“I don’t know for sure that I’ll be awarded that money. What if Connor randomly decides he doesn’t want to do it anymore, or there’s some other twist in the rules? That’s too much to risk. I’d rather just wait to make a move until I have the check in my hand. As of right now, this is just a pipe dream. It’s just something I want to start without any clue at all that I can pull it off.”
Surprising me, he reached over the console and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. “It’s not a pipe dream, Jelly.” He’d started taking on the nickname more often, except now he used it as an endearment and without the teasing implied. It puzzled me, but for whatever reason, I kind of liked it when he used it affectionately. “Look at what Matt and I did. We graduated from college, got our CPA licenses, and without ever working for another firm or even owning a business, we opened Brewer and York. Trust me, I know all about the pressures of starting your own dream—from the ground up—and the money you have to borrow and pay back.” He squeezed my hand once. “I get it. And that’s why I want to do what I can to help. We can start small. That place we looked at yesterday would be perfect. It’s not too big, but at the same time, you won’t outgrow it within a year, either.”
“I know…but the price. And I have to sign a two-year contract. What if I manage to start it up and then I fail? Then I’m stuck with a lease I can’t afford for two years.”
“I really don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“You don’t know this, because you’ve never seen me work. How could you possibly have any faith in me to plan events, when you’ve never seen me put one together?”
“You’re incredibly organized, and I think that illustrates quite a bit. Not to mention, when you go to the grocery store, you always find the best deals. Like when we went to get stuff for your bathroom, you made sure everything was practical—not just for now, but for after you leave, too. It’s those little things that make me know you’ll succeed and be amazing.” The entire time he spoke, he kept his attention to the road ahead of him and refused to look my way. “Not to mention, I’ve heard you talk about your selling points and how you want to run the business. You’ve told me how you plan to offer services others don’t. I believe in you, Janelle.”
“Regardless, I would hate it if I couldn’t repay you. It’s not like I plan to stiff a bank on a loan, but I’d feel better doing that than taking your money and having to alter our agreement. You mean too much to me to do that.”
When we pulled into the driveway and parked behind Matt’s Jeep, I glanced around and noticed we were the only two cars here. I knew Nikki and Shane had taken their three girls on vacation to Disney before the start of school in a couple of weeks, but I had no idea where the others were.
“I wonder where Stacey and Rachel are.” It was more of an outspoken thought to myself than anything; I didn’t expect Holden to have the answers.
He met me around the front of the car on the way toward the front door and said, “Oh, they aren’t coming. Tony isn’t feeling well, so Stacey decided her and the kids would stay home with him, and Rachel’s in-laws are in town. They’re leaving tomorrow, so Rachel and Steve will be back next weekend for Labor Day.”
My mouth hung open while I stared at him and blinked for added dramatic effect. “How do you know all this about my family? I was here last weekend, same as you, but I don’t recall any discussion about in-laws, and how in the world do you know about Tony being sick?”
Holden grew quiet while he continued to the front porch. “Matt told me about Tony, and you must’ve missed the conversation last weekend about Steve’s parents, because it was talked about exhaustively. Your mom even commented about taking suggestions from others for the weekly family meal since Rachel’s usually the one who picks for her.”
“Oh…I guess I must not have been in the room.”
We made it to the door, but right before opening it, Holden turned to me with a straight face and intense gaze. “It was talked about at the table, during dinner.”
I was speechless, confused as to how I could’ve missed an entire conversation happening around me.
Then his lips parted to show off his cheesy smile, the one that made it obvious how funny he thought he was. “You had taken the kids to the bathroom to wash up before supper. It didn’t occur to me to say anything to you about it later because I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
“You’re an asshole.” I shoved at him and made him open the front door so we could walk inside. “You let me believe I’d blocked out an entire conversation.”
Christine pulled herself from the couch and greeted us both with hugs before dragging me into the kitchen to help Mom with dinner. Apparently, with only half her daughters here, Mom couldn’t be alone while cooking and needed our assistance. At least, that’s what Christine mumbled under her breath on our way to the kitchen.
“Anything new going on with you and Holden?” she asked after we took our seats on the barstools in front of the sink.
I quickly glanced at my mom, hoping she hadn’t heard, and then stared at Christine, offering her a death glare for bringing it up in front of my mother. Christine then waved me off just as Mom said, “You think I haven’t been just as interested? There’s a reason she brought it up in front of me. Poor girl is probably tired of hearing me ask if she knows anything.”
“Really, Ma? You’re talking about me when I’m not around?”
“No.” She glanced up and gave me a very serious expression. “I’ve simply called Christine a few times to ask if she’s heard anything about a possible budding relationship between you two. It’s not like I’m talking behind your back. I’m purely seeking information about my youngest child.” And just like that, she went back to layering the lasagna in the pan.
There were so many things I wanted to point out, if not question, but decided against fighting a battle I couldn’t win. With my arms folded in front of me, I settled in to explain—apparently, to both of them. “We’re not going to get together, so you both might as well stop waiting for the impossible to happen. And where did your sudden interest come from, Christine?”
“I don’t know. I love you both and think you’re so good together.”
“Yeah, because we’re friends. That’s all we’ve ever been and that’s the end of it. It’d be too weird if we were more than that. He’s like a brother, for heaven’s sake.”
“No offense, but I don’t see you look at Matty like that, Jelly.” Christine smirked.
I shot her a thankless glare.
“Your father is my best friend,” Mom added in her singsong voice. She closed the oven door and leaned against the counter with her hip, pointing her motherly stare my way.
“And Matty’s mine.” Christine propped her chin on her fist and offered me a smug grin. “I think that’s the whole point. Right? You marry your best friend. So your argument isn’t very valid.”