Chapter Five
Hollis
He was the last person I expected to see when I walked into the local pub. Yet, there he was, beer in hand, wearing a sexy grin on his stupid, handsome face because, as it turns out, Officer McGrumpy Pants actually has friends, and one of them is Ellie.
I swear, karma has it out for me even though I haven’t done a single thing to deserve it. It’s the only explanation as to why I am once again being subjected to this man’s miserable presence.
The only thing that gives me a small amount of pleasure is knowing he is just as unhappy about it as I am.
His easygoing demeanor vanished when he looked up and saw who Ellie had with her. Like yesterday, shock had flashed across his face before that hardened armor fell into place.
For a moment, I considered hightailing it out the door, but I didn’t want to do that to Ellie after she went out of her way to bring me here. Besides, he’s the one with the problem, not me, and I’ll be damned if I was going to let him run me out of here with that salty attitude of his.
That’s why I straightened my shoulders, pasted on my best smile, and followed Ellie over to the table where she began introductions, starting with her two girlfriends, Penny and Harlow. Next was her best friend, Gunnar, who I found out owns the mechanic shop down the street from us. Then his two friends, Linc and Dawson, before it ended on Officer Grump, aka Mike Cross.
I wasn’t sure if I should mention we had already met so I left the ball in his court. He didn’t mention it. Actually, he didn’t say anything at all. Instead, he rounded up the guys for a game of pool and they’ve been over there ever since, which is fine by me. It’s given me the chance to get to know Penny and Harlow without his gloomy presence looming over me.
I’ve learned that Harlow is a wedding planner, and Penny is a healthcare worker at the seniors’ home in town. Harlow seems to be the more talkative of the two, but both are as nice as Ellie. They are definitely my kind of people and the type of friends I would have back home.
“So, what do you think of Passion Falls so far, Hollis?” Penny asks, shifting the conversation onto me. “I bet it’s a lot different than what you’re used to back in California.”
“It is.” I nod. “That’s kinda what I love about it.”
“Even with the weather like this?” Harlow questions doubtfully, arching a perfectly sculpted brow.
“Even with the weather like this,” I confirm with a smile. “I also love how quaint it is here. I’m from a big city where it’s always noisy and crowded. This has been a nice change of pace. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming.”
Well, almost everyone…
“That’s because you can’t hear us yelling at you from inside our vehicles,” Harlow retorts, amusement lacing her voice. “Welcome to Alberta, where road rage lives strong and free.”
“Stop.” Ellie laughs, playfully elbowing her friend. “Don’t listen to her, Hollis. We’re not that bad.”
I smile at their banter. “I’m not worried. Trust me, California has its fair share of road rage too.”
I’m more worried about driving on crappy roads and running into a certain grumpy officer every time I turn around.
The thought sends my attention across the dimly lit bar to where Officer Grump leans against the wall, a wooden pool cue resting between his legs as he patiently waits for his turn.
I really hate to admit it, but the man looks even better out of uniform. The well-worn blue jeans he wears fit exactly as they should—not too tight, not too baggy—they hang just right off his hips, while a long-sleeved gray Henley accentuates his lean, muscular frame. Add in his strong-cut jaw, olive complexion, hazel eyes, and thick dark hair, and it makes for a deadly combination. So lethal, it’s almost easy to forget what an asshole he is.
Almost…
As if feeling the weight of my stare, his eyes meet mine in a connection so powerful it steals my breath. There’s no looking away from it, it holds me captive, piercing through every layer of my skin.
His demeanor quickly shifts, expression transforming into that mean scowl. It never wavers as he lifts the beer bottle to his lips, taking a long swig.
He’s trying to make me uncomfortable, make me squirm in my seat, but buddy boy isn’t going to get it.
I meet his challenge head-on and reach for my own drink, a Cesar that I found out is the Canadian equivalent of a Bloody Mary. Taking a leisurely sip, I savor the taste, all the while matching that hard glare of his. Our gazes remain locked in a battle, a collision of two forces, each one fighting for dominance.
Instead of it pissing him off like it should, it does the opposite.
Amusement flickers across his handsome face, his lips curving into one hell of a sexy smirk. One that makes my pulse race and knees weak.
The magical bastard…
“Yoo-hoo. Earth to Hollis.” Ellie’s voice jolts me out of the staring contest.
I bring my attention back to the table and find all three women looking at me expectantly. A rush of embarrassment heats my cheeks when I realize they must have been talking to me this entire time. “I’m sorry, what was that?”
There’s a moment of awkward silence before Ellie takes pity on me. “Penny asked what you do for work back home,” she repeats.
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “Well, actually, I—”
“Forget about that for a minute,” Harlow interjects, slicing a hand through the air. “I think there’s a more important question we need to be asking our new friend.”
A surge of panic washes over me at the knowledge reflecting in her eyes.
Uh oh.
“Like what?” I ask, managing to keep my voice steady, despite the sudden chokehold on my throat.
“Like what’s going on between you and our longtime friend, Officer Cross?”
Shit.
I feign ignorance, deciding it’s probably my best course of action. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She snorts at the lie, seeing right through me. “Please, the two of you have been eye-fucking each other so hard, I bet you end up pregnant.”
The remark is so preposterous that I choke out a laugh.
“Harlow,” Ellie scolds under her breath.
“What?” she counters innocently. “It’s obvious something is going on between them. I’m just asking what we’ve all been dying to know since that awkward introduction.”
I was hoping that went unnoticed, I guess not.
“You’re right, there is something going on,” I admit, realizing there’s no point in denying it. “But it’s not at all what you’re thinking.”
I proceed to tell them everything, holding nothing back. I recount the embarrassing incident of my slide and glide straight into his police cruiser, followed by our heated exchange over it; of the hope I had of never running into him again, only to have it shattered when his sweet nine-year-old sister came into the store, asking to use the phone. I leave out the part about the babysitting offer but make it clear that it only fueled more hostility between us. By the time I finish, they are staring at me, looking a little shell-shocked.
“Wow,” Penny manages through her surprise. “That’s some first encounter.”
“You’re telling me,” I grumble, feeling the weight of that massive understatement. “And I can’t seem to escape him. First, he turns out to be Poppy’s brother, and now I run into him here. What are the freaking chances?”
“Welcome to small-town life.” Harlow smirks, raising her drink. “Where your neighbor can either be your best friend or your mortal enemy.”
“Or your ex,” Penny mutters.
Harlow nods. “That too.”
Before I have a chance to ask about that comment, Ellie cuts in. “I’m really sorry, Hollis,” she says, her voice soft and regretful. “I wanted you to have a good time tonight. I feel awful knowing how uncomfortable you must be feeling.”
“Oh gosh. Don’t be.” I dismiss her apology with a wave of my hand. “I’m fine. He’s the one with the problem, not me. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you guys sooner. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. The last thing I want is to cause any awkwardness among your group of friends.”
Harlow snorts at the comment. “You don’t need to worry about that. Penny and I have that covered all on our own.”
My curiosity piques at the statement. “What do you mean?”
She gestures across the bar to where the guys are playing pool. “See the one wearing the fire department T-shirt?”
I nod. “Linc, right?”
“Yep,” she confirms. “We’ve been enemies since childhood. I can’t stand him.”
My brows shoot up in surprise.
“And that guy over there?” She points at Dawson next. “That’s Penny’s ex from high school. He recently moved back after playing college ball in the U.S. If there was an award for the most tension between two people, they’d win it in a landslide.”
I’m completely baffled by the revelations. “If that’s the case, why do you all hang out together?”
Both women turn their attention to Ellie.
She winces sheepishly, raising a hand in acknowledgment.
“Gunnar and Ellie aren’t just best friends, they’re inseparable,” Harlow continues. “Which means if we want to hang out with Ellie, and those goons want to be with Gunnar.” She gestures towards the pool tables again. “We have no choice but to tolerate each other’s company from time to time.”
“And it’s very much appreciated,” Ellie says, expressing her gratitude by wrapping her arms around Harlow’s neck. “Besides, it’s not that bad. We all have fun together. Right?”
Penny and Harlow’s noncommittal grunts prompt a laugh from both Ellie and me.
“So, you see, you have nothing to feel bad about,” Harlow says, offering reassurance. “Your little encounter with Mike is small potatoes compared to the rest of us.”
I’m not sure I would call it small potatoes, but I’m glad to know our tension doesn’t impact the group.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised to hear how Mike treated you,” Penny says, choosing her words carefully. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s never very cheerful, but he’s usually patient and he always takes his job seriously. Considering how awful the weather was yesterday, I’m sure there were a lot of accidents. I don’t know why he would give you such a hard time about it.”
“Probably because none of the other accidents involved his parked vehicle,” I mutter, the sting of that embarrassing moment still fresh.
The three of them chuckle, clearly finding it as amusing as Poppy did when she found out.
If it wasn’t me, I’d think it was funny too.
“Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Ellie says, trying to soften the blow. “It could have happened to any of us.”
I doubt that, but I appreciate her sentiment, regardless.
“Where did this little fender bender happen anyway?” Harlow asks, taking a leisurely sip of her drink.
“Across the street from that gas station on the way into town,” I explain, recalling the scene vividly. “Right in front of that heart-shaped mountain.”
Deafening silence falls over the table, all three of them exchanging a look that doesn’t include me.
“Well, this just keeps getting better by the second,” Harlow comments on a chuckle.
I look around the table, wondering what I’m missing.
“Heart Mountain has a legend,” Penny explains with a smile.
“A legend?” I repeat, thinking I just heard her wrong.
She nods.
“What kind of legend?”
Ellie jumps in, eager to answer. “It’s said the mountain has magical powers that can unite two souls destined to be together,” she says, a hint of amusement coating her tone. “According to the legend, at the stroke of midnight under a full moon, if you share a kiss on the mountain’s ledge, you’ll be bound to your one true love forever.”
My gaze sweeps over each woman before me, waiting for one of them to break the facade, but it never happens. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope,” Ellie replies, sounding all too cheerful about that. “It’s a legend that has spanned lifetimes. Most people don’t give it much merit anymore, but back in the day, the town truly believed in its powers to make people fall in love.”
“That must be why you keep running into Mike wherever you go,” Harlow interjects, clearly amused. “The mountain is working its magic on the two of you.”
I roll my eyes at the absurd statement. “Shall I remind you that this happened in the morning and no kiss was shared?”
“But you wanted to,” she asserts boldly, popping a peanut into her mouth.
“Did not!” I counter defensively.
She shoots me a doubtful look. “Are you telling me you don’t find that man attractive?”
“Of course I do,” I admit, knowing there’s no point in denying it. “I’m sure every woman on this planet does, but that doesn’t mean I want to kiss him. And even if I did, which I don’t,” I emphasize, “it doesn’t change the fact that the guy hates me.”
I make the statement rather casually, but deep down, it stings. Usually, I don’t care what people think of me, but after meeting Poppy and now knowing he’s a friend of Ellie’s, it bothers me more than I care to admit; especially when there’s no validation for it. Well, aside from the fact that I hit his car, but that was a complete accident.
“No way,” Ellie denies vehemently. “I refuse to believe that. Mike messed up, but deep down, he’s a good guy. He’ll make things right. You’ll see. I bet he even gives you the apology you deserve.”
I very much doubt that, but I remind myself they are friends. “Well, he did scrape my windows afterward,” I admit begrudgingly. “And gave me his snow brush.”
“Now, that’s the Mike I know,” Harlow chimes proudly.
“Same,” Ellie follows with a warm smile.
“Um, guys,” Penny cuts in nervously. “Don’t look now, but the subject of conversation is headed this way, and he looks to be on a mission.”
Despite her warning, I glance over and end up making direct eye contact. “Shit,” I sputter, quickly averting my gaze.
“Stay calm,” Harlow murmurs through her smile. “I’ve got this.”
Grateful for the support, I reach for my drink, using it as a distraction to avoid any and all contact.
“Hey, Mike,” Ellie greets him cheerfully, a little too cheerfully.
“Hey,” his voice echoes right behind me, the deep timber enveloping my senses like a warm caress.
Good god. What is wrong with me?
“What brings you over to our little hen party?” Harlow asks, her tone playful. “Got bored hanging out with those yahoos over there and decided to come have some real fun?”
He grunts, unamused by her sarcasm. “I’m about to head home but was hoping to talk with Hollis for a minute first.”
Surprise jolts through me, my eyes locking with his. “Me?” I croak.
He nods. “Got a sec?”
His gaze lacks its usual animosity, causing me pause.
Before I have a chance to respond, Harlow jumps in, saving the day. “We were just about to head out ourselves as well.”
Relief floods me for her quick thinking.
“Since you are too, maybe you can give Hollis a ride home instead?”
Panic seizes my chest, rooting me to my seat. What the hell is she doing?
“That’s a great idea,” Ellie adds, joining my demise. “It will give you guys time to talk.”
Traitors, they are all traitors.
Except for Penny, but she makes no move to save me, so she is also going on my shit list.
“You don’t mind, do you, Mike?” Ellie presses, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness.
He casts a glance around the table, picking up on the underlying tension, but thankfully chooses not to draw attention to it. “No. I don’t mind.”
Shit!
“Great, thanks.” Ellie beams, grateful for this turn of events.
Feeling like I have no other choice, I grab my jacket and rise from my chair.
Ellie stands at the same time, pulling me into a hug. “Please don’t hate me,” she whispers. “I suspect you’re about to get that apology you deserve. If not, let me know and I will kick his ass.”
Smiling, I return her hug, finding it hard to stay mad at her.
After the embrace, I turn to Mike but avoid his gaze. “I need to pay my tab before leaving.”
“It’s already been taken care of,” he informs me. “The entire table has.”
“Well, that was nice of you, Mike,” Harlow praises, making things even more awkward. “Wasn’t that nice of him, Hollis?”
My eyes narrow on her. She is definitely going at the top of the shit list.
Mike grunts, finally calling them out. “You girls are about as subtle as a fucking train wreck, you know that?”
The three of them laugh, having no shame in it.
“And feel free to thank Linc too,” he adds, directing a smirk at Harlow. “He helped cover it and I’m sure he would appreciate a hug from you.”
Annoyance tightens Harlow’s expression, smothering any remaining smugness.
Amused, I flash my new friends a parting smile and a finger wave before heading out the door. However, my victory is short-lived when I find myself alone with the bane of my existence: Officer Grump.