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“I’m working on it.” Declan shrugged off her embrace, and while Holly’s own pride was stung by that small rejection, he got up off the chair, straightening his jacket with a grim expression. “I better get out of your hair so you can get ready for the blinding eyesore parade.”
Holly’s eyes narrowed. “We’re back to that now?”
“What do you mean? This is me, Holly. No ribbons or bows or holiday cheer. Your house was a job. It doesn’t change my feelings about this town or the season. No matter what my mother may have told you, I’m never going to be into all this crap.”
“And me? Are you into me, or was that kiss this morning nothing?”
Declan shrugged. “That kiss was great, but I’ve had all day to play over the scenarios in my head. What’s the point of getting involved? I’m trying to get out of here, and you’re happy in your fairy tale existence where you have an amazing, loving family and a town full of adoring citizens who drop everything to help some of their neighbors.”
“What is wrong with that? What is wrong with wanting to live somewhere like Mistletoe, where we care about each other?”
“Don’t fool yourself, Holly. They care about some people. Not everyone. This place has always been a popularity contest and you’re one of the golden few. You can’t tell me all those people showed up wanting nothing in return.”
“Maybe not, but if I’m popular, Declan, it’s because I participate in this community. I’m jumping in when the local theater troop needs an understudy, or I’m organizing a dinner chain for a new mother or grieving family. I know who my neighbors are, Declan. Do you? You’re so angry at everyone around you, but did you ever stop to think that being an outsider is on you because you never took the time to open up and let people see you?”
“People around here don’t want to see anyone who doesn’t fit into a mold. I’m a big guy. I should play sports. I hated sports and that made me a reject to people like Mr. James and even my own father to some degree. Because I preferred art to getting knocked around on a football field.”
“That’s two people, a far cry from the whole town, but that isn’t even the root of the issue. You’re icy hot. I know you want to leave town and I’m not asking for anything more than that we stop fighting and have some fun, but trying to figure out who you are under all that grumbling hostility is exhausting and even after that mind-blowing kiss I’m not sure it’s worth the effort to find out.”
Holly’s chest rose and fell rapidly with the force of her passionate monologue, but Declan’s expression hadn’t changed besides a tightening around his mouth. With a heavy, shaking breath, Holly got up from the chair. “Let me get your check.”
She went inside, racking her brain for a reason why Declan’s aloofness bothered her, especially since she wanted to have her way with him and be done. There was no long-term plan for forever, so why did it matter?
When Holly returned to the porch, Declan was gone. She shot him a text.
I guess you didn’t want to wait for your check. I’ll drop it by the store Monday.
A single thumbs up emoji and nothing more.
CHAPTER 22
Declan sat facing the bar, peeling the label off his beer bottle and scowling off into space. Holly’s explosion earlier was heavy on his mind. It was better with her back to being angry with him. Less complicated that way. After their kiss and the way the townspeople had come together to help her, he’d started feeling…something warm and close to joyous, no matter that he’d said the contrary to Holly, and he’d had to shut it down. If he started thinking there was a place for him here in Mistletoe, he’d only be disappointed when it didn’t work out.
Keeping Holly at a distance was best for both of them. She’d drop off the check, he’d avoid her, and then maybe come January he’d be leaving even if his dad didn’t decide to sell the store. And if his mom stayed with his dad, Declan would be comfortable making a move to Washington or even Colorado, something within a day’s drive that gave him better opportunities. The two of them were going to have to clear the air eventually, and he’d figure out a way to forgive Liam if only to help work through his own guilt. Coming back to Mistletoe for visits here and there, he doubted he’d even pass Holly on the street.
Of course, he couldn’t very well ignore her during Clark’s and Merry’s wedding, but he’d do his best to keep their interactions to a minimum. Unless she decided to be dramatic about their brief interlude—
“Whew, it’s a good thing we aren’t trying to attract girls ’cause Declan’s expression is downright murderous. They’d take one look and avoid super-sized Bundy like the plague.”
Declan turned his attention to Pike, who was sipping on a white blended drink with red stripes of syrup along the glass and drizzled down the peak of whipped cream on top.
“Sorry, I was thinking. Not about murder.”
“Relieved to hear it, but what about?” Pike took a long drink from his straw and swallowed, tapping his fingers on the table. “Taxes? DMV fees? Doctors asking you to turn your head and cough? That’s the look I reserve for those very uncomfortable, irritating situations I have to do but don’t want to do.”
“It’s nothing like that, man,” Declan said.
Anthony leaned back in his chair, fingers interwoven over his stomach. “It’s obviously a woman.”
“Holly?” Clark asked, a smug smile stretching across his face.
Nick groaned mid-drink of beer, setting the bottle onto the table with a thump. “Fuck me. Not my sister. Can’t I get through one year without someone falling in love with one of them?”
“Nobody else better be admitting feelings for Merry,” Clark growled, shooting Anthony and Pike a dark look.
“Not me,” Anthony and Pike said in unison, before all sets of eyes turned back to Declan.
“I’m not in love with Holly!” Declan said, and Nick’s frown deepened.
