Merry Little Hate Notes

Chapter Ten

brANDON

I STARED AT HOLLY FROM across the restaurant table in amazement, watching her eloquently chat with Blake Vanderbilt about what Elevate had to offer Artemis in such a natural way that no outside observer would have guessed this was a business lunch. It was more like two old friends catching up while they ignored the man at the table. I figured it would go down this way. Not only was Holly upset with me, but Artemis’s culture was female focused. And it didn’t hurt that Holly had led an interesting life that almost anyone would find fascinating. Her father, Dr. Harry, as I’d always called him, ensured his children were well traveled and knowledgeable. Holly and Christian had been to dig sites in places like Greece and Peru.

When the course of the conversation shifted to the Asian influence in Artemis’s clothing design, Holly masterfully interjected her own personal touch by recounting her trip to the Great Wall of China when she was thirteen, after watching her father lecture at several universities across Asia. The pride in her voice when speaking about her father was apparent. It didn’t appear she thought any less of him despite what he had put her through. It spoke to what a good person Holly is.

“Which sections of the wall did you visit?” Blake asked in her sultry alto voice. It matched her vibe that played between cabaret singer and Wall Street mogul. If I had to guess, she had purposely invented that persona to keep people on their toes. Mission accomplished. She was, by every beauty standard, gorgeous, with her long auburn tresses and killer body. But she didn’t hold a candle, in my opinion, to Holly. I would take genuine, quiet beauty any day of the week over the in-your-face kind Blake exuded.

“The wild sections. Simatai and Jiankou.” Holly smiled while reaching for her glass of lemon water.

“You are an adventurer.” Blake grinned while sweeping her hair off her shoulder like she practiced it in the mirror several times a day.

Holly took a sip of her water. “Used to be,” she said with a slight edge to her voice that only I picked up on.

I knew she was probably panicking inside, thinking about the prospect of driving back to Denver in the storm raging outside. I’d never seen Holly as scared as I had during our drive up here. Admittedly, it had been no joyride. The roads were slick, and it was slow going. Even I had my concerns. We’d barely made it in time for our lunch appointment at the restaurant at the resort where Blake was staying. Worse, Holly ignored me after we recorded our ridiculous song to send to Camille, all the while wringing her hands and trying to act as if she weren’t scared out of her mind.

I thought apologizing and telling her I didn’t hate her might open the door to the actual conversation I wanted to have with her, or at the very least, she would allow me to comfort her. That was a huge mistake—Holly bolted that door shut. My mother was going to be so pleased to learn I really did have no idea what I was doing when it came to Holly. It gutted me to see what life had done to her, especially knowing I played a role in it.

For her sake, I would do everything in my power to see this deal closed before the end of the year. Then she could live out her Monica Geller dream. I’d happily volunteer to move in across the hall from her, but at this rate it would be a miracle if she ever spoke to me again. The thought killed me.

Blake took a moment to study Holly before pointing at her. “I still see an adventurer in you. I have a feeling the world is waiting for you to take it by storm.”

Without a doubt, I 100 percent agreed with Blake’s assessment of Holly. If she only knew the girl I had watched take down vicious stuffed animal criminals, Blake would truly know what the world had in store for it.

Holly smiled with a devious glint in her eye, reminding me very much of the Holly I grew up with. “Well, if you sign with Elevate, I’ll be one step closer to conquering the world.”

Blake laughed. “Oh, I like you, Holly. You have spirit. Perhaps I need to steal you away from Elevate.” She looked down her nose at me, waiting for me to contradict her.

“We like competition at Elevate,” I responded nonchalantly, knowing she was a woman who liked a challenge. And she would find it offensive if a man claimed any stake on Holly, even if it was only professionally. Not that I believed any person was an object to lay hold upon, man or woman.

“Huh. You surprise me, Brandon. And I’m not easily surprised. I like it.” She gave me a once-over like it was the first time she’d noticed me sitting at the table. “Perhaps Elevate is the right company for our HR software needs.”

“We are,” Holly stated matter-of-factly.

For never having worked with clients at this level, Holly was a pro. It made me wonder why she refused every promotion Dad had offered her. What had happened to Holly? I desperately wanted to find out, but I feared my shot with her was long gone.

Blake drummed her long nails on the table and thought for a moment before announcing, “Send me the contract. I’ll have my legal team look it over and get back to you.”

Holly’s beautiful eyes lit up, but she maintained her professionalism and did the exact right thing by saying, “I’ll have Brandon send it over as soon as we get back to the office.” It showed she wasn’t overeager and that neither I nor Elevate considered her a subordinate. That would be a no go for Blake.

“I think we have completed our work here,” Blake said as she pushed back in her chair. “It’s time for me to get back to my vacation. Holly, let’s keep in touch. I’m always looking for new talent.” She flashed me a glance as an afterthought. “Brandon, I’ll look for your email.”

As soon as Blake stood, Holly and I followed her lead.

Holly reached across the table to shake Blake’s hand. “It was so nice to meet you. I’ll be sure to send you a copy of my dad’s book about his anthropological perspective on art throughout time.”

“Thank you. I look forward to it.” Blake reciprocated the handshake before dashing off without even a goodbye to either of us.

That left Holly and me standing there staring at each other. Holly beamed like she wanted to burst from excitement, but I could still see the hurt in her eyes when she looked at me.

“Holly, you were amazing. This deal is going to close because of you.”

She took a break from hating me and bit her lip. “You think so?”

“As long as our legal teams agree, absolutely. Should I start calling you Monica now or later?” I teased her, hoping she would forget to hate me.

No such luck. Her face fell. “I should have never told you that.” She shut her laptop and grabbed its case.

Where was my wingman when I needed her? I’d even take her popping in with an ugly Christmas sweater or some sticky notes.

I opened my mouth to say something that would undoubtedly make my situation with Holly worse when our server appeared with the bill. He handed it to me, probably saving me from myself. “Thanks for coming in. Be careful out there. I hope you don’t have to go far. I just heard they closed I-70 from Glenwood Springs to Vail because of several accidents.”

Holly’s head snapped up. “It’s closed? For how long?”

Our server shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

Holly sank into her chair, blowing out enough air to make her bangs ruffle.

I took the seat next to her and took her hand without thinking. Instinctively, I intertwined my fingers with hers as if they belonged together. My thumb slid across her silky skin while I gazed in awe at her for not instinctively pulling away. Her wide eyes said I’d stunned her. My gentle grip tightened, silently begging her to not let go. To give me a chance to explain why I’d made her believe all these years I wanted nothing to do with her.

“It’s going to be okay,” I assured her. “I have a buddy in town who owns an Airbnb. I’ll call him and see if his condo is an option. If not, we’ll see if any of the nearby hotels have rooms available.”

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes. Or even a toothbrush.” Her free hand flew to her mouth, and it was then she realized I was holding her other one. She gaped at our clasped hands, horror written in her features. “I’m not falling for this again.” She wrenched her hand out of mine.

“Falling for what?”

“Oh, you know.”

“I think you’d better fill me in.” I had an idea, but I’d made so many mistakes with her, I thought it was best to clarify before I proceeded.

She turned and put her hands up in front of her, warning me to keep my distance. “We’re not getting into this. And I’m certainly not spending the night with you.”

“Why? What are you afraid might happen?” I smirked, thinking of all the possibilities.

“Uh ...” She blushed. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” she stammered.

“Then what are you worried about? Would you rather take your chances driving back in the snowstorm or spending the night with me?”

“I’ll take door number three.”

“Sorry. There are only two doors, and each one leads to me.”

“Ugh,” she groaned. “You are Satan.”

“You’ve called me worse.” I grinned while grabbing my phone, thanking my lucky stars Mother Nature had thrown a guy a bone.

Holly rubbed her hands over her face. “This is a nightmare.”

Funny. I was thinking this was more like a dream come true.