Mistletoe Motel

6. Holly

Chapter 6

Holly

H olly glanced at the clock and was surprised to see how late it had gotten. They’d talked about their lives and their jobs. Mack had enthusiastically described her work as a software engineer, explaining her current project developing an AI-driven personal assistant app. In turn, Holly shared about her career as a corporate lawyer, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. She told Mack about her recent trip to Seattle, where she’d been negotiating a complex deal between a local start-up and a major tech company. They’d both been surprised to discover the overlap in their professional worlds, with Holly often working with tech companies and Mack’s company potentially being the kind that Holly might represent in the future. The conversation had flowed easily, and they’d lost track of time as they shared stories of challenging projects and workplace anecdotes.

“We should probably try to get some sleep,” she suggested reluctantly. “I want to get up early to check on available flights or rental cars, even though there’s only a slim chance we’ll get lucky.” She was enjoying herself and didn’t really want the night to end, but at the same time, she felt the weight of the day catching up with her.

Mack stifled a yawn. “You’re right. I’m tired too. We could always rent a car together? It’s quite a distance, it would help to share the driving.”

“Yeah, I’m up for that.” Holly liked Mack’s sleepwear—a pair of soft-looking sweatpants and a form-fitting tank top, and she found it hard to keep her eyes off her toned arms, the muscles shifting subtly as she got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

Holly hesitated for a moment before following Mack into the bathroom. The small space felt even more cramped with both of them in it, and she was acutely aware of their proximity. She reached for her toothbrush, her hand brushing against Mack’s arm in the process. Focusing on the task at hand, she tried to ignore the way her heart raced every time Mack’s elbow bumped against hers. She was usually so composed, so in control of her emotions, but something about Mack threw her off balance in a way that was both terrifying and exhilarating.

How had this woman, who she’d been ready to throttle at the airport, become someone she wanted to be close to? Holly shook her head, trying to clear it. It was unlikely they’d ever see each other again after they returned home, so it wasn’t worth breaking her head over.

“Don’t forget to floss,” Mack mumbled through a mouthful of toothpaste. She winked, meeting Holly’s eyes in the mirror, and it brought a flutter to Holly’s core. There had been a shift in the atmosphere. Their earlier confessions of finding each other “objectively” attractive hung in the air between them, creating a new tension, and she felt self-conscious, hyperaware of every movement she made.

She studied Mack’s face, noticing details she hadn’t before. The way Mack’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the small scar just above her left eyebrow, the splash of freckles across her nose that were barely visible unless you were looking closely. Mack’s teal hair was messy now, giving her an endearing, tousled look.

Just hours ago, she’d been yelling at Mack, and now she found herself desperately wanting Mack to like her. It was a strange sensation, this sudden desire for approval.

After they finished up in the bathroom, Mack paused at the foot of the bed. “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want me to sleep on the floor? I really don’t mind,” she offered again.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. We’ll manage just fine in the bed.”

“All right, if you’re sure. Just promise to tell me if I start snoring or hogging the blankets.” They moved around the room, extinguishing the candles one by one. As the last flame flickered out, darkness enveloped them, broken only by the faint glow of the lights outside, filtering through the thin curtains.

When they settled into bed, Holly was acutely aware of Mack’s presence beside her. The bed, which had seemed small earlier, now felt impossibly tiny. She could feel the heat radiating from Mack’s body, hear the soft sound of her breathing. Holly lay still, trying to regulate her own breaths, feeling as though every small movement was magnified in the darkness.

The mattress, worn from years of use, dipped noticeably in the middle, creating a subtle slope that threatened to draw them toward the center. She’d noticed it sitting up before, but now it was so much harder to stay on her own side. She tensed her muscles, trying to maintain her position on the edge of the bed, fighting against the pull of gravity.

After a few minutes of silent struggle, Mack’s voice broke through the darkness, tinged with amusement. “I’m starting to think this bed is conspiring against us,” she said dryly. “It’s like trying to stay on a hill without rolling down.”

Holly chuckled, relieved that she wasn’t the only one struggling. “I was just thinking the same thing. This bed is basically a relationship accelerator.”

“Well…” Mack’s voice was softer now. “I suppose there are worse things than ending up in the middle. At least we won’t fall off the edges.”

Holly’s heart rate picked up at the implication. She took a deep breath, deciding to let go of her resistance. “You’re right. It’s probably easier to just go with it.”

Slowly, they both allowed themselves to slide toward the center of the bed. Their backs met in the middle. Holly’s skin tingled everywhere where they touched—the press of Mack’s shoulder blades against hers, the slight contact of their hips, the way their legs just barely brushed against each other.

“Are you comfortable?” Mack whispered.

“Yeah.” Holly’s mind began to wander, unbidden fantasies creeping into her thoughts. She imagined Mack turning around, facing her, and in her mind, she could almost feel Mack’s lips on hers, soft and insistent. The imaginary kiss deepened, and Holly felt a rush of heat course through her body.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the thoughts but failed. The attraction she felt was undeniable, and if she were ever going to have a one-night stand, this would be the perfect opportunity. They were already in bed together, unlikely to ever see each other again after tomorrow. The attraction was mutual; Mack had admitted as much earlier.

But what if Mack for whatever reason rejected her advances? The thought of facing her tomorrow after an awkward encounter was enough to keep her paralyzed with indecision, as she lay there, hyperaware of Mack’s every movement.

All Holly had worried about lately was her parents, waiting for her in Minneapolis. The reconciliation she hoped for, the conversations that needed to be had. There was none of that going through her head anymore and instead she was entertaining thoughts that would surely shock her conservative family.

The irony wasn’t lost on her. Had the universe thrown this curveball her way? Part of her wondered if this was some sort of test of her resolve, or maybe just her self-control.

Mack’s breathing deepened into the steady rhythm of sleep, but Holly was unable to drift off. Despite the wine and the long, exhausting day, her mind refused to settle. Every small sound seemed amplified—the creak of the bed, the rustle of the covers, the distant howl of the wind outside.

Mack shifted and turned around in her sleep, and Holly felt the warmth of her body as she moved closer. Without warning, her arm slid around Holly’s waist, and she snuggled up against her back.

At first, Holly stiffened, her mind racing with thoughts. Did Mack mean to do that? Was she just pretending to be asleep? Should she move away? But as Mack’s warmth seeped through the thin fabric of her shirt, Holly finally relaxed into the embrace. It was so long since she had been held like this, so long since she’d felt this kind of closeness. She allowed herself to sink into the moment, savoring the feel of Mack’s arm around her, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the soft brush of Mack’s breath against her neck.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges—the struggle to get home, the uncertainty of what this meant. But for now, in this unlikely sanctuary they’d found in a shabby motel room, Holly finally allowed herself to simply be. She drifted into dreams filled with teal hair, soft touches, and the lingering warmth of a kiss she had yet to experience.