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“I need to talk to him.”
Holt didn’t move.
“Tomorrow,” I said, fisting his shirt in my hand. “Let’s all take a breath and regroup tomorrow.”
Andrew let out a frustrated sigh. “Okay. Just . . . tell him I love him.”
“I will.” I gripped the phone. “How’s your dad?”
“Not speaking. I—this is such a mess.”
“But you’ll get through it because you have each other.”
“Yeah. Don’t forget to tell him what I said.”
“I won’t.”
I ended the call and dropped his phone on the coffee table.
“Andrew said to tell you he loves you.”
Holt stopped breathing for a second before he scooped me into his arms. He carried me up to the loft bedroom and gently laid me on the bed.
“I’m going to wash my face. Help yourself to a T-shirt."
He disappeared into the bathroom, but didn’t shut the door. I spotted his bag on the floor and grabbed a T-shirt from inside. I breathed in deep, the scent of Holt enveloping me as I changed into it.
The toilet flushed. The faucet ran and stopped.
“I left a clean towel on the sink if you need it,” he said when he reappeared.
“Thanks.” I quickly washed up and flipped off the light.
I felt my way to the bed and crawled on top of the covers. Holt’s scent assaulted me again, minus the hint of motor oil. Longing filled me.
Holt stripped down to his boxer briefs and climbed under the covers. I snuggled against him. His arm went around me, and he tucked my head under his chin.
“This is the first time I’ve felt right in days.”
Me too.
“Holt.”
“Don’t say it, Easy. I know why you’re here. Because you’re good.” He twirled a strand of hair around his finger. “You’ll stay until you think I’m okay, even though you’re pissed as hell at me. Which is more than I deserve, considering.”
I drew circles on his chest. “Holt—”
He pressed his fingers against my lips. “Shh. It’s selfish, but I need this. I need you.”
I burrowed deeper into him.I need you too.
There wasn’t any future for us, especially after seeing him with that other woman, but this hug? I needed it more than anything else at that moment. And I fell asleep . . . peaceful.
I woketo an empty bed and a chill in my bones. I pulled the covers up over my mouth. The sound of pots clanged down below.
“Shit.” Something banged on the counter—Holt’s fist I guessed.
I wandered down the stairs to find Holt yanking on his hair as he stared in the cabinets.
