Park Avenue Player(77)

Hollis nodded. “She sounds amazing, and wise.”

“She is.” I sighed. “Anyway, I promised her I would try, that I would fight for love if I ever experienced it, that I wouldn’t run the other way if things got tough.”

It hit me in that moment that what I needed from Hollis was exactly what Bree wanted from me. “I need you to make me that same promise—that you won’t run if things get difficult, that you will fight for us. If you can’t do that, I can’t be with you. I can’t handle the back and forth. You’re not the only one with abandonment issues. I feel like I’m always holding my breath for the other shoe to drop. And the fucked-up thing is, that feeling gets stronger when things are going well between us. Thus far you’ve proven my fears are warranted. I just…want to be able to exhale.”

He looked truly pained. “I’m sorry I’ve let my issues ruin the best thing that’s happened to me in a very long time. I understand why you’re not able to trust what I’m saying right now. My word means nothing. I get that. It’s actions that count.”

He pointed to his chest. “But if you could see inside of me right now, you would know there is no doubt left, no more hesitation. I’m ready to do this, Elodie. But proving that is going to have to happen day by day. And I’m up for the challenge. In fact, it starts now.”

“What exactly are you starting?”

He looked at me with an intensity I’d never witnessed in him before. “Being the man you deserve.”





Chapter 35




* * *





Hollis




I wasn’t leaving her tonight unless she insisted I go.

“Why don’t you go have that bath you were trying to take before I got here?”

“Are you leaving?”

“No. Not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you get out.”

She pondered a moment. “Okay. I’ll try not to take too long. Help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

After Elodie disappeared into the bathroom, I noticed she had a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Rolling up my sleeves, I turned on the water and began washing. When I’d finished, I grabbed a broom and swept. After that, I grabbed her Swiffer and mopped the floor. When that was done, I wiped down the counters. I took all my nervous energy out on the kitchen.

Not to mention, it was about damn time I’d helped her with something. This woman spent every day taking care of Hailey—and me. I wanted to take care of her tonight, show her just how much I cared about her. And not just tonight, but every night.

It must have been at least forty-five minutes before Elodie emerged from the bathroom. She wore a long T-shirt under her robe, and her legs were bare. Her damp hair cascaded down her shoulders.

She looked around at the sparkling kitchen. “You cleaned?”

I threw the towel I was holding over my shoulder. “Yeah.”

Her skin reddened. She actually seemed a bit embarrassed.

“I’m not normally such a slob. I got home from the city too late before we had to leave for the lake. That’s the only reason the dishes were—”

“Whoa. Hang on, I wasn’t thinking that at all. I was just trying to help. In fact, the whole time you were in there, all I’ve been able to think about is that it’s about damn time I did something for you for a change.”

“Well, thank you.”

She smelled so damn good, like coconut and vanilla. It must have been her shampoo.

I placed my hand on her cheek. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I feel better. That bath definitely helped me decompress. I did a lot of thinking in there, too.”

“About?”

“About this past weekend and about you.”

There was something I had to know. “Did your ex try anything on you up there?”

She blew out a breath. “He tried to reel me back in a bit, take advantage of my vulnerability. But it didn’t work. He told me the only reason he cheated on me was because he’s a sex addict. Can you believe that? I’m not buying his crock of shit, but it did get me thinking about you.”

My stomach sank. “Please don’t tell me you think I would ever do that to you.”

“No, actually. You’ve been with a lot of women, but you’re not a cheater, and you were always open about your intentions. I truly believe you’re a different kind of person than he is. You’re a better person—more afraid to be hurt than capable of hurting someone else. You’re more worthy of a second chance than he could ever be.” She sighed. “I can’t say no to you, Hollis. Because your reasons for being cautious are actually honorable.” She paused. “We need to try—for real this time.”

I responded by taking her hand and placing it on my heart. “Feel that. I’ve been worried you’d already written me off for being an asshole. I promise you won’t be sorry.”

My happiness was quickly curtailed when she said, “I don’t think you should spend the night, though.”

I couldn’t say it didn’t disappoint me. But I had to respect her wishes.

“Okay, baby. That’s alright.”

“I think I’m just going to go to sleep, if you don’t mind.”