about something other than your sister, brother-in-law, and our goddaughters?”
Surprised yet pleased by her request, Chace tried not to let it show.
At least not too much.
“Do you have a specific topic in mind?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Shifting to face him fully, Holly sat up straighter. “Us.”
Chace wasn’t expecting that response. Granted, he realized that at some point, they would need to talk about their relationship—the past, present, and hopefully future. He just assumed it would happen more indirectly.
Not that it mattered. For them to have any chance at a future, they first needed to work through their past. Revisiting the reasons for their breakup eight years ago would stir up a ton of shit that continued to pose a risk to their happily ever after, but Chace was willing to do whatever it took if there was even a glimmer of hope they might have a future together.
“Okay.” He nodded. “What aboutusdo you want to talk about?” he asked, bracing himself for her answer.
Holly pulled her legs onto the sofa cushion, crossing them yoga-style as she concentrated on picking at the cuticle around her thumb. “Earlier, when I was on the phone with Kit, I told her about your request to give us until the New Year.”
Chace didn’t know if that was good or bad. He guessed it depended on Kit’s reaction. Rather than automatically assuming the worst, he took heart that even if Kit insisted Holly kick his ass to the curb, Holly hadn’t. That and what happened under the mistletoe between them earlier gave him more reason to hope Holly might be willing to give them a second chance.
“Are you upset that I told her?” she asked.
Chace shook his head. “No. Of course not. Just a little concerned about how Kit took the news.”
A smile lifted the right corner of her mouth as she peeked up at him through her veil of thick lashes. “I was too.”
Knowing that made Chace feel even better. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Whatdidshe have to say?”
“A lot,” Holly replied, exhaling slowly. “In a nutshell though, she said we needed to talk.”
“Makes sense.” Because it did.
Pressing her lips together, Holly nodded. “I’m just not sure where to even begin.”
Chace got that because, in all honesty, he felt the same way. But if both of them wanted a different outcome from eight years ago, they had to start somewhere or risk ending up right back where they were before Sean’s accident brought Chace home to help care for the twins.
“I suppose the best place to begin is determining what we want and if we’re willing to do what it takes to make it happen.”
* * *
Chace was right.But what if they weren’t on the same page with what they wanted? There was only one way to find out.
Holly forced her gaze to meet his. “What is it that you want, Chace?”
“The same thing I’ve always wanted, Holly.” Taking her hand, Chace threaded his fingers with hers. “A future with you.”
Her breath hitched a little in relief. Okay. So far, so good.
At least, she hoped so.
“That’s what I want too.”
