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I took her hand and placed it in my dad’s, as he and Chloe were right there by us, waiting for us. I looked my dad in the eye, smiled, and nodded. No words necessary. He got what I was saying. Thanks to Chloe, I finally felt it in my heart.
CHAPTERSIX
CHLOE
I’d had the opportunity to slow-dance with Holden Henry tonight, and I’d turned it down, insisting we get some air instead.
Nearly an hour later, I was still waffling between regret and relief.
Did I want to be held in his arms, rest my head on his shoulder, inhale his scent, feel his chest move with every breath? With every fiber of my being, yes, I did.
But part of me was also solidly confident that, if I’d succumbed to that temptation, it would’ve been detrimental to my emotional balance, not to mention our friendship. And my friendship with Holden was more important than any unrequited feelings I might have for him.
As we lined up by the door to toss oversized plum and silver and white glitter at the couple of the hour, Holden once again pulled me to his side, and my heart once again did a little dance. I was going to require a long, blunt self-talk about reality tonight once I was alone in my apartment.
Mr. Henry and his new wife made their way toward the door, their joy blatant and contagious. As they went, they stopped to hug well-wishers every few feet. Holden was the recipient of a hearty man-hug from his dad, and I suspected they were making peace in their way, even though they’d not quite been at odds.
Before I could consider it more, Faye Henry pulled me into a warm hug, chunks of glitter making her hair sparkle. I hugged her back, truly optimistic for her future with Holden’s dad.
“Thank you for coming, Chloe. It was wonderful to meet you,” she said.
“You too. It was a beautiful evening.”
When her mouth was close to my ear, she lowered her voice and said, “You’re good for this one, my dear.”
“Oh, we’re not—”
But she’d already moved on to Holden, unable to hear me. She paused for a second, seeming to make sure he was still fine with a hug. He pulled her into one himself, and there was a marked difference between that moment and the one as we’d been heading into the reception, just a few hours earlier, when he’d shaken her hand.
The newlyweds were out the door and on their way to their suite. Tomorrow they’d leave for their Hawaiian honeymoon, and as I understood it, Mr. Henry would be moving into Faye’s home in Nashville, which had been the North family home for a few decades.
It didn’t take long for the guests to start filtering out once the bride and groom left, as the room rental ended soon. Holden and I said good night to each of the North couples—Cole and Sierra, Mason and Eliza, Zane and Hayden, Drake and Mackenzie, and Gabe and Lexie—as well as a good number of the other guests. This was how Holden was, Mr. Social, and I was content to smile, nod, and follow his lead. Honestly, I was relieved he was more like himself now, compared to when we’d arrived.
A few minutes later, we’d made our way out the front of the hotel and retrieved Holden’s Mustang. The drive to my downtown apartment took less than fifteen minutes the way he drove, and we shared notes on all of the North guys and their wives on the way. While I wasn’t in the habit of collecting girlfriends, I’d genuinely liked every last one of Hayden’s sisters-in-law.
“Eliza promised to get us all tickets to Steele Hearts when they play nearby,” I told him.
“You’ll take me, right?” Holden said, grinning.
“If Presley’s out of town, you bet,” I teased. “Mackenzie’s luxury honeymoon business is so unique. Really intriguing.”
“Kind of right up your alley with the hospitality slant, huh? You should hook her up with some of the Marks properties.”
“I gave her my contact info. We’re planning to do lunch sometime.”
“Look at you, networking at a small family wedding. Why am I not surprised?”
I laughed, because he knew me well. I did work too much but it was because I loved my job.
“I think I depressed her when I told her I’m married to my career and have no plans to ever marry a man.” I didn’t tell him that she’d glanced between Holden and me, as if questioning our relationship. I’d clarified we were just friends, and she’d let it go, thankfully.
Nodding, he said, “I’d wager that you stand to gain more from that relationship than she does.”
“It sounds like she’s gotten plenty of business off the North family alone in the past couple of years.”
Holden pulled into the lot for my high-rise building, then parked in a visitor spot.
“You can just drop me off,” I said. “It’s late.”
