Dare Me(55)

“I’m Janice,” she says, holding my arms to stand back and look at me. I assume she’s giving me the motherly onceover. “Come in,” she says, hooking her arm through mine.

I shoot Holt another look and this time he laughs out loud. He knows I’m uncomfortable, and I had no idea his mother would be this outgoing. “So nice to meet you,” I greet her, trying to return her warm welcome.

We step into the foyer next to Holt, and he closes the door behind us. The house is narrow but stunning. Much like Holt’s, it is modern and contemporary but not over the top. It’s luxurious but homey. The kitchen, dining room, and a formal living room are all on the main level. There is a split staircase, which I assume leads down to the garage and up to the other levels.

“Can I get you something to drink?” She asks, leading us into the large kitchen. There are three bottles of wine in the middle of the large center island. “Dan will be joining us in just a minute.” She smiles and uncorks a bottle of white wine, pouring a glass for herself.

“I’ll take a glass of white, please.” I’m anxious to sip some alcohol and hopefully relax a little.

“Beer?” Holt asks, striding across the kitchen to the large double door refrigerator.

“Bottom shelf,” she says. “Dan has all those microbrew beers, Holt. I don’t know what they are, but there’s got to be something you’ll like.” She gives him a fond smile, then she turns to me. “So Saige, tell me about yourself.” She presses the large glass of white wine to her lips and takes a sip.

“What has Holt already told you?” I tip my head in curiosity.

“Hardly anything,” he interrupts. “I told her I was bringing my friend Saige to dinner.” He walks back over to join us around the island. “My nosy mother is reading way more into this than she should.” He shoots her a look across the island, and she laughs.

“Holt!” A boisterous man’s voice fills the air just as his presence bounds through the entrance of the kitchen. He walks over to Holt and shakes his hand before pulling him into a half hug. Saved by Dan. Thank God.

“Dan, how are ya’?” The two men catch up and not far behind Dan comes a slow-moving dog.

“This is Winston,” Janice says, leaning down to rub the short dog’s long ears.

I walk around the island over to where Janice stands. “Holt told me about Winston.” I bend down and rub under the dog’s chin. He instantly rests his long muzzle on my knee. “Hey, buddy.” I smile and rub the top of his nose.

Janice chuckles. “He’s the laziest dog alive, which is exactly why Dan loves him.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Dan hollers over his shoulder.

Holt joins all of us, fawning over this adorable basset hound. “Ladies, ladies . . . give the guy a break,” he jokes with us.

Janice stands up and smacks Holt on the arm before going over to wash her hands. “I’m going to prep dinner. Holt, why don’t you show Saige the house?”

“Excuse me,” Dan says, walking over to me. “Maybe I’d like to meet this beautiful young thing.” He grins as he pulls me into a hug, much like Janice did, and everyone laughs. “You must be Saige. Beautiful just like your name. You scored yourself a looker, Holt.” I can tell Dan is a joker and trying to make Holt uncomfortable, so I laugh along with him. “Really glad you could join us, darlin’,” he says, letting me go. Dan is tall and thin with gray hair and dark brown eyes.

Holt looks over at me and nods toward the door. I stop to top off my wine glass first and Holt shakes his head at me before we begin the grand tour.

“They’re really nice,” I tell him as he walks me through the formal living area.

“I asked them not to make it uncomfortable,” he says, starting up the narrow staircase.

“It’s fine. The wine is helping.” I hold up my wine glass in appreciation.

Holt shows me the impressive brownstone, and I’m in utter awe of its beauty. Original white crown molding stands out against the dark gray neutral walls and large window coverings accentuate the tall windows. Everything is stunning. By the time we make it back to the kitchen, Janice has dinner almost ready and Dan is waiting in the dining room. Holt sits down to the right of Dan, who is at the head of the table, Janice directly across from Holt, and I sit down next to Holt.

Janice outdid herself preparing baked salmon, asparagus, and homemade scalloped potatoes. My stomach growls as Holt heaps a generous portion of each dish on my plate. We fall into easy conversation over dinner, listening to Dan tell stories of his days as the owner of a transportation company. He owned cargo ships that transported goods back and forth across the continent, and I can tell that Holt got much of his entrepreneurial drive from Dan.

While wealthy, I’m impressed at how down to earth and normal Dan and Janice seem, and I can tell that was woven into the fabric of who Holt has become. I smile as I watch the three of them interact casually, acting lighthearted with each other. Well into the meal, my nerves have settled, and I finally take a deep breath and try to just enjoy the rest of the evening.

After everyone has finished, I help Janice clear the dinner dishes and offer to help her wash them, but she won’t hear of it.

“How did you meet Holt?” She finally asks as she scrapes leftover food into the trash.