The Holly Dates

by Brittainy C. Cherry

Mano was always on a mission to get Holly to snort. When I heard it from across the restaurant, I couldn’t help but smile. Holly and her laughs felt like medicine to my soul, and I didn’t even know my soul felt sick.

Wow, he is down bad

Crap. I was officially smitten with a woman I’d set up with another man.

Jesus Christ, finally!

He patted me on the back. “My condolences, Kai.” “Your condolences? What for? No one died.” “Your shot at getting Holly just did. I know how much you like her, but dang, he’s pretty.”

Mano is so funny

That woman was so easily amused, and I loved that fact about her. I loved a lot of facts about her.

We are kindred spirits for real

“Don’t do that, Holly,” I whispered, lacing my hands together in my lap. “Don’t do what?” “Read the parts of my book that I don’t share with people.” “It’s a good book, Kai. I wish you’d let me read it all.”

Stop! Eyes are watering

The smile on her face was annoying because it was for someone other than me. I now understood why they called them crushes—because they crushed your soul repeatedly.

This dude, I don't know what else to say

“You know what, Kai? I think I was wrong about Matthew. Maybe you still have a shot at this thing because I catch Holly sometimes when you’re not looking.” “Catch her what?” “Looking at you.”

Progress!

Oh. Crap. I liked her. I liked her so much that it scared me a little.

*wheeze*

Instead, I approached Holly and wrapped her in a hug. She hugged me back, and the last thing I wanted was to let her go. “Thank you for coming over,” I whispered. “You don’t have to do things alone anymore. I’m just one floor up.”

My heart!

“What are you doing here, Penelope?”

No cap, I thought she died

I wanted to shout. I wanted to cuss Penelope out and snap in anger. Then I looked at her lying beside me. Her body was so small. Her body was so exhausted. She was fighting for her life, and I couldn’t bring myself to lash out.

You lucky you are actively fighting cancer

“Maybe one day it can be our Cheers.”

Umm, slow your roll

Instead, he said, “You’d be a complete idiot to sleep with that man when he doesn’t like you. Then again, it would be on par with your past choices in life.”

WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT??

“What did he do?” Mano asked, alert. His nose flared as his anger began to build. “Nothing. It’s fine. We just got into a little argument.” “He hurt your feelings?”

Mano, my sweet boy!

I wanted to hate him that evening, but my heart wouldn’t allow it. All I cared about was making sure he was all right.

She's too precious for this world

“Listen, what happened between Holly and me is none of your—” “She was crying, Kai,” he cut in. His words felt like a sucker punch to my gut. “What?” “She was crying when I ran into her. You hurt her feelings, but do you know what she said? She said, please check on your brother to make sure Kai is okay. As you hurt her, she was still concerned about you.”

She's too good for you!

Mano wasn’t pulling any punches, either. He continued his rant. “She freaking left her own family so you wouldn’t be alone on Thanksgiving, you jerk! And you made her cry!”

Let him have it Mano!

But what I hated most was knowing that Holly cried because of me.

As you should, NOW GO FIX IT!

She parted her lips to speak, but instead of words, she leaped toward me. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. I breathed her in as I hugged her back. “I’m sorry I made you cry,” I whispered as I rested my chin on her head.

I'm ready for Matthew to get out of the picture

Why was I the only one still drinking?

Get the fuck out of there!

But I’ve dropped a shit ton of money on you to get us to this point. I’ve listened to your pointless conversations about squirrels. I’d paid for your taxis. The least you could do is put out this far into this thing.”

You dirty bitch

Watching her heart break made my own begin to shatter.

I'm crying

As she began to swing one more time, I grabbed her forearms and pulled her into my chest. I held her tight against me as she gripped my T-shirt and cried into me.

They are really flowing right now

How dare he treat my Holly like that. My Holly.

Your Holly??

Her brown eyes looked at me, and flakes of honey gold streamed through them. Holly had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. She had the most beautiful everything I’d ever seen, but her eyes…those felt special.

Don't get me crying again

I stared at Kai’s bio, completely stunned at the words. Just looking for Holly.

Excuse me??

Well, I already know your quirks, and I love them.

My heart!

I pounded against Kai’s apartment door, and when he answered, I leaped into his arms. “Yes!” I blurted out. “I would love for you to be my holiday date.” At first, he seemed confused by the bum-rushed hug, but he held me back, pulling me into his chest, and said, “Cool.”

*screaming*

I stared blankly at my brother, completely baffled by him. “You went on those apps, swiped as me, and told Holly I would spend the holidays with her?” “Yup.” “Are you insane?!”

Mano my man!

If Holly were going to fall into my arms, I would hold her close to me no matter what.

Aww!

I was okay with being her real boyfriend, but that was neither here nor there.

Lol

As her eyes darted across the menu of six cocktails, I watched her stare glass over. “They are all named after characters from my books.”

IF HE WANTED TO, HE WOULD!

“That’s true, you are, but I will say it regardless. You’re my favorite author.”

I'm gonna pass out

Her eyes moved to the bottom of the list. “The Holly?” Her cheeks rose. “Named after me?” “Named after you.” I pulled out two glasses and began creating The Holly for us both. “Blackberry jam, prosecco, vodka, rosemary, and a splash of lime. It’s sweet, strong, and a bit sassy, adding character to everyone who encounters it. Like you.”

When will it be my turn??

“I would call you my best friend, but I don’t believe in best friends anymore.” “Why’s that?” “Because they’re bitches,” she drunkenly slurred.

I'm wheezing but she's right

I cut her off. I pulled her body toward mine and placed my lips against hers. I figured the more we spoke about it, the more awkward and uncomfortable it would’ve become, so I dived in. I kissed her long and gently, my mouth resting against hers as if it always belonged there. Then she kissed me back. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into her.

YES!!!!!!!!!!

“Awesome. Maybe once more to get any kinks out?”

Holly please *chuckling*

If we were looking into kinks, I would’ve rather taken her to my bedroom to perform my favorites,

Would you like to share with the class??

Yes!!!!!! More!!

“I need to leave. Maybe just one more kiss for the road to make sure we have it locked in?” “Sure, do you want—” Before I could finish my sentence, Holly leaped toward me, jumping into my arms.

HOLLY, DOWN GIRL

I caught her and held her up as she began kissing me.

I am loving this

Her mouth fell to my earlobe, which sent shivers down my spine. “Holly, if you do that, I’ll want to…” I growled slightly against her neck. “Geez, Holly, don’t do that. I like that too much.” She pulled back. “That’s your spot?” I nodded, excitement still coursing through my system. “That’s my spot.”

Is it hot in here??

I was sure she could feel how much that small suck to my ear thrilled me based on how my throbbing cock was trying to escape from my pants as her legs wrapped around me.

I'm getting a thrill down my spine

“Do you have a bedroom?” she questioned, combing her hair behind her ear.

Oh she wanna fu...

Holly leaned in and sucked on my ear again before whispering, “Show me your bedroom.” Fuck me.

Yeah, she wanna fu...

I scrabbled and reached over to my nightstand. I grabbed a condom and rolled it onto myself before moving back to Holly.

I legit don't remember the last book I read and the main characters used protection…what does that say about me lol

“I like that,” I said, brushing my mouth against her ear. “I like when you beg for it.”

I'm gonna faint

She pulled me in and gently sucked my earlobe. “Come for me,” she demanded, and that was enough to push me the extra mile. Her wish was my command.

Oh WOW

She was much more bashful now as if she wasn’t commanding me to get off just minutes ago.

That's what I'm saying! I didn't know she had it in her

It was the same freaking Matthew I’d spent the past two months with. The same Matthew who wined and dined me. The same Matthew who showed his true colors to me and disappeared completely from my life after I wouldn’t hook up with him.

Oh hell no!