“I—“
The sound of something hitting my window cuts me off.
“What was that?” My mom’s eyes are wide on my screen.
“Not sure.” I scooch off the chair and go to the window, pulling back the thick, floral curtains as something tinks against the glass again. “What the—?”
I look down to see Holland staring up at me, wide grin slashing across his handsome face. I pull the window open. It squeaks so loud I’m sure the entire inn is going to be onto us.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss out on a whisper, glancing around the grounds of Daisy’s Inn. There’s a light on at Candace Patchcab’s house, and the streetlights from the road cast a dim glow on the garden and the yard beyond.
“Taking you out,” he whispers back. “If that’s alright with you.”
I feel my brow furrow. “You’re supposed to be on a date with Jennah. Where is she?”
“I sent her home. Vivian wasn’t thrilled, but…” Holland shrugs, as if to saywhat can ya do? He tips his chin up again. “Anyway, I came to ask you out on a real date. I want to make my intentions very clear, so listen up. I’m only going to say this once.” He points at me. “You ready for this?”
I press my lips together, fighting a smile, and nod.
“Mallory Walsh, will you go out on a date with me?”
I tap my chin, pretending to consider my options. “I don’t know. It’s getting close to my bedtime. The pillows here at the inn are practically calling my name, so…”
“Hey, but so am I! Mallory!” he says in a stage whisper. “Mallory! Wherefore art thou, Mallory?”
I snort. “Don’t go theRomeo and Julietroute. I’m begging you. They both die.”
He scrunches up his nose. “Good point. Okay. But will you come down here? I promise it’ll be worth it. Besides, I bet I can make you nice and comfy.” He wags his brows.
I splutter out a laugh. “What does that even mean?”
“Guess you’ll have to come with me to find out.”
“Fine.” I shake my head. “You know, you could have texted me, right?”
“Where’s the fun in that? I’m trying to woo you, remember?”
“How could I forget?”
He smirks and motions to the tree branch that’s nearest to my window. “Can you sneak down?”
“Holland, I’m not climbing down a tree for you. I’ll break my neck. We’d be halfway to Romeo and Juliet’s fate.”
He pouts. “Come on! Where’s your sense of romance? Or adventure?”
“I left it in my other purse.”
“That’s what they all say.”
I shake my head at him, but I’m grinning. My stomach is bubbling with anticipation and, if I’m being honest, relief that he sent Jennah home. The thought of her with him makes me want to crawl out of my skin. “Give me five minutes.”
“Make it three.”
At my arched brows, he shrugs. “I’m an impatient man, Mallory.”
“Since when?” I challenge. He is one of the most laidback, carefree people I know. He’s never had a problem going with the flow or taking his time, sometimes even to the point where other players are annoyed with his diligence and deliberate play on the course.
“Since I started wanting you, and you made me hope that maybe there’s a chance you want me too.”
