Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“You can afford the ride?” our cabbie asks, looking nervous as we stop at a set of lights.
Holly does some math and tells him to drop us off what I figure must be a few blocks from her place, but it turns out to be a little further than that.
I don’t really mind. Any time with her is worth more than money right now.
If she was following me, maybe she already knew who I was. But if she did, she would know my name, right?
I ask her point blank, but only get the same rigid and embarrassed look from her as we walk together.
I’m still leaning on her pretty heavily. But it’s fluctuating between a need to have her help me stand and a more pressing need to feel myself inside her.
“Not far now,” she says, forcing cheerfulness as we both pant and huff a little.
Her because of me leaning on her, and me because I’m so close to her. My leaning on her gets a bit trickier as the street develops a steep incline.
“Y’know, you deserve better than living on this side of town,” I tell her, torn between wanting to flatter her and telling her that I don’t want any of this to end.
Spoiling the moment with the truth instead.
I can’t help but say what I feel when I look around and then look at her.
She looks hurt when I say it. “Not all of us have a wallet stacked with cash,” she reminds me with a little scorn in her voice.
“Tell me about it!” I announce suddenly, trying to lighten the mood as I remember one thing – I did lose a wallet stuffed with cash.
But it’s too late for either humor or getting that back now.
We both know she deserves better, and I’m sure if she could, she would live someplace a lot nicer.
I feel like explaining myself better. I want to tell her that I’m not judging her by where she lives and that maybe I could help.
Somehow.
If I knew who I was, that is.
I have another spinning moment and make an involuntary sound as I tell her the best I can.
“Whatever happens, Holly, we’re a team now. Right?” I ask her.
More like trying to tell her, but it comes out weird because I’m also trying to stay conscious and failing badly again.
“You’re gonna be fine,” she says consolingly, pointing a few buildings ahead. “See? Almost there,” she adds, pulling her lips into a smile.
The spots in front of my eyes dance and swirl, getting bigger than smaller as I struggle to keep her in focus.
Somehow we both make it not just to the building but then up four flights of stairs to boot.
Broken elevator.
She’s red in the face from helping me by the time we get to her door, but I sense she’s still embarrassed.
About living here, and about me being this close to her.
I guess it’s fair to say that by now, she’s become aware of a certain other type of swelling I’ve developed since my tumble.
And it’s all because of her. All for her.
At least, that’s how I feel.
That’s what I want.
But who am I to say?
Who am I anyway?
“Just tell me we’re a team,” I say again, a little firmer this time as I try to focus, knowing as soon as she opens the door, I’m gonna fucking collapse.
She hesitates, but feeling the pressure of my gaze, the need for her in my voice, maybe, she yields.
“Okay. We’re a team. But we need to get you…,” she starts, unlocking her front door before my prediction comes true.
I manage to stagger a few steps to what could be a couch, but it’s made up like a bed, and falling face forward on it, everything goes black again as I feel myself rolling onto my back.
I don’t mind this time, though.
Somehow I just know that when I wake up again, Holly, my angel, is gonna be the one to help me piece this mystery together.
And I’m gonna be the one to find out just what she has under that puff parka, even if it kills me.
CHAPTER FOUR
Holly
I should’ve told him I have his wallet.
It would save a lot of guesswork. Might have a pretty obvious clue, like a business card or even a credit card.
Although, it did seem pretty empty when that random guy slung it back. And he did say they took everything.
But I just can’t bring myself to look, let alone tell him.
Why?
I guess I have a confession to make, and long before my life even gets naughty enough to even worry whether Santa’s watching or not, I know I’m holding some things back from him.
But only so I can be with him. Only so I can keep this mysterious and thrilling feeling alive.
It’s about as exciting as my life’s gonna get, so why not enjoy it?