Chapter 5
Chapter Five
CANDY
“You’ll stay,” Hollis says, but it sounds and feels like an order and not a question. “It will work out better that way. I can also help with anything that you need.” He softens his tone a bit.
Kindred is staring at Hollis, and I know the expression she’s giving him. It’s the one someone that is close to you gives when they want you to shut up or are delivering a silent message.
“I don’t want to intrude.” I try not to stare at Hollis, but it's hard.
The pictures online didn't do him justice.
He's even more handsome in person. He is also a whole lot bigger too.
The man is built; the suit he's wearing must have been custom-made for him to fit his broad shoulders. He appears hard all over. Oh gosh, don't go there in your head, Gwen. He is with someone, and that’s not why you’re here. Focus, I remind myself.
“You’re not.” Hollis steps forward. Both he and Kindred are tall and fit together. “Right?” Now he’s giving Kindred a pointed look.
“You’re right.” Kindred nods adamantly, seeming to have done a complete 180 on the topic. She’s been very sweet since I walked in the door. It has guilt pressing in all around me that I’m kinda-sorta eyeing up her man.
Why hadn’t I thought about the fact that he could be in a relationship?
I suppose I hadn’t because nothing I found online about him said anything about his dating life.
It has an ache forming in my chest like I’ve lost something, but that can’t be it.
Hollis was never mine, and he is very clearly someone else's. I’m sure it’s all these extra hormones that have me reacting to him in this way.
What did I think was going to happen? That I’d show up here and tell him I’m carrying his baby, and then he’d instantly fall in love with me and want to spend the rest of our lives together?
I might have fantasized about that for a few moments if I’m being completely honest. But that’s not the way the gingerbread cookie crumbles.
Life is not all fairies and sugar plums.
“I don’t know.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear but quickly drop my hand.
Max’s words flitter through my mind to not fidget.
Hollis and Kindred would fit into Max’s world.
I bet Kindred doesn’t fidget at all. She is very well put together and beautiful.
The complete opposite of how I look and feel right now.
“Honestly, with it being so close to Christmas, all the bed-and-breakfasts in town are likely booked out. I mean, I can check for you,” Kindred offers.
“There is no need. I have a spare room,” Hollis pushes.
“Okay,” I find myself agreeing. It’s already getting late, and I might be leaving in the morning. If I can figure out how to tell him I’m pregnant. I don’t think Kindred is going to be so nice to me after she finds out I’m carrying her fiancé’s baby. If Hollis were mine, that would break my heart.
“Have you had dinner?” Hollis asks. This is all happening so fast.
“How about we get her settled into a room first,” Kindred says.
“I can handle it,” Hollis tells her. I’m trying to figure out what the heck is going on between them. They’re having a conversation without words.
“Wait, you don’t live here?” I ask Kindred. I assumed she did.
“No, Hollis here normally enjoys his space, but lately he seems to be warming up.” There it is again, more words that I don’t fully follow.
“Are you sure I should stay here?” He might be extra pissed when he finds out I’m not a party planner. That I am staying under his roof under false pretenses.
“Yes, I really do think you should stay here.” She gives me a warm smile, dimples appearing in her cheeks. “That said, I should cut out. I need to get that contract wrapped up.”
“Did you find the papers?”
“Yep,” she chirps.
“I’ll leave you two to it.” Her eyes bounce between the two of us. “Welcome to New Hope, Gwen.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. To my surprise, she wraps me in a tight hug.
“If you need anything, you can call or text me,” Kindred says, sounding a tad protective over me. “You’ll give her my number.” Now it’s her giving orders to Hollis.
“I’ll do that.”
“Then I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Kindred gives me one last smile before she turns to leave. It doesn’t go unnoticed by me that she didn’t hug or kiss Hollis goodbye.
“How about I show you to your room and then I’ll get to work on making us dinner.”
“That sounds nice.” I could use a minute to myself so I can get my head on straight and think of a new plan.
“Allow me.” He takes my bag. “How long have you been a party planner?” Hollis asks as I follow beside him. If a party planner is coming, I’m going to be so busted. Hopefully they aren't showing up for a few more days.
“Can I be honest with you?”
“I’d prefer that.” He smirks. Dang, his smirk is all kinds of sexy. The scar on the side of his face, in a weird way, appears natural, like it has been a part of him his whole life. That it belongs there.
“This will be the first party I’m planning,” I admit, not wanting to lie more than I already have.
Though I never said I was this party planner, I know it’s still a lie with me going along with it.
I just don’t want to give him this news with anyone else around.
I know Kindred might be engaged to him, but this feels too personal.
It’s something he should hear on his own so he can process it, and then he can choose how to tell others in his life.
It’s not my place to put his business out into the world. For all I know, he may not want anything to do with me or the baby, and then I’ll just have to be on my merry way. Which is his right. He had no part in all this.
“It’s the first I’ve thrown here,” he says, not sounding bothered by my admission.
“How long have you lived here?” I ask the basic questions, not wanting him to think I googled him and basically know most of his details.
“I had a place of my own. A cabin a few miles out of town, but once I became mayor, there was pressure for me to move into this place. It had been empty before. I think they knew I would pay for the revamp and that I wouldn’t take the funds from the city’s budget.”
“Oh wow, you redid the place?” I run my hand up the smooth staircase railing as we head up the stairs. They curve in a half circle, leading up to a balcony that overlooks the entryway.
“It was more of a facelift. I tried to keep as much of the house's history as I could, but as you can see, it still needs some touches." The walls are pretty bare. With the crown molding, you don’t need much more, but you could add personal touches. I stop when we get to the top.
"This whole area will be a dream to decorate for a party," I tell him.
"Wrap garland and lights up the banister and put a Christmas tree there.
" I point down to one side of the entryway.
"When people enter, you can set up drinks or even a bar in that area, and the coat check can be located over there.”
"Are you sure this is your first party?"
"The place was made for entertaining. I don't think it will be difficult to get it there in all its Christmas glory."
“I look forward to seeing your vision come to life. If you don’t mind, I'd like to have some sort of involvement in the planning. Not trying to step on any toes or micromanage.”
He doesn’t look like the entertaining type if I’m being honest, but I’m sure it comes with the territory of being the mayor.
“You’re the boss, and I’m sure you’ll have valuable input since you know the townspeople.” He graces me with one of those sexy smiles of his that has butterflies forming in my stomach.
“We'll do it together.” My heart gives another flutter at the word together.
“Together.” I repeat it with a nod, wanting that more than anything.
But I know that won’t be the reality of it. At this point, I can only hope that I’m not destroying not only his life but Kindred’s too.