Chapter 197: One Of My Adventures

Holly’s POV

Today was especially adventurous. To say the least.

It had gone exactly the way I planned. Every single beat.

I sighed out loud in sheer contentment, slumping against the leather seat of Justin’s car, replaying the look on David’s face all day. That stiff jaw, the tightening around his eyes, the way he tried so hard to look unaffected when everyone could practically smell his discomfort.

I’d gotten under his skin. Deep. And God, it brought me joy.

He has no idea the lengths I’ll go to win him. He doesn’t.

Because if he does, he’d better start applying for asylum in a country that’s already banned anyone bearing the name Holly from entering.

“What has you smiling like that?” Justin’s voice pulled me back, warm and teasing. He cut his eyes at me, smirking as he added, “And don’t even mention my brother’s name because that is getting so exhausting.”

Exhausting? Boy, I haven’t even started.

I laughed, covering my face dramatically like I’d been caught red-handed.

“Stop,” I cooed.

Justin shook his head, mock disgust written all over his face. “I don’t know what y’all see in him.” His voice dipped, quieter now. Almost sad.

“Not y’all,” I shot back quickly, straightening in my seat, almost childishly proud of my declaration. “I’m going to make sure I get rid of every female on his path and make him crazy about me. Somehow.”

The words slipped out with a giggle, high-pitched and silly.

Justin scoffed, shaking his head. “Good luck with the golden boy, Holly.” Then he accelerated, the hum of the car filling the silence.

“Justin,” I said suddenly, a thought striking me, “can we stop by a mall? Or, like… a kids’ store? I need to get something.”

He blinked. “Kids’ store?”

I bit my lip. “Yeah. For Caden.” My little boy.

His expression softened instantly, and he nodded. “Sure.”

Minutes later we were wandering through a bright aisle of a toy store, the air filled with cheerful music and the faint smell of rubber balls. I grabbed a ridiculously oversized stuffed dinosaur, holding it up to my chest. “What do you think? Fierce enough?”

Justin tilted his head like a serious art critic, then shook it. “Too green. The poor boy might cry.”

“Fine.” I swapped it for a plush monkey wearing overalls. “Better?”

He snorted. “Now that looks like you.”

“Excuse me?” I gasped, smacking his arm with the monkey, and we both broke into laughter that echoed through the aisle.

By the time we were done, our cart was a chaotic mes…tiny sneakers, two board games, snacks I pretended were for Caden but were definitely for me, and a miniature basketball hoop Justin swore would “build character.”

At checkout, a middle-aged woman behind us leaned in, beaming. “You two look good together. Cute couple. Newly weds?”

Before she could even finish the last word, I blurted out: “No!”

Way too loud. Way too fast.

The cashier jumped in shock while the woman blinked, startled.

Justin just froze, his face tightening in a way I hadn’t seen before. He didn’t say anything… just looked at me, expression closed off, and helped load the bags in silence.

I didn’t dare meet his eyes. Not once.

Back in the car, the silence stretched uncomfortably until he finally broke it.

“You really want to get David upset? Get his attention?”

I exhaled sharply, covering my awkwardness with a shrug. “Heck yeah. That’s why I’m here in the first place.”

Justin drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, then leaned back like he was about to pitch me the winning idea.

“Then listen,” he said in a scheming voice.

“Step one: we pretend to date. Publicly. Nothing too much, just enough for David to see. Step two: he sees us laughing, close, maybe holding hands. Step three: he gets jealous as hell. Trust me, my brother’s pride can’t handle it. He’ll act sooner than later.”

I turned in my seat to stare at him.

Justin’s grin was hopeful, earnest. He meant it. He really thought he was helping me.

And for a second… just a second… I imagined it. His hand in mine. Us walking into the office together. David’s jaw locking in that delicious way.

But then I shook my head. “No.”

Justin frowned. “No?”

“I can’t use you like that,” I said quietly. “You’re a good guy. And I… I have my own way. If it doesn’t work, maybe…maybe…I’ll take you up on your offer.”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded, resigned. “I’m only trying to help.”

“I know. And I’m grateful.”

The rest of the drive was quieter, but not tense. Just thoughtful.

Before long, we pulled into Kayla’s driveway. Justin parked, and I gathered the shopping bags, cradling the stuffed monkey like it was Caden himself.

“Thank you,” I said, leaning in to hug him. “For today. Seriously.”

He hugged back, brief but solid. “Anytime, Holly.”

I slipped out of the car, the cool night air wrapping around me. Standing at the curb, I waved until his taillights disappeared down the street. Only then did I turn toward the house, a smile tugging at my lips.

My plan was working.

And if David thought he’d already figured me out…

He hadn’t seen anything yet.

The doorbell echoed twice before I even lowered my finger, my arms nearly breaking under the mountain of bags. Designer, toy store, candy shop…basically a whole mall condensed into paper and plastic.

Kayla opened the door with that half-exasperated, half-amused face she always reserved for me. Behind her leg, a tiny head peeked out. Big brown eyes. Messy curls. My heart nearly exploded.

“Hey, bestie!” I squealed, shoving past her into the house like I owned it, bags tumbling dramatically onto the floor.

“Woah!” Caden yelped, peeking out from behind his mother’s leg, his little hand clutching her jeans like it was a lifeline.

“Hols,” Kayla groaned immediately, “what are these? You shouldn’t spoil him!”

“Oh, I will.” I grinned wickedly, crouching down to Caden’s level. “It’s my first time being a mother and I’m learning the ropes, so just let me. Besides, what better way to spend Ava’s money? And tomorrow we’re getting new cars. That beat-up carriage of a car you drive is a crime against the environment.”

Kayla started in on her lecture about impulsivity and budgets and responsibility, but I tuned her out, because Caden was staring at me like I was Santa Claus, Beyoncé, and a walking toy store all at once.

I leaned closer, my grin softening. “Hi, baby. I’m Holly. Your cool second mommy.” His little lashes fluttered, his mouth a perfect O of shock. “And from now on, you’re going to call me Mommy, okay?”

Then I spread my arms wide.

For a second he hesitated, chewing his lip, shy as a church mouse. And then…he walked right into me.

“Ohhh my God,” I gasped, scooping him up and covering his curls with a thousand kisses, his giggles like little fireworks going off in my chest.

“Mommy?” he whispered into my shoulder.

Both Kayla and I froze, then immediately burst out laughing like maniacs.

“Yes, baby, Mommy!” I cooed, holding him tighter.

He wriggled free just enough to point at the pile of bags. His eyes went huge, round as saucers. “Are all these mine?”

“Every single one,” I said proudly.

He squealed so loudly I was sure the neighbors heard. “Thank you, Mommy!” he shouted, diving into the bags with all the joy of a pirate finding treasure. His tiny hands rummaged through sneakers, stuffed animals, candy bars, and god-knows-what-else, every find earning another squeal.

Watching him, my chest tugged. “He reminds me so much of Ava’s son, Liam,” I murmured, my throat tightening. “God, I miss them already.”

Kayla’s hand suddenly smacked my arm.

“Ow! What the hell?” I yelped.

She rolled her eyes, pushing past me toward the kitchen. “I’m just trying to smack some sense into you. Maybe it’ll knock you back to reality. You need to go home to your family, Holly, and drop this messed-up dark romance lifestyle you’re chasing.”

Her words slid over me like smoke. My smile stretched wickedly as I darted ahead of her, blocking her path, one hand braced against the doorway like I was about to deliver the monologue of my life.

“Speaking of dark romance, Kayla…” I leaned in close, my whole body buzzing, sparks dancing under my skin. “You have no idea what happened today.”

Shocks coursed through me as the memories came flooding back.