Page 94 of Never the Same

“On a call,” Gwen answered. “They’ll meet us at the bar upstairs in fifteen. It’s not open, so it’s reserved for us. Food is being prepped for brunch.”

“We’ll see you up there.” Ryder picked up the other bags and glanced at me before he and Alex disappeared from the suite.

The door clicked shut, leaving the four of us and an elephant in the room.

“We went on a few dates back in 2021,” Easton shared quickly.

“And?” Hollis prompted.

“You sure you don’t want to just remember on your own? Your memories are bound to come back soon.”

“At this rate, I’m beginning to wonder.” Her voice broke. “Just tell me.”

I squeezed her hand, letting her know I wasn’t moving. But it was a coin toss if someone was about to get strangled to death. Hypocrite. I lightly shook my head. I know, I know.

“This is my fault. I’m sorry.” Gwen waved her hands in the air like a ref calling out a foul. “Maybe Easton is right.”

“Too late now.” Hollis stood her ground.

“Fine.” Easton pinched the bridge of his nose. “We made it to a fourth date, and then you broke it off.” He squinted, and I had to look away from him so I stopped visualizing his murder. “You said you weren’t the relationship type. You said you preferred dating jerks. They always disappointed you and cut out before anything got serious, saving you the trouble of ending things. You said I wasn’t an asshole, so that made me dangerous to your mission of staying single.”

“Annnnd that’s our cue to go.” Gwen hooked Easton’s arm and dragged him toward the door. “We’ll see you upstairs when you’re ready.”

I peeled my focus their way, and Easton shot me an apologetic look, clearly recognizing I had feelings for Hollis, and not only because we were holding hands.

The door thudded shut, and Hollis twisted around to face me. “This doesn’t change anything,” she said firmly, knowing exactly where my head was about to go. “The past won’t dictate the now. I didn’t want a relationship then, but I do now, and I choose you.” Tears built up in her eyes. “And those three kids I want to have one of these days.”

I stared at her, trying to process what she was saying, clinging to the hope her feelings wouldn’t vanish when her memories returned. All I’d have left was that RTBH folder; I’d have to rename it, too.

“I’m not your mom, you hear me?” she went on when I refused to speak. “I won’t . . . I won’t hurt you.” Her voice trembled as she dug her heels in. “I need you to trust me. To believe I feel the same as you. It’s not fake.”

She was going to break me.

Get me to shed a tear if she kept up with this and brought up my messed-up childhood that no one else knew about outside my parents, a police officer, and two CPS social workers (story for another day, or never).

She was peeling back my layers one by one, but with a machete.

Too hard. Too fast. Too real. That was the part I couldn’t deny. It was real. It had to be.

“I believe you,” I forced out, my voice raw. I leaned in, brushing my lips across hers, my mind made up. “I’ll be sure to order that fifth chair we’ll be needing for the kitchen table, then.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Hollis

The elevator doors sighed open with a light groan, releasing us into a corridor. I was trembling on the inside. It never got easier, learning pieces of my past like they were secondhand gifts no one wanted.

My sweaty palm slipped against Jason’s grip, and he gave my hand a squeeze, anchoring me back to the moment as we walked into the bar. Dark wood, amber lighting, and a wall of windows framed the Alps off in the distance.

The low murmur of voices, the clink of a glass, and muffled wind against the windows hit me as we walked in—right along with the smell of roasted meats, the tang of olives, and sweetness from baked goods.

Two men were posted up at a table near the glass, with Gwen and Easton standing by them. I wasn’t exactly itching to chat with Easton after that awkward talk we’d had in the suite. He shot me a subtle glance over his shoulder and turned away. Same boat of discomfort as me, clearly.

Ryder and Alex had also beat us here, and Alex was snacking on some of the food set out.

Jason murmured as we walked, “You okay?”

I looked up at him and nodded. “You good?” I mouthed. “Not going to take out Easton, are ya?” I did my best to lighten the mood, only partially joking.