“Actually, we need to get going, too.” Hailey tucked her tablet back into her bag. “I promised Blake that if he got the girls in bed we’d break out the Sexopoly game.”
Holly could feel her face heat, whereas none of the others seemed affected. Had they forgotten a virtual stranger was in the room? What would Roth think? He merely smiled. Apparently nothing.
“You still have that game?” Grams asked. “Didn’t I get that for you at your bridal shower?”
Hailey nodded and grinned, grabbing everyone’s coats from the closet. “Not only do I have it, but the box is so worn it’s held together by duct tape.”
Grams shot Holly a severe look. “I’d get you a game like that if you ever got married.”
“You don’t need to be married to enjoy board games, Grams.” Holly pecked the older lady on the cheek as she helped her into her jacket.
“This is true, young lady.” Grams eyes sparkled as she patted Holly’s cheek. She turned to Roth. “Do you play board games, Roth?”
All eyes turned toward him, and Holly’s heart swelled when he actually turned a light shade of red. “I’ve been known to play a few over the years.”
“Well, if you come to Sunday dinner with Holly soon, you can join us for Balderdash, Clue, Scrabble—”
“Or Candy Land with the kids.” Hailey jabbed him in the arm and then shook her head playfully at Grams. “Leave him alone. And by the way, Holly, thanks for helping me get those accounts set up. I might call you from work Monday if I have any questions.”
“I’ll be here.”
Roth helped her mom and Hailey into their jackets and then turned toward Holly. “We still on for the gym Monday morning?”
Her stomach sank. He’d said earlier he had to leave because he had work to do, but she’d hoped he’d just been feeding them a line with a plan to make an exit and then come back after they’d gone. But his question now didn’t make that sound like a possibility. “Seven?”
“Perfect.”
“And tomorrow’s Sunday, so if you care to join us for dinner, Roth, you’re more than welcome to tag along with Holly.” Her mother’s gaze shifted between Holly and Roth, a hopeful smile curving her lips.
“Thank you, MaryAnn. I wish I could, but I already have plans.” He made his way toward the door. “Nice meeting you, ladies. Holly, I’ll see you Monday morning.”
The door clicked closed, and the room fell silent.
“He’s very nice, Holly.” Mom drew out each word as if Holly couldn’t understand English.
“He is. But please put away that look.” Holly sighed.
“What look?” Her mother’s eyes went wide, and she twisted her earring. She’d never win an Academy Award for acting.
“I know you. And you.” She glared from Mom to Grams as they eyeballed her with looks of innocence.
Hailey came up beside them and flung her arm around Holly’s shoulders. “How’d you get so lucky to get a looker like that right across the hall? And single to boot?”
“I told you before. We’re friends. Nothing more.”
Her mother frowned. “But you could—”
“Friends. That’s final.”
Didn’t they just have this conversation? Would her family never give up? Holly shrugged out from beneath Hailey’s grip and groaned.
The other three women gave one another knowing glances, and Grams flicked Holly on the chin with her finger. “For now.”
“Since he can’t make it for Sunday dinner, why don’t you invite him next Saturday?” Grams inquired with a small smirk.
“To our annual birthday dinner?” Holly could barely believe Grams’s suggestion. Every year since she could remember, Grams had always taken Holly and Hailey out for dinner on their birthday. It’d become a long-standing tradition—a tradition Holly actually embraced.
“Why not?” Grams shrugged.
“Because it’s always just been us three.” Holly wouldn’t invite Roth. She couldn’t. For some reason that added an amount of intimacy with him that didn’t sit right in her gut. “Plus, he’s working on some top secret project that he won’t even tell me about, and he’s also designing an engagement ring for his brother’s fiancée.”
“I’m sure your friend could spare a few hours to help celebrate your birthday.” Hailey nudged her shoulder.
“Since our birthday is really Thursday, I’m sure Roth and I will take in a movie or something, but we can count him out for anything more.” They didn’t need to know that she and Roth had formed their own birthday tradition. For her birthday he cooked his famous meatball dinner and they turned on Netflix—usually to binge watch some series—and on his special day they took a trip to Yesterdog and pigged out on Killerdogs. Memories of last year filled her mind. She liked hot dogs, but Roth loved them. She’d never seen anyone put away that many dogs in one sitting.
“Well, maybe another time, then.” Hailey actually sounded bummed, and that made Holly feel like the worst sister in the state.
“Sure. Maybe another time.”
Mom’s face grew stern. “You should give him a chance. Plenty of people start out as friends and then—”
“Roth and I aren’t… He’s not…”
“Are you saying Roth prefers men?” Gram’s eyes grew wide.
A collective gasp filled the tiny room, and then their chatter invaded the air, and Holly couldn’t think, let alone make out who said what.
“No. No, you guys. He likes women,” she practically yelled, waving her arms around. But nobody seemed to listen as they all went off in a different direction.
“I wonder if he’d be interested in Bernard?” Mom’s glance pinged around to the others in the room, a hopeful lilt in her voice.
Hailey groaned. “Bernard? He’s old enough to be Roth’s father.”
“Hell, Bernard is old enough to be my father.” Grams laughed.
Holly choked out a laugh at her family’s antics. “He’s not gay. He likes women.”
Mom lifted her chin, ignoring Holly’s words. “Ever since Bernard and Paul broke up, he’s been single. He needs to get out—”
“No, Mom. Just no.” Hailey held up her hand.
“How about Jonathan. He’s that new guy from work I was telling you about. He’d be perfect for Roth. They’re both nice looking and…”
“Mom, do you always have to try to play matchmaker for everyone you meet?” Hailey asked.
Grams opened the door and stepped into the hallway. “Good to see you, dear.” She leaned in to peck Holly’s cheek.
“I’ll come up with someone for Roth.” Mom grinned.
“He’s not interested, Mom. And he’s not gay,” Holly said sternly. Why wouldn’t they listen? Because they’re already too excited at the idea of matchmaking a new prospect.
“See you later, sis. Thanks again,” Hailey called over her shoulder as she ushered their mom and Grams out the door.
The group made their way down the hall toward the elevators, and Holly leaned into the doorjamb and sighed. She could hear their incessant chatter about the perfect someone for Roth. Male and female names were thrown out, and Holly rolled her eyes and closed the door.
Poor Roth. If they ever met him again they’d have his Roth Honey List already mapped out. At the rate they were listing names, his list would be longer than her own. She’d have to warn him.
Chapter Eight
Roth bumped Holly playfully in the hip as they exited the elevator onto their floor. He swiped his towel across his face. “That was a great workout.”
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “You always make it look effortless, while I’m klutzing around and fighting for air.”
He laughed, enjoying the way she made fun of herself. “You make klutzing look good.”
“If only I could breathe while doing it. At least I have these toned arms and legs. Of course, I owe them all to you.” Holly flexed her biceps and then bounced around him as she boxed the air. “I move like a butterfly and sting like—�
�
“You’re getting carried away, Muhammad.” He quieted her jabs with his palm on her fists.
She jabbed him in the shoulder with a right hook. “A bee.”
They stopped in the hallway between their doors, and Roth flung the towel around his neck, gripping each end as he rocked on his heels. “All your work has paid off.” He gave her a wolf whistle as he raked his gaze over her from head to toe.
“Puhleeze.” She laughed, batting her eyelashes at him playfully. “If anyone deserves a good harassing whistle, it’s you. Look at those guns. Damn. You have some amazing arms.”
He flexed his biceps, waggling his brows, and she squeezed his arms, whistling softly.
“Now who’s getting carried away?” She jabbed him again in the shoulder. “In all seriousness, thanks again for being my workout buddy.”
“Glad to help you reach your goals.” He opened his door and held it ajar with his foot. “Still on for Thursday?”
“Most definitely.”
“I know you love birthdays. Especially your own.”
She grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “No. What I love is your meatball dinner.”
“And you know that’s a guarantee. You sure you don’t want to postpone? Sounds like you have a busy week. Your annual dinner with your grandma and sister, cake at your parents’ on Sunday, with what I’m sure will amount to a boatload of gifts, and who knows what else will crop up?”
“I know. I’m a lucky girl, but no way do I want to postpone your famous meatball dinner. I’m looking forward to those savory morsels.” Her smile brightened her eyes. “And hopefully I’ll hear something about the Art Prize job, or more news from Brooke, or finally land a new client—wouldn’t that be a great birthday gift?”
“Fingers crossed.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Although I still feel a little lost not having my plan rock solid…”
“It’ll happen.”
She nodded. “I know. But at times it’s hard to keep up the hope. I don’t like having loose ends. And I really don’t like not having that extra cushion in the bank. Paycheck-to-paycheck sucks. I’m almost afraid I’ll have to take Hailey up on her offer, and I don’t think us working together would be a good thing.”
“You’ve already had some interviews, you have a few leads. I’d say for the amount of time it’s been, you’re doing damn well.” He let the door close as he turned his attention toward her fully. “The job will fall into place, making the paycheck-to-paycheck fall into line. And your family…well…”
“They’ll continue to drive me crazy. You know, after you left Friday all they could talk about was you. How handsome you are, polite, funny, blah, blah, blah.”
“They sound like they know what they’re talking about.” He grinned, flicking her chin. She grabbed his finger and bit it playfully.
“They also seem determined that you come to dinner. Grams even suggested you join us for our annual birthday dinner this Saturday.”
“I’m flattered.”
“They have you in their sights, and they’ve added your name to the list.”
“The list?”
A tinge of red crept up her neck. Her mouth begged for his attention. Hell, with the way she was working her lip, she begged for his attention. He wanted to continue to tease her, but he wanted to kiss her more. He touched his mouth to hers and smiled at the surprise in her eyes when he pulled back even after she locked her hands behind his neck to draw him in tight.
“Now what’s that you were saying about some list?” he whispered, brushing his thumb along her lower lip.
“My list. Holly’s Husband List.”
He laughed. Straight from the gut. “They have a list of potential husbands?”
“Nothing written down, but they store all info right up here.” She tapped her finger to the side of her head.
“I really like your family.” He shook his head, still chuckling.
“Yeah, and they really like you. As a matter of fact, I think you’ve earned a list of your own.” She grimaced.
He laughed again but stopped when she didn’t join in. She fastened her hands to her hips. “Unfortunately I’m not teasing, Roth.”
“I don’t need or want a list.” Confusion mixed with panic, and he stepped back.
“I’m in total agreement.” She pressed her lips together. “If I knew how to get rid of the list, I’d help. But I think we’re both stuck until they find a new victim. One who actually wants a list. But, unfortunately for you, the list is the least of your troubles.”
“The list sounds like trouble enough.”
She scrunched her nose. “I’m kind of nervous to tell you.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and backed her up against the wall, boxing her in. “Holly…” He bumped her nose with his, and then brushed his mouth against her softly. “Do you like when I kiss you?”
“Hmm.” She snaked her hands across his chest. Before she could get any higher, he grabbed her wrists and forced her arms against the wall over her head. “Ooh. I might like where this is leading.”
“If you ever want to feel these lips against yours again, you’ll tell me.” He swept his mouth over hers so lightly their lips barely touched.
She pushed toward him, and when her lips were a hairbreadth from his, he turned to the side. “Nope.”
“Not fair,” she pouted, but the sides of her mouth twitched with humor.
“All is fair, bud.” He had no problem using her words from the other night against her.
“Let’s just say my family now believes Hot Neighbor Guy isn’t interested in women.” She bit her lip to stop from smiling, and he dropped her arms.
He nodded slowly, regarding her without blinking, enjoying the slight discomfort spreading across her face as her smile disappeared and he dropped his arms to his sides.
“You’re mad.”
“I thought you said you like my lips on yours?”
She nodded. “You know I do.”
“And don’t you like my meatballs in your mouth?”
“How come that sounds dirty?” Her laughter sounded guilty and naughty. She cleared her throat, touching her finger to his lips. “Why? Are you trying to tell me that not only will you never touch your amazing lips to mine, but you’ll refuse to make me your famous meatball dinner for my birthday?”
“Why should I when you’re spreading rumors?”
“I wasn’t the one who brought up the subject. I kept trying to beat it into their brains that you and I are only friends, and Grams got it into her head that you’re gay.”
“And you couldn’t correct them?” He traced her lips with his finger, relishing the way her eyes darkened, her lips parted, and her chest strained against her pink tee.
“Believe me, I tried.” Her breathy voice turned him on. He loved teasing her. Loved her reaction more.
“You must not have tried hard enough,” he said as he leaned in and flicked his tongue over her earlobe.
She shivered and licked her lips. “They decided they’re going to find you the perfect partner, and they tuned me out.” She swallowed hard. “Mom is already trying to think of the perfect someone for you, and I don’t think she cares if it’s a man or a woman. She has tunnel vision when it comes to matchmaking—”
“I’m not interested.”
“I know. I’m just giving you a heads-up in case—”
“In case she shows up on my doorstep with a prospective date?” He boxed her in again, holding her hostage against the wall with his arms on either side of her head.
“Give me a break. She’s never even gone that far with me. I just didn’t want you to be surprised if she says something the next time you meet.” Holly ducked down and stepped out from beneath his arms. “Anyway, I gotta hit the shower.”
“Do you need company?”
“Normally I’d be all over that.” She let her gaze walk up his length from his toes to his eyes. “But I have a phone interview in about an hour, so
I can’t be distracted. Rain check?”
“Definitely. I have to head to the store anyway so that I can get my meatball supplies. Even though I should teach you a lesson and buy frozen.”
She threw her hand over her chest. “Never frozen. I tried to tell them. Seriously. But I warned you how they are.”
He grinned, thumping his chest. “Good thing I’m comfortable with my sexuality.”
“I’d have to say I agree.”
“And I doubt your mom will go to any extremes to set me up on a date. So they can think what they will.”
“I gotta hand it to you, Roth. I didn’t think you’d take it this well.”
He shrugged. “I’m not worried about what other people think of me. It only matters what I think of myself. Anyway, Thursday is Holly’s birthday extravaganza and that includes meatballs, movies…and maybe something more.”
She turned an adorable shade of pink. “Twenty-six is going to be my year.”
He kissed her full on the lips, and she sighed as she settled her backside against the wall. The cutest smile teasing her lips, her eyes big and dreamy.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Like I told you before, you make me feel beautiful.”
Roth stepped from the shower and rubbed a towel through his hair as he walked to his bedroom. He and Holly had a good workout. He enjoyed spending time with her, although lately he’d not only become addicted to her company but also their great sex. She was the first thing he thought about when he woke up and the last thing before he drifted off each night. When they were together he couldn’t help but touch her, kiss her, taste her. And when they were apart he couldn’t help but think about touching her, kissing her, tasting her.
He liked that feeling of excitement—the adrenaline pumping through him when he knew he’d see her or talk to her, but at the same time all that emotion scared him.
Their friendship had changed, and it was changing him and the way he looked at her. Confusion bunched the muscles along his neck, and he rubbed his hand briskly across the knots.
Part of him didn’t want to go out of town next week and leave Holly behind, but another part of him needed the distance to think. He couldn’t seem to do that when she was around—at least with any clarity.
A Friendly Arrangement Page 15