Chapter 276: Unlikely Friend

Holly’s POV

Tyler and I turned in perfect sync, like we’d rehearsed it.

Tyler groaned, long and dramatic, dragging both hands through his hair like he was two seconds from ripping it out.

“Why are you crying again? Haven’t you outgrown crying to get whatever you want…or when things don’t go exactly your way?”

I immediately stepped back from him, both hands shooting up in surrender like I was facing a cop with a gun.

Oh boy. I do not want to get my hair pulled today. Not after the emotional rollercoaster I’ve already survived this week. I’ve cried enough for three lifetimes. Let’s not add catfight to the list.

“It’s not what you think,” I rushed out, words tumbling over each other. “Tyler and I were just—”

The rest died in my throat because the girl…

Seraphina… ran straight at us and crushed both of us into the biggest, tightest hug I’ve ever been trapped in. Her arms locked around our necks like she was afraid we’d vanish if she let go.

Okay… That was… unexpected.

What does she want?

She sobbed harder into our shoulders, hot tears soaking through my shirt, then finally pulled back just enough to look at us with red-rimmed eyes. Tyler and I stood there stiff as boards, arms hanging awkwardly at our sides like we’d forgotten how to move.

“I can’t believe a stranger would be this nice,” she hiccupped, wiping her face with shaky fingers. “I overheard you telling Tyler to make this work between us. That was so… so sweet. I’m sorry for calling you poor and saying all those mean things to you. I was jealous and scared and stupid and I just… I thought you were trying to steal him from me.”

I blinked at her, then slowly turned to face her fully, arms dropping to my sides.

“Hey,” I said softly, meaning it. “I accept that Tyler is your man. And honestly? I have someone I’m crazy about too. I get it. If I saw a picture of the guy I’m into being all cozy with another woman, I’d probably act the exact same way. Worse, probably. Like, full meltdown in the group chat worse.”

Seraphina’s eyes went huge and shiny again. “Awwn… I like you already.”

And just like that, we were hugging again…this time voluntary, warm, real. She squeezed me like I’d just handed her a lifeline.

Tyler just stood there staring at us like we’d both grown second heads, mouth half-open in disbelief.

“So… all of a sudden you’re besties?” he said, voice dripping with exhausted sarcasm. “What’s next? Tea party? Girl’s night out? Matching friendship bracelets and braiding each other’s hair?”

Seraphina and I caught each other’s eye and smirked at the exact same second…like we’d been friends for years instead of enemies five minutes ago.

Tyler looked between us, expression pure defeat mixed with reluctant relief. “Absolutely not. Phina. Get rid of that thought… You’re going back home as soon as possible.”

“I’m not leaving without you,” she said immediately, chin up, tears still glistening but voice steady now. “I already made up my mind. I’m bringing you home so we can start our lives together. For real this time. No more running.”

Tyler opened his mouth to argue.

I cut in gently. “If I may… I think your woman is right. You should go home and face your family head-on. No more running. Put your foot down like a champ, Tyler and tell them what you actually want.”

“Exactly,” Seraphina jumped in, grabbing his hand again and lacing their fingers tight. “We’re a power couple now. We’ll face them together. Whatever you want, I’m willing to do…as long as we’re together.”

I couldn’t help it. “Aww. You two are so sweet it’s disgusting.”

Then I paused, reality crashing back like cold water. “Hold on. What do I tell everyone at work who thinks we’re dating?”

Tyler snorted in a mocking manner. “Is that your only problem right now? What about David? What are you gonna do with him if I’m gone?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool even though my stomach flipped at the mention of his name. “I’ve got it under better control now compared to before. In fact… he asked me out today.”

Tyler’s face changed…serious in a heartbeat. “For real?”

I nodded in response, and he exhaled deeply. “I don't trust that guy one bit. Just be careful, Hols. He may not be all that he seems.”

I frowned, tilting my head. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated, jaw working like he was chewing on words he didn’t want to spit out. Then he just shook his head. “Nothing. Just… be careful. That’s all.”

Here we go again. Another vague ‘be careful’ warning. No one ever says what the actual danger is. Just ‘be careful.’ Like I’m supposed to guess. Great. Love the mystery.

Seraphina clapped her hands together suddenly, eyes sparkling through the leftover tears. “We’ll have one of the directors come down here to manage this branch. And since this line of work is what you love doing, Ty, we should make it a franchise. Open the headquarters back home. You have my full support.”

Tyler looked at her for a long second…really looked…like he was seeing her for the first time in years. Then he smiled, calm and real. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Thank you.”

I closed my eyes dramatically, turned my head away, and waved both hands like I was shooing flies. “Okay, okay, I’m leaving. You two keep doing… whatever this cute reconciliation thing is. I’m out before I start crying or vomiting from the sweetness.”

They both laughed…Seraphina’s bright and bubbly while Tyler’s was low and relieved.

“No, wait,” she said quickly, grabbing my wrist before I could bolt. “We’re giving you a ride home. No arguments.”

Tyler nodded. “We’re neighbors anyway. It’s not a bother.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off with that easy, stubborn look.

“It’s getting late, Hols. You can sleep the whole ride if you want. Just let me drive you home.”

I sighed, too tired to fight. “Tyler, you played the fake-boyfriend role too well. Everyone…even me…got confused about whether it was acting or not. I don’t want people who’ve seen us together, especially my colleagues, running into us right now. It’ll be awkward explaining why I’m in the car with you and another woman a day after we supposedly showed them how in love we are.”

Tyler raised a brow. “Awkward? In what way?”

“Awkward like ‘Holly, didn’t you say you were dating Tyler?’ followed by ‘Then why is he holding hands with another woman, while you’re curled up in the back like a stray cat?’ That kind of awkward.”

Seraphina snorted, then covered her mouth. “Okay, fair. But we’re still driving you. Besides, we’ll roll up the windows in the back. No one will even know you’re with us. End of discussion.”

Tyler was already grabbing his keys and jacket. “Come on. Let’s lock up.”

We stepped outside together. He turned the key in the office door with a final click. The evening air was cool, streetlights buzzing overhead. I hugged my arms around myself, suddenly exhausted down to my bones.

And then I saw it.

Parked at the far corner of the lot, under the only flickering lamp, was David’s black Mercedes.

My stomach dropped like I’d missed a step on stairs.

Tyler noticed at the exact same second. His whole body went alert, shoulders squaring. “It’s him right?”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

“You want me to get rid of him?” Tyler asked, voice low and dead serious.

I shook my head fast. “No. I’ve got this. Just give me a second,” I added. My voice came out steadier than I felt.

I started walking toward him.

David was leaning against the driver’s side door, arms crossed over his chest, hands tucked into the pockets of his dark coat. His eyes were already on me…like they’d been trained there the second I stepped out of the building. Like he’d been waiting.

I stopped a few feet away and crossed my arms, mirroring his stance.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “And how did you even find me?”

He didn’t smile. Didn’t move. Just watched me with that quiet intensity that always made me feel like he could see straight through my bullshit.

“This is the only place I thought you’d be after you left work pretending you weren’t feeling well.” His gaze flicked past me to Tyler and Seraphina standing by the other side of the driveway. Seraphina had her arm looped through Tyler’s now, and whatever David saw made the corner of his mouth lift…just barely.

“I suspected the thing with Tyler was fake,” he said softly. “But damn, the guy’s acting was convincing.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “You still haven’t answered me. What the hell are you doing here, boss?”

He looked at me then…really looked…and the expression on his face was so raw, so pitiful, it stole the air out of my lungs.

Before he could open his mouth to speak—

“Hols, you okay?” Tyler’s voice cut through the space, closer now.

I felt David’s entire body shift…posture changing, shoulders rolling back like he was bracing for a fight.

I glanced over my shoulder. Tyler and his fiancée were walking toward us now, side by side, both of them watching David like he might explode at any second.

Oh God.

Please don’t let him throw a punch.

Because apparently that’s what he’s been really good at lately.