Chapter 230: The Jealousy Experiment

Holly’s POV

The moment I got inside, I wouldn’t wait to tell Kayla all about it. I met her on the couch. Hair in a messy bun, glasses on, already in her pajamas. Classic Kayla…always looks cute even when she’s half-asleep.

“I have so much to tell you today…but first…is my baby sleeping already?” I asked, dropping into the couch next to her with a loud exhale.

“Oh yeah…he waited for you, can you believe it? Wanted to show you his masterpiece of you. And get this…apparently you have a huge eye and zero eyebrows. Like, nada. Can you imagine?” she teased, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“He did what?!” I gasped, half-amused, half-offended. “I thought he loved me! Oh, Caden is so getting a piece of my mind tomorrow morning. No mercy!”

“Okay, spill,” Kayla said immediately, brushing my outburst off instead of consoling me and telling me that I don’t have big eyes. “You look like you either won the lottery or committed a felony. Which is it?” She asked.

I laughed, flopping further onto the couch. “Both?” I replied. Then I proceeded to tell her everything. The confession at the office, David’s reaction, the dinner with Tyler, the fake-dating deal, the ground rules, the gala next weekend, the cheek kiss, Tyler being our new neighbor, David suddenly following me out of nowhere.

When I finished, there was total silence on her end. Then she burst out laughing…so hard she had to cover her mouth so she wouldn’t wake Caden.

“Holly,” she wheezed, wiping her eyes, “your life is a full-blown Hallmark-Lifetime-Netflix seasonal movie. It’s always one dramatic thing after another. Unhealthy obsession, brooding man who rejects you but secretly wants you, and now you’ve manifested one of your teenage fantasies and brought a hot rich guy to live next door? Like…what even is this plot?”

I groaned, covering my face. “I know. I sound insane.”

“You don’t sound insane, you sound like the main character in a Christmas rom-com that’s about to get renewed for three more seasons.”

Then her voice dropped, all conspiratorial. “Wait. Is this Tyler guy actually handsome? Like, in person? Or just Instagram handsome?”

I snorted, flipping my hair dramatically. “Kayla, when have I ever not had eyes for handsome men? Yes, he’s stupidly hot. Tall, great smile, dresses like he stepped out of a magazine. The whole package.”

She fanned herself dramatically. “Lord have mercy.”

“Speaking of which,” I said, grinning, “I’m introducing you to him very soon. He’s loaded, single, and Caden needs a dad figure who can buy him a toy car or whatever little boys want these days.”

The laughter stopped instantly. Kayla went quiet. I could see her face change…smile gone, eyes dropping to her lap.

“I’d…rather not talk about anything related to that,” she said softly.

I exhaled, hating myself a little for pushing. “I know and I’m sorry. I won’t push you further. But Kay… you need to get your life moving again. This isn’t the Kayla I made my best friend in college. That Kayla was wild and fun and danced on tables after two margaritas. This version is boring and uptight and lives in pajamas.”

She fake-gasped. “Excuse you, these are nice pajamas.”

“I’m serious,” I said, softer now. “You deserve to be happy. Fulfilled. A little crazy again. Put your happiness first for once. You’re an amazing mom, but you’re allowed to be a girl too.”

She was quiet for a long time, then gave me a small smile. “I know. I’ll think about it. Okay?”

“That’s all I ask.”

We both laughed…lighter this time…then drifted into other random chatter. A few minutes later, we said our goodnights, and I slipped into my room.

Tomorrow morning, Operation: Make David So Jealous He Practically Licks My Feet officially kicks off.

And God, I can’t wait to see David’s face.

I closed my eyes and pictured it…him at his desk, hearing the whispers, seeing us together. That muscle in his jaw ticking. Those dark eyes narrowing.

Let him feel what I’ve been feeling. Let him burn a little.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. A new notification.

David Hunt liked your post.

The one from three months ago…me in a sundress at the beach with Ava, smiling at the camera.

He’d scrolled back three months? Wow!

I stared at the screen, heart racing and kicked my legs excitedly.

Yeah.

This is definitely going to work.

The next morning, I woke up determined to sell this thing like my life depended on it.

If I had to fake being in a relationship, I might as well fake feeling cute and warm and happy while doing it. No sad-girl vibes today.

I rummaged through my closet and pulled out the perfect outfit: a soft cream knit sweater that hugged me just right, a short plaid skirt in red and black, black tights, and my favorite ankle boots with the little heel. Cute, flirty, girlfriend energy all the way.

I left my hair down in loose waves, added a red ribbon headband for that extra touch, and kept the makeup light…rosy cheeks, mascara, glossy pink lips. I looked in the mirror and actually smiled. The girl that stared back looked like she had a hot boyfriend waiting outside.

My phone buzzed right as I grabbed my bag.

Tyler: ‘I’m here, girlfriend. Don’t keep me waiting too long.’

I practically sprinted out of my bedroom, but Kayla caught me in the kitchen.

“Holly! Come eat first, you lunatic. Pancakes are ready.”

“I’m late!” I yelled, but I ran back anyway because Kayla’s pancakes are no joke. She was already cutting a big piece and shoving it toward my mouth.

I opened wide, chewed fast (heaven, as always), then pointed desperately at the coffee. She rolled her eyes, poured some into a travel mug, and held it to my lips so I could sip.

“More?” she asked, smirking.

“Tyler’s waiting! I’m late!” I garbled through the last bite, grabbed the mug from her hand, and bolted.

“Take more food, you freak!” she shouted after me.

“Can’t! Boyfriend duties!” I yelled back, slamming the door behind me.

I ran out as quickly as I could and burst out the front door. I walked down a little bit and stopped to fix myself up.

And there he was. Tyler leaning against his sleek black Audi, arms crossed, looking annoyingly perfect in a simple gray Henley, dark jeans, and sneakers. Casual, effortless, stupidly hot. The morning sun hit him just right, and for a second my brain short-circuited.

If David wasn’t in the picture…damn, I would totally give Tyler a real chance. He doesn’t seem so bad after all.

Yeah, he does give off weird vibes sometimes… But honestly, who doesn’t? Come on, everyone’s a little off their rocker!

“Morning, baby,” he called out, grinning wide. “Were you just checking me out?”

I laughed, smacking his arm as he opened the passenger door for me. “Good morning to you too, boyfriend. And yes, I was. But just a little bit..”

He smiled, adjusting his shirt like he was so proud of himself. Then he closed the door once I was in, circled around to the driver’s side, and slid in. Before starting the car, he held out his hand. “Phone.”

I hesitated, narrowing my eyes. “You putting a tracker on me or something?”

He chuckled. “Like hell. Relax. Just need to check something.”

I fished it out of my bag and handed it over. The next thing I knew, he reached across the console, slid his hand around my waist, and tugged me close…really close. My hand landed on his chest from the sudden pull, fingers curling into his shirt. His body was warm and solid under my palm.

“What are you doing?” I breathed, heart already racing.

He unlocked my phone with my face, opened the camera, and flipped it to selfie mode. “Look at me like I’m the best thing that’s happened to you in forever.”

I tried. I really did. But faking that level of swoon? My face did something weird…half smile, half grimace.

Tyler burst out laughing. “Holly, do you need to poop? Why does your face look like that?”

“I can’t fake feelings!” I protested, shoving at his chest weakly. “It feels wrong!”

He sighed dramatically, then leaned in closer, voice dropping. “Fine. Close your eyes for a second. Pretend it’s David holding you and not me.”

I did. And suddenly it wasn’t hard at all. My face softened, lips parted just a little, eyes went all dreamy. I didn’t even have to try.

Days like today make me loathe David so much…for having full-on control over my body and my brain. Like, seriously, who gave him the remote?!

Me. Obviously.

Tyler made a low sound in his throat. “There we go.”

Before I could look away a little, I felt his lips brush my cheek…soft, lingering. And then, click. He took the photo.

But guess what?

That wasn’t all he took.