Holly's Crush: The Complete Trilogy (7 page)

“Can I help you?” The woman asked, smiling.

“Yes, is –”

“Who’s at the door?” Jack said, coming out of the kitchen. He was holding a spoon filled with some kind of sauce. It smelled delicious. 

He can cook too?
Holly thought.

“Hi, Holly.” Jack handed the spoon to the violet-eyed woman. “Glad to see you up and about. Would you like to stay for dinner? I’m making manicotti with my homemade sauce.”

“Which is amazing, as always,” the woman said, handing the spoon back to Jack.

“Uh, no thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I can’t stay.” Holly felt really uncomfortable standing there between the two of them. “I just stopped by to say thank you for seeing me home last night. I hope I didn’t mess up your evening in any way.”

“Of course not,” the woman said, speaking up before Jack had a chance to. “He was happy to do it.”

Holly was starting to feel more and more awkward being there.
Who is this woman?

The woman/cherub smacked Jack on the arm, urging him to say something.

“Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. It’s hard to get a word in sometimes around my sister, she has a tendency to speak for me,” Jack said.

Sister?

Rolling her eyes at her brother, she turned towards Holly and offered her hand. “Nice to officially meet you. My name’s Olivia, Jack’s sister.”

“I really need to get back to my sauce. If you change your mind about dinner, we have more than enough food.” Jack left for the kitchen, leaving the two women together.

Holly’s shoulders relaxed after finding out that this beautiful woman was Jack’s sister. Of course! She could see the resemblance now. They both had the same silky dark hair and extraordinary-looking eyes; different colors, but equally bewitching.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?” Olivia asked. “I’d love to get to know you better.”

As tempting as the smells were coming from the kitchen, and the even more tempting thought of the man in the kitchen, Holly had to decline. She still wasn’t feeling fully better and the thought of actually eating the food, and not just smelling it, made her queasy. Some of her friends swore by greasy food to cure a hangover, but she couldn’t stomach that idea. She did better not eating at all and just drinking tons of water. Then the next morning, she was usually starving and would scarf down an entire box of cookies for breakfast. Hmmm…maybe not the best solution either, but neither was drinking yourself sick to begin with.

“Is everything okay?” Olivia asked.

“What? Oh, sorry…I guess I’m still a little out of it.”

“Yes, I heard all about your night,” Olivia said, winking. “I’m so glad that my brother was there to help.”

Wait, what? Did she look like that much of a fool last night that he was talking about it to others?

Olivia must have noticed the horrified look on her face because she laughed and said, “Oh, I didn’t mean to embarrass you! It really wasn’t that big of a deal. Tell me who hasn’t had a few too many.”

“Thanks Olivia, but I should get going so I can hurry up and veg out on my couch the rest of the night. It was nice meeting you.”

Holly turned to leave when Olivia blurted out, “Wait a sec.” She grabbed a pen and paper and started writing something. “I know you just moved here not too long ago and it never hurts to meet new people—”

Holly put up her hand. “I appreciate that, but I’m really not looking to be set up at the moment.”

Olivia burst out laughing. “No, that’s not what I meant. Here is my number.” She handed Holly the slip of paper. “I thought it would be fun for us to hang out. You know, girl stuff: shopping, going out to lunch, wine. I know this great little café that has the best wine and pastries.” Olivia struck a pose. “As you can see, I am no stranger to pastries. I know what I’m talking about.” Olivia let out another of her deep, sincere laughs.

Holly promised to call. She seemed like a fun person and very sweet, with the added benefit of her being Jack’s sister. She never had to wonder if this was yet another potential hookup for him.

Holly went back home and headed straight for the fridge. She suddenly had this intense craving for orange juice. As she stood there, guzzling it from the carton, she was reminded of the upcoming wedding. The wedding that she was dreading big time. She felt a bit pitiful going without a date, but surely no one would expect her to be with someone so soon after her breakup. It sucked that her ex-fiancé, Brian, would probably be there; she did not want to cross paths with him again, especially this soon. She could wish all she wanted, but que sera sera.

She tossed the empty carton in the trash and headed for the bedroom. She was planning on settling in for the night with a mystery novel she’d been wanting to read. But first, she forced herself to call Amy back. She wasn’t in the mood for talking on the phone, but Amy had already left her several messages and she would start worrying soon if she didn’t hear from her. Holly didn’t need anyone breaking down her door tonight.

It was a quick conversation. Evidently, Holly had interrupted her during “private” time with her boyfriend. By the way that Amy was panting, it sounded more like she caught her in the middle of hot monkey sex.
Why in the world would she even answer the phone?
Holly made plans with her to talk later when her mouth was free, but not before she found out that Lexi ended up going home with Scott last night. Apparently, they are fuck buddies.
Nice.
Holly thought that bit of information would have been good to know before her date last night, but at least she didn’t have to feel guilty anymore for lusting after Jack. She’s gotta give the girl some credit though – she goes for what she wants and what she wants is sex, pure and simple.

Holly put her phone away for the night and snuggled in the covers, bringing out her book again. A few pages in, she became distracted. Once in awhile, she just felt lonely and wanted a man beside her. For the most part she was happy and content with her newly single life, but that didn’t change the fact that she was a warm-blooded woman who craved a naked body next to her now and then. For now, she’d just have to settle for Mr. Flipper.

***

The next few weeks brought some good and not-so-good news.

Starting with the good, Holly was offered a permanent position with the accounting firm. The lady she was filling in for decided to stay home and try her hand at full-time motherhood. It was quite a relief to not have to worry about finding another job, since she had been looking around recently, and not having much luck. It wasn’t her dream job, but it was a job for however long she wanted it.

The not-so-good (actually, shitty) news, besides not seeing Jack around lately, was what she learned at Julie’s and Trey’s wedding shower. It had been fun to see some of her (their) old friends again, but it was also uncomfortable. They asked so many questions: 

“So…what happened between the two of you anyway? I heard you freaked out and took off.”

“Did you meet someone else?”

“I can’t believe you left him – he was loaded! You would have been set for life.”

“I heard you were a lesbian and just couldn’t live the lie anymore.”

And so on and so on…

Once she set everyone straight: “no, I am not gay”, “no, I am not afraid of commitment”, “no, I didn’t meet another man”, she found out that Brian will definitely be at the wedding
and
he will be bringing his pretty, new girlfriend (who just happened to be a successful attorney).

Holly’s first thought: What. The. Fuck.

Holly second thought: What. The. Fuck. Also, where was she going to find someone to be her date
to a fricking wedding
at this short of notice?
 

***

Can I get you anything to drink, Holly?” Jack asked.

They were sitting at a table, along with another couple she had never met before. Here they were, at the Marquis – some fancy, schmancy ballroom, for Julie and Trey’s wedding reception and there wasn’t even an open bar. Holly couldn’t believe that she forgot her money at home when she squeezed everything (apparently not her cash) into a teeny purse for tonight. Fortunately, Jack was too much of a gentleman to allow her to pay anyway.

“A glass of red wine would be great. Merlot if they have it.”

“You got it.”

Holly watched Jack walk up to the bar, enjoying the view. He looked just as fine going as he did coming. She couldn’t decide if she should kiss Olivia or strangle her the next time she seen her…

 Jack returned with her wine and as he was placing it down in front of her, he whispered into her ear, “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Okay, she was leaning more towards kissing her.

***

Flashback a couple weeks prior when Holly and Olivia had their fun girl’s day out:

“I think you should invite my brother to be your date for the wedding.” Olivia said.

They were sitting in the café that Olivia had raved about the first day she met Holly. They had already gone out to lunch, did some shopping, and ended up there when they needed something sweet to top it off. They polished off a couple chocolate croissants and were now sipping cinnamon cappuccinos. Olivia was right – she definitely knew her pastries. This place was utopia.

Olivia was the type of person that could draw you in immediately with her easy-going nature and sweet disposition. If someone couldn’t get along with her, they really had a problem. Holly had felt so comfortable around her, that before long, she had told her everything about the wedding shower and her current dilemma over finding a date.

“I don’t feel like I know him well enough to ask him to a wedding. Besides, I don’t want to come in between any other women he may be seeing.”

“Pfffft, don’t worry about that. There aren’t any other women, at least not any worth worrying about. I can run it by him first if you’re feeling nervous, but something tells me that he would have no problem saying ‘yes’.”

“Am I that much of a charity case?” Holly asked.

“Don’t be silly!” Olivia playfully slapped Holly’s arm and let out an infectious laugh. “I just know my brother, that’s all. And you, Holly dear, are far from a charity case. Any guy would jump at the chance to take you out.”

If Jack felt that way, I’m sure he would have asked me already,
Holly wanted to say, but instead she threw caution to the wind and said, “Okay, sure. Why not? It’s not like I have that many options at this point.”

“Eeek!” Olivia shrieked. Actually shrieked. And jumped up and down. In fact, she was bouncing so enthusiastically that Holly was worried her enormous breasts would take out a passerby. She couldn’t figure out why Olivia was this excited, but she just chalked it up to her bubbly personality.

“I will talk to Jack soon. He has been crazy busy with work stuff lately, so I know he’d love to go have some fun!” Olivia said. “Let’s go! We’ve got to go shopping again and find you a sexy drop-dead-go-to-hell-ex-fiancé dress. But first, we need to get more of those croissants for the road - a body like this doesn’t just happen!”

***

And that is how, thirteen days and two hours later, Holly happened to be attending a fancy-schmancy wedding with Jack as her date. ‘Technically not a date’ date, but everyone else didn’t know that. She’d seen all the envious looks other woman (and a few men) gave her as she walked in with him. It was thrilling to know that he was with her, even if he wasn’t
with
her.

Jack really came through for her; Holly would have no problem facing down her ex and Miss Perfect now. Speaking of…they had been there nearly an hour and still no sign of Brian. Maybe she would luck out and he wouldn’t show at all.
Yeah, right.

“That is a really great dress,” Jack said, snapping her out of her Brian-thoughts. She glanced over at the gorgeous man sitting beside her. Here she was, spending the evening with the hottest thing walking and she was thinking about her ex - what was wrong with her?

Holly finished her glass of wine and said, “Thank you. I love it too. Your sister has great taste.”

“Yeah, Olivia told me all about your day. She has nothing but good things to say about you.”

“Well, the feeling’s mutual. I’m so glad I took her up on her offer to call her. She is an incredible person – I can see us becoming good friends.”

Jack smiled, looking pleased that Holly and his sister were hitting it off. “I noticed that you were looking around a lot earlier, are you trying to find your ex?”

Holly wondered how much he really knew about her situation. “Yeah, I was just wondering if he was here yet with his new girlfriend. Doesn’t matter though, I really appreciate you doing me this favor and giving up a night to come hang with me at a wedding.”

“Holly… it wasn’t like that. I…you know what? The night is still young. Are you ready for another glass of wine?”

“I’m going to pace myself tonight. I definitely don’t want a repeat of last time. I wouldn’t mind walking around though. There are some people I should be saying hi to.”

Her and Jack worked the room for awhile, invaded lots of questions (“he’s a close friend of mine,” is all she would divulge), and ate lots of good food. Extravagant receptions served the best mini appetizers.

Just when Holly thought she was in the clear, Brian-wise, she noticed him. He spotted her also and sashayed his way over. On his arm, like a high-priced accessory, was a cool blonde. Jack picked up on Holly’s tense expression and as a result, he firmly grasped her hand. She startled a bit, it was so unexpected, but she quickly relaxed and offered up a silent “thank you”.

“Hello, Holly. So nice to see you again.” Brian gave her a peck on the cheek. “I trust you’re doing well. And who do we have here?”

“This would be Jack.” Holly felt no need to elaborate further.

“Hello,” Jack said. He released Holly’s hand just long enough to shake Brian’s, but then grabbed it again immediately afterwards and also pulled her a little closer.

A look of amusement washed over Brian’s face when he noticed Jack’s behavior. Holly wanted to smack it off.