gives the two of you a chance?”
Zane hadn’t looked at it that way. It was clear he’d done something to hurt her earlier. She wouldn’t even look at him. Was she sad because he wasn’t giving her a chance? But he thought he was.
He shook his head and rested his elbows on his knees. He’d better think this through. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her before he’d even told her how he felt. In high school he liked her, loved her, but was he in love? He didn’t know what love was back then. But after seeing her again, spending time with her, falling in love with Holly would be oh, so, easy.
Chapter Thirteen
Holly found it hard to wake up in the morning. In fact, it was hard to do much of anything for several days after she told herself she should stay away from Zane and Sophie. Katie, of course, thought she was an idiot.
“What is wrong with you?” she asked for the umpteenth time in the last few days. “Zane has been calling and you’re not answering.”
“He doesn’t need anything.” Holly shrugged. “He probably just wants to talk.”
“Then talk to him. For crying out loud, I don’t know what your problem is.” Katie shook out the cape she used for her clients then began sweeping up hair around her station. “I think the two of you are both idiots!”
Holly rolled her eyes and went back to adding earrings to a display on her counter. “He’s leaving, Katie. Why torture myself?”
“Ah haaaaa!” Katie drawled in triumph. “You’re falling for him, I knew it!”
Holly pressed her lips together and tried to glare. She wasn’t very good at it.
“I knew the two of you would hit it off again. So why fight it?” She joined Holly at her counter. “Why not let nature take its course?”
Holly closed her eyes and sighed. “Katie … he’s leaving.”
“I know. The whole town knows he’s heading to New York in a few days.”
“But …” Holly looked at her. “What if he doesn’t come back?”
“Of course, he’ll come back,” Katie scoffed. “What makes you think he won’t?”
She looked at the store front windows. “Oh, he’ll come back to visit, see his folks, that sort of thing. But if Sophie’s other set of grandparents are anything like he says, he might have a fight on his hands.”
“Sophie is his daughter. What can they do?” Katie asked.
“With enough money, make Zane’s life miserable for one.”
“Stop being so pessimistic.”
“Realistic, you mean.”
Katie shrugged. “I think you’re just chicken.”
Holly’s jaw went slack.
“Crystal told me you called her a chicken at the town picnic. Said she was afraid to let love have its way with her and my brother?”
“That was different. Crystal and John, they should be together. They were in love before and still were.”
“Do you still love Zane?”
Holly half-laughed. “We were teenagers. Stupid teenagers, I might add.”
“So.”
“So? There’s a big difference between having a brain and not having one.”
“So, use it. What’s holding you back from seeing Zane and getting to know him?”
“I already know him.”
“No, you don’t. Not the way you could.”
“I … can’t do that.” She picked up a few more earrings and put them on the display.
“You’re afraid of falling in love,” Katie stated. “Why?”
It was times like these Holly wanted to throttle her friend. “I … I’m not ready for …” she looked Katie in the eye. “I don’t know.”
“Motherhood?” Katie said then shook her head. “Holly. When are any of us ready? Do you think I was when I had Jack or Carlton or Tiffany?”
“Were you?”
“No!”
“But you were married …”
“What does that have to do with anything? Other than it does take two …”
Holly sighed. “I … just don’t know.”
Katie walked to her side of the counter and put an arm around her. “But you enjoy Sophie, I can tell. And you’re protective of her.”
Holly smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. She’s such a little angel.”
“Look, if you’re truly not ready to be a mom, then at least tell Zane. But if you’re falling in love with him and Sophie, then go for it. Trust me, you learn motherhood as you go.”
Holly let her words sink in. “But … what if I’m lousy at it?”
“Don’t worry, you’re a natural. I’ve seen you often enough with my kids.”
“But, what if Zane ….”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you,” Katie cut in. “Please, give it a chance.”
Holly fingered the next set of earrings. She’d been avoiding Zane for days so she wouldn’t