Chapter 23
Piper
My eyes blink open slowly. I feel the heavy weight of Holt at my back and wonder how we got into this position again.
I see light filtering through the blinds of my window and realize that it must be morning.
I try to lay as still as possible, not sure what I want to do here.
I know the second I start moving, Holt will wake up.
Before I can make a decision, I feel Holt pull me tighter to him.
“Morning,” he rumbles softly to me. Well, guess I can’t stealthily get away now. I opt for treating this as no big deal.
“Morning,” I respond quietly. I move to get up, but Holt doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Obviously his bladder isn’t full of red wine like mine is.
“Bathroom,” I state simply, my cheeks already turning red. He immediately lets me up and I speed walk my way there and close the door.
After I do my business, I wash my hands and open the door. Holt is standing there shirtless, in his black boxers, again. This guy mustn’t like clothes.
“All yours,” I state as I try to move out of the doorway to give him room to get by. Holt grabs my arm gently.
“I’m only going to let you run for so long,” he says quietly. He is deadly serious, and his tone shouldn’t make my stomach clench. If this was anyone else, it would be creepy stalker territory.
Before I can respond to his statement, he winks and slides into the bathroom. I gulp, and make my way to the coffee maker. I need caffeine. While the coffee is going, I take a minute to find my phone. I left it on the coffee table by the couch.
When I open it, I see I have messages from Meg. I roll my eyes when I see the content. She is cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
Meg: Piper and Holt sitting in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G.
Meg: Well, how is it going?
Meg: Piper, come on don’t leave a girl hanging….
Meg: When you come up for air, CALL ME! I want to compare notes on the Campbell brothers.
I roll my eyes at her. What the hell does she think this is. Not everyone’s life will end up like hers. I text her back.
Piper: There is nothing to compare. Nothing has happened.
Meg: What? Thats okay, it will soon.
Piper: You are crazy, nothing is going on.
Meg: I was in your shoes very recently. I know things.
Piper: You KNOW things?
I roll my eyes again at this conversation. I won’t be telling her that we shared a bed last night. It will just make her worse. And honestly, there isn’t anything to tell. Nothing has happened.
I’m so wrapped up in texting Meg that I don’t realize Holt is standing over my shoulder, until I hear him chuckle. I yelp and almost drop the phone.
“Bells! I’m buying you bells,” I exclaim. It is the only thing I can think of. The ninja thing is cool, until you are having a heart attack every 5 minutes.
“We need to work on your situational awareness,” he says. I can tell he isn’t really joking. He hands me the coffee that must have brewed while I was distracted.
“We will eat breakfast and then get a game plan for today,” Holt continues. A game plan? I guess he has a point.
I sit down at the table in the kitchen and watch as he gracefully maneuvers through my kitchen. It is almost like he knows where everything is. I am envious of how comfortable he is in any space he occupies.
I see he has thrown on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, it doesn’t detract from his appeal—at all. I roll my eyes at my train of thought.
“Do you know of any handymen that come out on a Sunday,” I ask Holt, thinking about my broken door. I really need to get that fixed. Holt shakes his head as he turns around with a plate full of scrambled eggs, a couple slices of bacon, and some toast.
“I put a call in to Dustin, he is coming out tomorrow. I already gave him the measurements that he needs, so it won’t take long,” Holt answers as he places the plate in front of me.
“Oh, I-I—thanks,” I stutter a response. A girl could get used to someone like Holt taking care of her. I feel the feminist in me shaking with rage at the thought. Holt smirks at me.
“No problem, Piper. Now eat,” he directs. I grab my fork and focus on my plate for a minute.