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“What’s wrong?” I jump in my chair, my eyes lifting to find Holt leaning into the wall at the mouth of the hall.

“It’s nothing.”

“Faye.” When he says my name like that, I find it difficult to deny him what he wants.

“Owen has a soccer game in Creekwood Valley.”

The town is about a thirty-minute drive from Rubble Ridge. Where half of Rubble Ridge may as well have been built into the mountains that spring up from the land, Creekwood Valley is nestled into a bowl of the Rockies. But it’s a beautiful town with great people. I have a close friend there that I met through a build we did on their property for his parents to be closer to their kids.

Hayden, Adeline and Colt’s son, is Owen’s age. I’m pretty sure Owen will be playing Hayden tonight.

“And that’s bad why?” Holt pushes off the wall to move closer. Like it always does, my heart begins a leaping dance in my chest.

At least there’s nothing sweet he can plunder from my lips this time.

The thought shocks pink into my cheeks. I clear my throat.

“Mabel has her first dance class tonight. I can’t miss it, but games are important to Owen.” I sigh as I drop back into my chair. “My mom was supposed to take Owen, but her appointment in the city ran long. She won’t be back in time. I can’t ask Dad because he has a tour. Andy lives in the city and Shy has kids of her own and…”

Holt cuts me off. “I’ll take him.”

I blink at him. I don’t know why I’m shocked—but I am. Deeply.

“You’ll take him?”

“Sure. I’ve got nothing else to do.”

I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something in his face that has my eyes narrowing as they roam his expression to decode whatever it is. I fail and huff a resigned sigh.

“Are you sure?” I wince at the question, because I don’t want him to not be sure. I need help and he’s offering. Still…it’s Holt.

“Yeah.”

I smile a relieved smile. His eyes drop to drink it in. Like always, I ignore the flames that burn under my skin.

“Thank you, Holt. It’s going to mean the world to Owen.” Pain pinches my heart. I add, “It means the world to me.”

Holt’s jaw is hard as he gives me a single, firm nod. “What time am I picking him up?”

“From school…?” I hedge hopefully.

Holt chuckles as he shakes his head. “He’s got everything he needs?”

“I’ve got it all in my car.”

“I’ll drop him off at home after the game.”

“I have chili in the crock pot.” My face flares even hotter. Seriously, I don’t know why I respond like this to the man. It’s ridiculous. He’s seen me naked—and recently. Not that I was lucid, but still. I’m pretty sure it happened, unless I got myself out of my bra and undies and between the sheets of my bed all by my sick self. It wouldn’t be that far-fetched considering the way I tend to strip down when I’m ill. Still. I can’t make myself ask about it, though, and he hasn’t mentioned it.

I blabber, “I mean, if you want to stay for dinner. You don’t have to, of course.”

He cracks a smile. My heart quickens.

The man is so damn handsome.

I hate it.

I hate that I feel guilty for feeling the things I feel.