The Relationship Pact(64)

Coy nods his head in agreement. “I’m gonna go get a beer and find my mom. She’ll have my ass if I come home and don’t watch the ball with her.” He gets to his feet. “I’m not joking, Hollis—we need to have a writing session soon.”

“Yeah. Anytime,” he says as if he’s in disbelief.

Coy flashes me a smile before he disappears around the corner.

“So,” I say, sitting next to him on the piano bench. “Sounds like you’ve had a productive night.”

He laughs, running a hand down his face. “I can’t believe I just helped Kelvin McCoy write a song. I mean, we didn’t finish it, but he actually took my fucking suggestions.”

“Because you’re talented.”

He snorts. “I think he must be drunk.”

“Hollis,” I say. “Stop. You never give yourself any credit.”

“It’s just … hard to believe.”

“Why? Why is it any harder to believe that you could help Coy than some random dude in Los Angeles?”

He watches me carefully, the shine of the moment still there. “Because I’m me. I don’t know what I’m doing, Riss. I just gave him my opinion.”

“So it comes more naturally to you. It’s awesome. Another hidden talent you can use for the next ambush question-and-answer session,” I joke.

He laughs, pulling me into his side. He kisses the top of my head.

“I like this with you,” he says softly. “Do you think that’s okay?”

“I think that’s very okay. That makes me happy.”

He kisses my head again. This time, I feel his smile pressed against it too.

“You know that it’s okay to have hope, right?” I ask him. “It’s okay to want to have things … and people … in your life.”

I say it gently because I don’t want to startle him and make him retreat behind his shield. This vulnerable side of him—or the fact that he’s allowing himself to show it—is new. And I don’t think he’s quite sure how to manage it.

“That’s what River told me,” he says softly.

“I think I like River.”

“You would. He’s a good guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back.”

I giggle. “I’d much rather have the shirt off yours if I get to see those abs again.”

He snorts and shakes his head. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I have suggestions.”

He takes my hand and gets to his feet. I stand too.

I look up into his face. Instead of seeing a wall that’s keeping me out, I think I get a glimpse behind the curtain. His features are a little softer and his gaze not quite as severe. His touch is a little sweeter as he runs a hand down my cheek.

My breathing gets shallow as I try to remember not to hold it in.

“Things feel different when I’m with you,” he whispers. “It’s the craziest shit ever.”

“I’m glad.”

I nod, giving him a smile. I know this is hard for him to admit and I need to let him work this out on his own.

Because I’ve already worked it out. He came into my life like a whirlwind and flipped every script I had.

When I look into his eyes, I can see … a future. Together. The kind of life that Siggy and Rodney have.

There would be a lot to figure out. I know that. But I want to figure it out. There’s time to do that.

If only he wants to, too.

I force a swallow. “Do you feel it too?”

“I don’t know what I feel, beautiful. I know that being around you makes me want to get up in the morning. It makes everything funnier and more enjoyable.” He strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I know I look forward to seeing you. Naked.”

I laugh softly.

He grins too. “I don’t know … Maybe there’s something to be said for new years and new beginnings, right? Maybe?”

“Maybe.”

My heart swells in my chest. The room completely stills and all the sounds from below fade away. I just take in this guy that’s standing here with me and hope against all hope that it is a new beginning. For both of us. Together.

“Riss …” he says.

But before he can finish, Boone blasts my name from downstairs.

“Riss! Get down here!” he yells.

Hollis grins. He bends down and kisses me softly. I try to deepen it, but he pulls back and chuckles.

“Later, naughty girl. We have to get down there for the ball drop. I can’t fuck it all up now.”

I groan as he leads me to the staircase and down it.

We gather with my family in the dining room. The room is packed with bodies and air horns and confetti primed to be tossed. We tuck ourselves in a corner next to a giant aloe vera plant.

Hollis stands behind me with his arms over my shoulders. The ball begins to drop down the pole and everyone starts to cheer.

The room fills with shouts and premature horns and I take a moment breathe.

“Hey,” Hollis whispers in my ear.

I look up at him.

He smiles the sweetest, softest smile I’ve ever seen and it melts my heart.

The room bursts into the countdown.

5!

4!

3!