Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
CANDY
There is only so long that I can hide in the bedroom. At least I slept well. I was sure I’d toss and turn, but the second I lay down and closed my eyes, I was out. For being in a strange place, I feel oddly comfortable here.
“What are we going to do, little one?” I rub my hand across my stomach. “I’ll have to come clean at some point.”
There isn’t much of an option. I’m not sure how I’m going to do it. Hollis has been so kind to me, and Kindred too. I should probably reveal the truth sooner rather than later. I know I’m being selfish, wanting to stay here as long as possible.
Max is likely super pissed at this point.
The more distance I put between him and me, the more I’m seeing things clearly.
I was hungry for friends and connection when I entered college.
I hadn’t known anyone when I started, and I found it harder to make friends than I had expected.
I’d spent most of my life keeping to myself and not making waves.
I was and still am shy for the most part.
My stomach growls, and I know I need to go downstairs. Am I going to plan a party or word vomit all over Hollis? I would rather have morning sickness vomit, but I don’t get to pick.
I check myself over in the mirror. Thick leggings and a knitted red sweater. I hadn’t packed much, but I have enough for a few days. Hopefully by then I’ll have more plans laid out.
I brush my hair out and put a low braid in it before I put on my lip gloss and mascara.
Knowing this is as good as it’s getting, I make myself leave my room.
My attention goes straight to the double doors to Hollis’s room.
They’re both standing wide open. I’m sure he’s been up for a while. I can’t believe I slept till ten.
When my feet hit the bottom step, I freeze at the sound of raised voices.
"This isn't working, and you know it." Oh crappers. That's Kindred. "We aren't in love, and to top it off, you're not in it."
Are they breaking up? I should turn around and go back up to my room, but I can't move.
"You're right. I'm not in love with you, and I don't see you that way."
"It's making things awkward for our working life. I knew this was a terrible idea." Kindred huffs, but she doesn't sound as mad.
I find myself creeping toward Hollis's office. He gave me a small tour of the home before leaving me at my door.
"Then, it's over," Hollis says. It sounds mutual.
"I knew that the moment Gwen showed up. You have never looked at anyone the way you did her yesterday."
Oh. My. God.
I’m a homewrecker. An unintentional one, I might add, but still one. I’m definitely getting a lump of coal or better yet, a sack of it for Christmas.
"She's special. Precious." That's the second or maybe third time he's called me precious. I don't know why my insides melt when he does. I suppose because I have never felt as though I was either of those things to anyone before. It brings me so much joy that I can be seen in such a light.
"She's a sweet girl." Kindred’s words soothe me. She's not pissed and doesn’t sound hurt. It’s strange because she almost seems happy for Hollis, which to me is crazy. It tells me they were never really in love.
That doesn’t stop my eyes from stinging with tears. I’m a mess inside that I might have played a role in this, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also over the freaking Christmas tree that Hollis might feel something for me.
I step closer to the office. The doors are open.
I see them both standing in front of his desk.
Hollis must have seen me out of the corner of his eye because his head turns my way.
A smile pulls across his lips. I can’t help but return it.
It quickly turns into a mouth drop as I watch Kindred pick up a glass of water from off his desk and then throw it in his face.
“Kindred.” He cocks his head to the side, staring at her.
“I don’t know. Felt like I should do that if we’re breaking up.” Kindred suppresses a laugh. “I may have also really wanted to throw a glass of water in someone’s face to see how it would feel. I may never get the opportunity again, so I took it.” She shrugs.
“I knew it was weird you were carrying around a glass of tap water.” Hollis walks over to the sofa, grabbing a throw blanket to wipe his face.
"Now, that's settled." Kindred claps her hands together. "You need to check over the Dever request. They have a new offer."
"I'll get on that." Hollis's tone is flat. Watching the two of them, they appear more like brother and sister than a couple. But then what do I know? I've never had a sibling or a boyfriend.
“I’m headed to the office, then.” Kindred makes her way toward me. “So you’re sticking around, I hear.”
“Yes, I’m so—” Kindred cuts me off before I can apologize.
“We should go to the bakery later. The place is to die for. I can show you around New Hope.”
“Oh,” This was not how I thought any of this would go. “Okay.”
“Did Hollis give you my number yesterday?”
“No, it slipped my mind.”
“I’ll make sure it gets into her phone,” Hollis says. “And I can show her around town.”
“Why do you get to do it? I’m from here.”
“I’m the mayor.”
“Watch it, or you won’t be come next election.
” Hollis rolls his eyes at her. “See, all bark and no bite. Don’t be scared to push his buttons.
” With those parting words of advice, Kindred is heading out the door, her heels clicking on the wood flooring.
How does she run around in heels all day in the snow?
“I’m sorry about your breakup.”
Hollis waves it off. “The relationship never should have started. Neither of our hearts were in it.”
“But you were engaged.”
“Not really. No ring.” This is strange, but again, what do I know about dating? “Let me get a new shirt, and I’ll make us breakfast.” Hollis steps closer. “I was getting worried.” He picks up the end of my braid, stroking it. “Think the baby will have your hair color?”
“Maybe.” The baby could have his.
“All right, I’ll be right back.” Hollis surprises me when he kisses the top of my head before heading up the stairs.
“What in holy candy canes is going on?” I mutter to myself. It’s really hard to come up with a plan when everything can change on a dime around here.
What’s most confusing is Kindred. She’s so freaking nice and sweet to me. I guess that would make sense if neither one was into the relationship. They both must be really over it. There is no way I could be that chill about it.
Hollis comes jogging down the stairs. His buttoned-up shirt is replaced with a dark green sweater. He’s still in slacks, but this is a much more relaxed look.
“I should have asked last night if you have any allergies.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Are you sure everything is okay?” When Hollis doesn’t respond quickly, I shift on my feet. I know something is off.
“No.” He sighs. This is it. I’m going to get a crazy bomb dropped on me.
Hollis has been too good to be true. “Kindred and I were never together.” My brows rise.
I don’t get it, but he keeps going. “My mother is always trying to set me up, so I was sure this party planner would be one of her ways to do that, so Kindred agreed to fake date me so that the planner didn’t get any ideas. ”
I feel both a huge sense of relief at his confession but also a wave of guilt because he now knows that I kinda-sorta scooted around the truth about being the party planner. I didn’t outwardly lie, but I did play along.
I glance down at my feet. “You know.” He keeps saying "the party planner" and not referring to me.
“Do you want me to know?” His fingers come to my chin. He gently makes me raise my head to look into his eyes.
“I don’t know,” I whisper. His expression turns soft.
“We can play this however you want. I’m only worried about you being safe and not upsetting you or the baby.” His hand comes to my stomach. I love it when he does that. With Max, I would get uncomfortable, but he only asked a few times, thankfully.
“I’m not the party planner.” I come clean. I’m finding I don’t want him to think of me as anyone else. I want him to know me.
“That’s fine.” He shrugs it off so easily. “Is your name really Gwen? I would like to know that much.”
“Kinda. It’s Candy Gwendolyn Snow.”
“Now, that name truly does fit you. Snow being your last with your cool blue eyes and whitish blond hair.”
“Yeah, my birth mom must have thought the same because she just gave me the last name Snow. No one actually had it.”
“Seriously?” I can tell he’s fighting a chuckle. It is kind of funny when you think about it.
“Now the Candy part she might have stolen from one of the girls at the club she worked at.”
“Like a strip club?” I nod, my eyes searching his face. How will he see me if he knows about my past? The only reason I have some nice things is because of Max.
“It’s a stripper name,” I tell him.
“I don’t think strippers get to hold the rights to a name. I think it fits you too. You’re sweet. Sweet as candy.” Those stupid tears sting at my eyes.
“Max wanted me to go by Gwen. He was the one that kind of said Candy was a stripper name.”
“Max is a fucking asshole.”
“I’m starting to see that.”
“Oh, I’m going to show you, Candy. Your standards for people need to be lifted. I’m going to make sure that happens.” He drops his finger from under my chin. “I’m going to ruin you.” He smirks. “In the best of ways.”
I think he already has.