Holly versus Mr. Ivy by Amanda P. Jones
Chapter 30
Rhett
really did, but at the moment, I wanted her to suddenly be too tired to watch Elf with Holly and me. Of course, fate did NOT want Holly and me to kiss again. From the moment I rang the doorbell, Deidre hovered like a chaperone worried her daughter’s virtue was in question. We hadn’t had a single moment alone. As much as I wanted to kiss Holly, I was a man in a desert being tortured with the possibility of water, but not getting any. A simple hand hold or hug would do. I just needed a drop of Holly to sustain me until we were alone.
Deidre sat in her recliner, and I sat in what was becoming my usual spot on one end of the couch with Holly a cushion’s distance away from me.
I longed to wrap her in my arms. To hold her close, smelling her subtle floral perfume, and relish in her soft curves molding perfectly next to mine. Deidre rarely left the house and didn’t know Uncle Anthony, so the chances of her spilling the beans about our relationship were slim. But Holly and I were too scared to risk openly displaying our affection.
If we only had my job to worry about, I’d possibly reconsider keeping my hands in my lap. But I wouldn’t risk Holly’s position, not after what she’d told me about their finances. Holly was an amazing chef and would easily find another job, but I’d hate that she would have to because I hadn’t been able to keep myself in check around other people. As hard as it was to pretend Holly was just my friend, I would. The second the movie was over, though, all bets were off when it came to coming up with ways to get Holly alone.
Holly made a gagging noise as Buddy poured syrup over his noodles. “That’s just wrong on so many levels.”
I wholeheartedly agreed. “I saw a video of a mom who made noodles out of pancake batter using a squeeze bottle. It took her forever to cook that many pancake noodles, but her kids loved eating their ‘spaghetti’ while they watched this movie.”
If you checked my social media saved items, that video may or may not be there. When I’d watched it, a pang of longing to start that tradition with my own kids someday had me pushing the save button. It was way too soon to mention that to Holly, but the dream was unburied and growing like a budding flower on a spring day.
“Do you sing?” I asked Holly as we watched the two main characters singing on the show.
Holly pointed to the TV. “Not like that.”
Deidre added, “She’s pretty good. Don’t let her fool you.”
Well, looky there. Holly had talents outside the kitchen. “How do you feel about singing in front of people?”
She narrowed her eyes at me. She spoke slowly and hesitantly. “I was in my high school choir. That’s as advanced as my skills go.”
Excellent.Every year, Mom organized carolers to visit one of the local assisted living centers. The simple act of service always brought the Christmas spirit into my heart.
Holly could come with me and meet my parents. If the thought of meeting them didn’t freak her out. We hadn’t known one another long, but Holly felt right. Like my life was a strand of Christmas lights with one section of bulbs burned out. I still functioned, but once Holly came in and fixed my broken pieces, I shined brighter than ever before.
“How would you feel about dusting off your rusty vocal cords and caroling with my family on December twenty-third?” I turned over my shoulder to Deidre. “You’re invited too, Dee. Even Trevor and Noah, if they want to come.”
It wasn’t like I could introduce Holly as my girlfriend. Might as well invite as many people as possible to throw my parents off any hints about why Holly was with me. I’d better extend the invitation to Jack and Meg as well.
“That’s very sweet of you to offer,” Deidre said. “I can’t answer that until the day of, as it will depend on how I’m feeling.”
I turned my attention to Holly.
Her shoulders bunched up to her ears. “When you say family, who are we talking about here?”
It made sense she’d be wary. “My mom’s side of the family goes together.“ No Uncle Anthony to worry about.
Her shoulders relaxed. “Sure. Could be fun. What time do you go?”
“One. We go to an assisted living facility, and that’s right after lunch but before nap time.” And before I had to be at work.
“Count me in,” Holly said.
I smiled, pleased that Holly agreed. Getting to hear her sing also filled me with anticipation. Would Holly sing lullabies to our children at night when tucking them in?
My face heated. What the heck, Rhett? You’ve barely been on one date with the woman. Stop thinking of forever and take it slow.
“Can I get some water?” I croaked out.
“Ice?” Holly asked, already standing.
I nodded and followed Holly to the kitchen. Looking over my shoulder, I made sure Deidre’s back still faced us. Satisfied she was engrossed in the movie, I snatched Holly’s arm, pulling her into my chest.
She yelped, but I glared at her to keep quiet. Checking again to make sure Deidre paid us no attention, I hugged Holly tighter. “We need to be quick,” I whispered, “but I’ve been dying to say hello properly.”
Holly settled her cheek on my chest. “I know, me too. I’m sorry we couldn’t go to your house.”
Worried we’d lingered too long already, I stepped away from Holly. “Another time?”
She nodded, then pointed to the cupboard where the glasses were. I grabbed one and filled it from the fridge.
“Tomorrow my mom is making gingerbread for houses. Do you want to decorate with us?”
I grinned. Spend more time with Holly doing Christmas activities? “Of course I do. Can I bring candy or something?” The last time I’d decorated a gingerbread house had been when I was thirteen. After that, I had been too cool to do it anymore. The kits Mom had bought also got boring. They were the same every year. With Dee making the dough and different candy, the opportunities for creativity were endless. Castle? Restaurant? Traditional house? Cabin?
Holly watched me swallow my water. “I have a bunch of stuff already. Just come.”
“With everything you’ve already provided, I’ll have lunch delivered while we decorate.”
“Seriously?” she deadpanned.
I folded my arms across my chest. “Yes. I’ll order Francesca’s—or anything else you want.” I wasn’t backing down. Holly had fed me way too much. I also wanted to give her a break from cooking. She did it all day, every day.
She waved around the kitchen. “I can make us sandwiches or something.”
“Not the point. And your hands are still healing.”
Her brows furrowed, making lines appear on her forehead. “Why waste money on something we can make at home?”
“Why not take the gift being offered to you?” I challenged. She infuriated me, but I also loved the challenge. Things were never dull with Holly.
“Fine.”
“Fine,” I echoed, secretly pleased she gave in so easily. I mean, I wasn’t backing down no matter what, but now we could get back to our movie faster. “What food do you want?”
“Indian from The Paneer Pot.”
Of course she had chosen an ethnic restaurant. “I sense a theme with your dining preferences.”
“What theme would that be?”
“Authentic food from other countries.”
She shrugged, looking down at her feet. “If you weren’t stuck with my idiosyncrasy about food, where would you want to go?”
“I’m easy. Pizza or a burger is always a safe bet with me.”
“I like pizza from Russo’s.”
The wood fire-oven place? “And what about something less gourmet, like the pizza joint down the street?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll eat it if that’s what you want.”
I chuckled. “It’s fine. I’ll just always eat my fast food when you’re not with me.”
“That’s very sweet.” She smiled. “I think I’ll keep you.”
“You already said no takebacks. You’re stuck with me.” Hopefully for the rest of our lives.
She sighed. “I guess if I have to saddle myself to someone, you’re a decent choice.”
“Decent?” I said, mockingly offended. “Decent?”
She blinked at me. “What word would you have me use instead?”
“Excellent. Phenomenal. Outstanding.” I threw my arms out to the side. “Take your pick.”
“Hmm.” Her lips puckered to the side. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”
I narrowed my eyes at her.
She blew me a kiss, complete with a wink.
I caught her kiss and acted like it was a dagger to my heart. I couldn’t wait for the real thing, and the longer we stood here, the harder it was not to touch her. “Ready to go back?” I jerked my head toward the living room.
“Yeah.” Holly took my glass from me, placing it on the counter.
Thirty more minutes, then fingers crossed, Deidre would retire to her room. Holly and I settled back into the seats we’d previously occupied. I imagined Holly was tucked in next to me, her hand on my chest, my fingers playing with her hair.
An eternity later, the movie finally ended. I loved Elf—it was the best holiday movie out there, full of laughter and Christmas cheer. But I couldn’t be happier it was over.
Holly stood, stretching her arms and yawning. “Man, I’m tired. Are you tired, Mom?”
Way to be subtle, Holly. I bit my lips, holding back a smile, and stood as well.
“I’m actually feeling pretty good,” Deidre said. “I’m ready for another movie or lunch.”
My stomach sank. Really? Of all the times for her to stick around, it had to be now?
“Oh.” Holly deflated. “Okay. What do you want first?”
Deidre burst out in laughter. She placed a hand on her stomach as her laugh went on and on and on.
Holly and I exchanged confused looks.
“What’s so funny?” Holly asked.
She pointed between the two of us. “Your faces.” She laughed again. “You want time alone. All you had to do was say as much, Holly. I appreciate you thinking of me and wanting to stick around, but seriously, you can go on dates without me.”
“We’re not dating,” Holly rushed out. Her cheeks turned pink.
Yeah, that’s also not obvious, Holly.Man, that woman needed a lesson in subtlety.
“We’re just friends, but I’m glad you think I’m good enough that Holly would want to date me,” I said, trying to back up Holly’s lie.
Deidre shot us both a dry look. “I’m sick, not blind. I’m going to head to my room for an hour. Then I’ll be ready for lunch. If you two want to hang out or watch another movie, I’ll promise to announce my presence and give you a few seconds before barging in.”
“Mom!” Holly protested. Her ears went crimson. “What do you think we’re going to be doing out here while you’re in your room? Right. There.” She gestured in the direction of Deidre’s bedroom.
“Well, sweetie, usually when a man and woman like each other very much, they—“
Holly slapped her forearms over her ears. “Stop! That is NOT happening. Please, just go before you say anything else embarrassing.”
Deidre rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Holly, we’re all adults here. I’m very well aware of what two young, attractive people might get up to. But I do hope you’ll remember I can hear you.”
I tried to hold it in, I honestly did, but a laugh bellowed out of me. “You know what, Dee? Thank you. We’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
“Rhett!” Holly chastised. “Don’t egg her on.”
I looked at her helplessly. “You’re the one yawning and acting all put out that she was staying. Of course Dee knows you want to get me alone and have your way with me.”
Holly brought her hand up to her mouth, dropped it, then pointed between Deidre and me with narrowed eyes. “You know what? Maybe I’ll leave you two alone. Let you jokesters have some time together.”
I figured since we’d done a terrible job of keeping our relationship a secret, it wouldn’t matter if I hugged Holly in front of her mom. Snatching Holly around her waist, I pulled her to my chest. Holly weakly struggled against me but quickly gave in. “As much as I like your company, Dee, I would enjoy having some privacy with your daughter.”
Deidre grinned. “Ha!” She pointed at us. “I knew it.”
“Mom, you can’t tell anybody about us,” Holly pleaded. “We’ll both get fired if Anthony Ivy finds out.”
“Who am I going to tell?”
Holly’s shoulders shrugged against my sides. “Aunt Bridget? Trevor? Noah? Your doctor? Seriously, any slip, and they accidentally say something to someone else and the next thing you know, you and I are homeless.”
She held her hands out. “Okay, mum’s the word. But for the record, I’m very happy about this. Thank you for an early Christmas present.”
Deidre’s happiness had not factored into my decision to fall for Holly, but I’d take the added perk. “It’s our pleasure,” I said.
“I’ll see you in an hour.” Deidre left for her room, leaving Holly and me alone at last.
“Well, that was awful.” Holly looked up at me.
Our height difference made hugging and talking difficult. Either Holly got a crick in her neck, or my back strained. I pulled her to the couch, settling her in my lap and rubbing my hand up and down her back. “I enjoyed it.”
“Psh.” She smacked my chest. “Of course you did.”
“Random question.”
Holly eyed me suspiciously. “What?”
“What’s your guilty pleasure? And you can’t say books because I already know about your obsession.”
The look she gave me—her eyes dilating, a hunger in them—made it clear the answer was me.
Giddy-up.My pulse took off as fast as a race horse.
“Let me show you,” Holly practically purred.
Milliseconds later, her lips were on mine.
Fun fact: there were no cameras inside The Boardwalk, only in the parking lot. Sunday afternoon when Holly got to work and came to my office to say hello, I closed the door behind her, immediately pushing her up against it and capturing her lips in mine.
She pushed me away, but the second I confirmed we were alone with no one watching, Holly climbed me like a monkey until she was in my arms (injured hands notwithstanding), her legs wrapped around my waist with me supporting our weight with the door behind us.
We made out like famished souls, and the cure, each other. We finally settled when it was close to the time our employees would be arriving. Holly combed her fingertips through my hair, settling it back into place, a satisfied smile on her face.
“I like that look on you,” she said happily.
“Bedhead?”
She slowly shook her head, a twinkle in her eye. “Make-out hair.”
I chuckled and helped her twist her shirt back into its normal position and told her I’d help her put some lip balm on her red lips. Lips that were swollen because of me. I had to look away before the heat rushing around in my stomach pushed me to ignore all sense of reality and whisk Holly away to a lone cabin in the woods. Content we weren’t too disheveled, Holly went to her office, leaving me alone. With her gone, the room felt extra lonely.
We survived the meeting with Uncle Anthony. He was as stern and difficult as ever, but just looking at Holly sitting next to me had calmed me. The overwhelming thoughts didn’t take control and cause an anxiety attack. Anthony wasn’t pleased with our progress and repeatedly reminded us that I’d lose my promotion and Holly her job if we didn’t meet the goal.
We assured him we would come out victorious. If it took me cold-calling people to get them into the restaurant, I would. If I had to rent a weird costume and wander the streets passing out flyers, I would. Because failing wasn’t an option when so much was on the line.
The next few weeks at work, we managed to keep away from one another while employees were there, but as soon as we were alone, we took advantage of our freedom. I’d even brought in some mistletoe I hung—and took down every night—above my desk, the hallway outside our offices, and in the lobby. Every chair, desk, and wall was used while we familiarized ourselves with each other’s mouths, necks, and jaws. My feelings for Holly grew with every moment we shared, and not just because of the kissing, but that was most certainly a highlight. The thing about Holly was she was passionate and fierce, but she had a tender side that undid me.
I went over to Holly’s Monday morning and decorated gingerbread houses with her and Deidre. Let’s just say my skills had not improved since I was little. There was no amount of frosting or candy that would make my house look better. Holly stated she loved it and proudly displayed it on the kitchen sideboard alongside hers and Dee’s. Mine looked like a toddler’s compared to theirs. Holly’s could win awards if she entered it into a contest. What amazed me was that in contrast to Holly’s lack of drawing skills, her gingerbread decorating slayed.
After that, we spent as much time together as possible. Almost every morning after I’d worked out and showered, I’d head to Holly’s. On occasion, when Holly didn’t feel too guilty about leaving her mom, she’d come over to my house. We rarely went out, preferring our alone time, when we didn’t have to restrain our words or physical affection.
It had been three weeks full of fun, connection, and growth. We went ice skating, talked, and watched a bajillion Christmas movies curled up on the couch together. Holly’s laugh made my chest as light as air. Her smile put flutters in my stomach, and her kisses raged fire and electricity throughout my body.
Christmas was less than a week away, but I gave Holly an early gift. I’d taken the day off to coincide with Holly’s normal day off and worked it out with Deidre for me to take Holly half an hour away to go tubing at a mountain resort. I hadn’t had that much fun since I was a kid.
We’d only known one another for three months, but I was in love. None of my past girlfriends had made me feel the way I did about Holly. She presented me with her scrooge-like attitude, but underneath, she was as soft as a marshmallow. Overall, this December had been the best I’d ever had, which said something, because I’d had some pretty fantastic holidays as a child.