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“No, it’s closed, but I just texted Honey and she said to meet her at the store and we can change while she brings everything in from her table.” She throws her phone in her purse and slings it over her shoulder.
She holds her hand out for her backpack. “I got it. Lead the way.”
As we make our way down the street, she comments on the festival. Going down memory lane on some of the past years that we have been here towards the end.
It’s a town tradition and no matter your age, everyone stops by the festival in some capacity. Those that are younger come earlier in the evening, while the older crowd comes later to take part in different activities. There’s vendor tables all over, so some shop for gifts or treats, and other’s just walk around to see everything and everyone. Mostly couples and groups of women, whereas the men are usually at Road House or The Pub.
We make it to the bakery and take turns changing as Honey puts away her things. I tried to help her, but she declines since she has all the heavy items already put up and was just boxing cookies. I shoot a quick text to Jake and Damien to let them know other plans came up. I leave out the information that the other plans is their sister. While they may be okay with us together, I’m not sure if that’s where her mind is at completely.
Holly invites her to Road House, but she again declines since she had an early day today and will have one tomorrow. Holly looks upset, but it quickly vanishes when Honey tells her she’ll see her next week for Christmas Eve.
We head out and walk past a few more buildings before we hit one corner of the square. With my hand on Holly’s back, I lead her to cross the street towards the station. “Let’s drop these bags off in my truck and then get something to eat.”
“Sounds good,” she answers, and we make our way there in comfortable silence.
Opening the passenger door of the truck, I stow our bags on the seat.
“Here, take this too,” Holly’s voice calls out, muffled by her head stuck in her sweatshirt. She wiggles her body as her arms try to remove the bulky material. Her t-shirt rises with her attempts, showing off her creamy skin.
“Let me help.” I place a hand on her hip, my thumb and forefinger grazing her soft skin. Just one simple touch and I have to bite down on my lip to hold myself in check as I use my other hand and try to free her.
We’re a tangle of arms and fabric as I pull her sweatshirt off while she tries to keep her t-shirt attached to her body. Once free, she stumbles closer as she gets her bearings and her scent pulls me in.
I need to back away, but she holds me captive when she looks up at me. The streetlight behind me illuminates her face and I watch different emotions pass.
Surprise. Desire. Confusion. Sadness.
She takes a step back, grabbing the sweatshirt from my hands and throwing it in the truck. She watches it land on the seat and turns back to me. “Thanks for the help. Let’s go get a burger.” She bends down to grab her purse and turns to face the street, dismissing me as she waits.
5
Holly
Dammit, I should have leaned in. No, it’s not what you think. Yes, there was something there. I should have leaned in, pressed my lips to his. No, he wasn’t thinking like that; he was just helping a friend.
Shaking my head slightly, I struggle with my inner monologue as we make our way across the street to Road House. I’m in the friend zone, and I need to make peace with it.
It doesn’t matter that his touched burned me; it doesn’t matter that I want more. I’m his best friend’s little sister and I need to stay in my box. But you want to break out of that box.
“Doesn’t matter,” I mumble.
“What was that?” James asks as he stays in step next to me.
“Nothing, just deciding which burger I want.” God, what a lame excuse, but it’s better than telling him I’m talking to myself about him.
“Try again, Darlin’. You never waiver from the Heart Attack.” I stop on the sidewalk and stare at him.
Well, hell, he just called me out. He’s right, I never change my order at Road House. The Heart Attack is my favorite burger. The burger is piled high with cheese, bacon, a fried egg, avocado slices, and a mustard-mayo sauce concoction that pulls everything together. That he remembers that makes my heart beat a little faster. “Who says I can’t change it up?”
“No one, but you never do. You gonna tell me what you were really thinking?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry.” I counter, taking the last few steps to the entrance. With the door open, I turn back to James. “You coming?”
He shakes his head with his signature smirk and walks my way. Taking the door from my grip, he leans down and grumbles in my ear. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you didn’t answer my question.” His breath coast across my ear and I try to hold the shiver back, but he sees it. “I’ll get the answer, Holly.” He stands back to full height and looks down at me. “Let’s eat.”
I nod and make my way to the stand at the front of the restaurant. The hostess completely ignores me, her eyes target on James as she gives him a shy smile. He’s quick to give her our information, and she leads us to a small booth in the back corner. James waits for me to take a seat across from the wall and he slides into the side with his back to the wall.
The hostess leaves, and our waiter appears within seconds. Malcom is a local, someone I babysat years ago, so he doesn’t give us the special speech or small talk. “James, Holly, y’all know what you want?”
