Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (20 page)

He had cupped my cheek as I was crying.
 
His father had approached. With a firm voice,
he had scolded him stating that he should keep his distance from me. His father
added that Charlie was not to ever get any ideas that he was good enough for
me.

Remembering Charlie’s expression and his eyes holding that
pain, the care turning to envy. His father came up and lifted me, carrying me
into the house.

The memory faded.

That was it…the same look he held when he looked at me now;
I hadn’t realized until now. He had been always told that he wasn’t good
enough. More importantly, he wasn’t good enough for me.

Looking back to the note, this was his small attempt of
showing a little care for me. How would I prove to him that his father was
wrong?

Walking from the kitchen to my room, I needed a shower. I
felt overwhelmed with all that was happening or had happened. I wasn’t too sure
if I would even see him again. Last night was starting to feel like a one night
stand.

Perhaps it was me, assuming it was to shield myself from
the disappointment of having any expectations.

Finishing my shower and dressing in jeans and a t-shirt, I
had some more unpacking to do and errands to run. The morning was quick and now
afternoon.

One thought finally registered. Unprotected sex and
pregnancy, was I ok with taking that chance? Remembering my dream and the pain
of loss, the answer was clear. No, I was not ok with it. In a rush I grabbed my
purse and thru my hair up in a baseball cap. I needed to get to the pharmacy. I
needed to pick up the “morning after” pill. Never once would I have thought I
would ever put myself in this position. Last night I had and knowingly.

Jumping into the Range Rover, I put my keys in the
ignition. The car wouldn’t turn over.

Really? What the fuck?

I jumped out and opened the hood. This was brand new car.
Looking at the engine, someone disconnected the battery.

One name came to mind, Charlie.

What the hell was he up too?

I reconnected the battery and went back into the car. This
time it started. I couldn’t believe he would do such a thing. Was this some
kind of joke? Why would he want me to stay?

I drove to Hunt Valley, as this area was the closest
populated city with a pharmacy. I pulled into the town center and parked.

In the pharmacy, I waited my turn finally asking for what I
had come there for. The woman behind the desk was young and smiled at me
bagging my request.

That now taken care of, I made my way back to my car. A
hand grabbed my arm from behind. I stopped in shock and turned.

It was Charlie.

“And what is the lovely Lillian up to this afternoon?” he
grinned then looked to the small bag in my hand that was labeled with the
pharmacy name.

“Running errands” I slighted my head to the side and looked
to him quizzically. How did he find me?

“What medication could you possibly need? I was pretty sure
you are a very healthy woman?” he reached and pulled the bag from my hand.

Crossing my arms and raising my expression to his, “I don’t
see what you think you’re doing. May I please have my bag back?”

He cocked his head and pursed his lips tight. Taking the
bag he opened it and pulled out the small box the read Plan B across the top.

Pausing he looked back to me “Do you understand the side
effects of this pill?”

“Yes Charlie, I understand what it does and its side
effects.” I reached for the bag as he instantly raised it above my head.
“Charlie stop playing games and give it here. I’m doing you a favor by taking
that pill.”

Looking into his eyes, the expression.
 
Charlie looked stunned, terrified and do I
say it disappointed?
 
What in the world?

“Charlie, are you honestly ready to have a child and with
me? Let’s face it last night was just a one night stand and if and when I have
child it will be with a man who loves me. Not a man playing games with me. He
lowered the bag down. “Who is to say I’m not that man. Who says I’m playing
games with you Lilly?”

“You don’t know me Charlie. Thus, you can’t love me.”

His free hand came to my face as his thumb moved along my
jaw line stopping just at my lower lip.

“I think I have a pretty good idea of who you are Lilly.
Perhaps it is you that needs to get to know me.”

Releasing his hold on my face, he handed me my bag. I could
see the disappointment just under the controlled surface he held. He leaned
down to the side of my cheek and kissed me.

“I can’t keep you from taking this pill and won’t. Just
think hard on it before you do.” He pulled up and forced a smile.

Lowering my gaze from him, I had no idea what to do.
Looking to the bag in my hand, I was confused to what I wanted. Do I let nature
take its course? There was a chance that I wouldn’t get pregnant however, there
was also that chance that I would.

Looking back up, Charlie was gone. I turned looking around
and I didn’t know where he went to.

Bag in hand, I walked to my car and got in. Putting the bag
down on the seat I adjusted myself putting on the seatbelt and started the car.

My phone rang through the blue tooth devise. It was Julie.

“Hey there” I answered

“Hey Lil. I just wanted to call and see how you were. I’m
still reeling in shame for what I almost did and feel like I really need to
make amends. You were right about Chris. I’m sorry for being such an ass Lilly.
Can you ever forgive me? Can we start over?”

“Julie, I would love to start over. I’m glad things with
Chris are moving in the right direction for you.”

“Yeah, so am I.” It was evident in her voice that last
night went very well for the two of them.
 
“So, can I ask about you and my brother? Was he is normal asshole self?
If he was I’ll be more than happy to give him a piece of my payback,” she
laughed but I could tell she was serious.

“No, he wasn’t an ass Julie, I just don’t know what game he
thinks he’s playing. One minute he’s sweet then cryptic. It’s obvious that
there is a lot of baggage that he holds towards me.”

“Lil, now that I know who you are, he’s always had a thing
for you. Well the girl he remembered. Now that you’re not a girl and no one is telling
him that you’re off limits; I’m sure he’s slightly intimidated. The notion that
he was told that you were too good for him stuck. I’ve watched the way he
treats women Lil, not good. He builds them up then makes them feel like they
aren’t good enough for him.”

“I can understand that Julie. The psychology behind it;
chasing what you were told you couldn’t have.” I sighed and looked to the bag
on passenger side. “I’m afraid I don’t have it in me for whatever game he
thinks to play Julie.”

“Lil, if I may be so blunt. It sounds to me like you’ve
already fallen for him.”

“Oddly enough I think I had a long time ago.”

“When you were younger?” she asked

“I think the first time I had met him. I was a
fifteen-year-old girl. I thought of him as a knight in shining armor. How
freaking childish.” I laughed. “I remember that I had fallen and hard. He must
have been watching and raced out carrying back to my parent patio. Stupid but I
think I had an instant crush on him.”

Julie laughed and added, “I remember that story. He had
said it was the first time he had met the girl his father always spoke of. He
said that you were like an angel.” She laughed more. “I use to make fun of him
for it as you were so much younger than him.”

“I was. Hell, I was still a child at fifteen. And I had a
crush on him that I realize has followed me all this time.”

“Normally, I’m not the romantic Lilly, but perhaps the two
of you were meant to be. Who knows?”

“Or I’m a means to prove something to his father.” It was
very probable, which meant in the end, I would be like many countless women
that he left with a broken heart.

“I say take it a moment at a time Lilly, the feelings are
there and not one sided. He’s a bit complicated, however; I think it’s you he’s
waited for all this time.”

“I hope your right Julie.” I really want to put faith in
her belief it not for my own sake but for the possibility of what this may cost
in the end.

“So different note, any plans for this evening? Chris and I
were thinking we should all meet up for dinner tonight. Little Italy , It’s
been forever since we’ve all done dinner. Chris said he’d call Brady and I
figure you could call Sam.”

“Actually, that sounds like a really good idea.”

“Oh good…this will be fun.”

“I’ll give Sam a call. What time and place?

“Hmmm, how about Aldo’s around eight?”

“Perfect. I’ll call Sam and Aldo’s”

“Awesome. Looking forward to it.”

“Same.”

We hung up, and I pulled out of my parking spot towards
home.

Calling Sam, she too wanted to hear about my evening, as
she couldn’t get over the way Charlie had attempted to carry me out from the
bar. I filled her in some of the details, as she was more than eager to hear
about it.
 
She was all about dinner
tonight so the plan was a go.

At the house, I headed for the office needing to get thru
some emails and set up meetings for next week. I had to negotiate new terms for
a distribution agreement.

Coordinating Brady’s and my schedule for next week seemed
so tedious and boring; but, something normal as he was my business partner and
my lawyer. Two conference calls later and my workday was finally at an end.

Stretching out, I stood up and went to the kitchen. Pulling
a wine glass out and a bottle of red, I poured myself a full glass. The music
present through the house, I was feeling oddly sated and ready for a dinner
with my friends. Smiling and thinking about Julie, yes I considered her a
friend. I was glad that things had turned the way they have. I had I only paid
it more mind sooner, she and I could have been closer than we are now.

“Delivery truck approaching.” Henry sounded off.

Hmm, I wasn’t expecting anything.

The doorbell rang and I walked over confused not knowing
what to expect.

“Good evening, I have flowers for a Ms. Holt.”

“That would me.” I signed for them and tipped the guy.
Closing the door, I appraised the excessively large bouquet of white lilies and
my favorite, lily of the valley. Walking them to the Kitchen, I pulled the card
from the center.
 
A nervous shudder
racketed me.
 
Please let it not be from
him.
 
Him meaning my past; Lucian.

Not whom I would have thought them to be from; Sebastian.

Reading the note, I was curious.

“Lillian, please accept the flowers as a house warming. I’m
glad to see you moving on with life. Until we meet again, take care. Sebastian.”

Ok, nice gesture I think. Actually, I wasn’t sure what this
meant.

I needed to stop doubting everyone’s intentions. Perhaps,
this was just him being nice. Nevertheless, unnecessary in my opinion.

I placed the flowers on the marble island. They were
beautiful, I had to give him that much. He had good taste.

Looking to the clock, I needed to get ready. I had no idea
what I was going to wear.

As a woman, this posed an issue that could definitely waste
time, I didn’t really have.

Showering and spending way too much time appraising the
clothes in my closet, I finally settled on a dark navy dress. It was silk and fell
short. There was nothing revealing about it beyond the amount of leg is showed.
It hung a bit loose and draped around the chest. I would need a jacket, as it
tends to get cool in September. A fitted black blazer would do the trick.
Finding a pair of strappy heels and I was ready to go.

I pulled a clutch from the shelf and moved my things from
my other purse.

Locking and arming the house, I jumped into my car. I had
no need to cab it tonight, as I had no plans of getting drunk.

The drive would be thirty minutes into the city. I was
looking forward to a night with friends.

Meeting for dinner was what I had needed. Looking around
the table that night was perfect. The jokes and laughing about various
experiences and stories, was the normalcy I missed and forgot to allow myself
to embrace.

Sergio, the manager and friend came over and greeted us
bringing out a few new samples that he was planning to put on the menu. He was
such a talent and the restaurant amazing. The night was getting late and we
were in full conversation not realizing the hour.

Looking to Brady and Sam, I could see that romance slowly
blossoming. As for Julie and Chris, it seemed like they were well on their way
to something great. It had dawned on me that I was the only un attached person.
Brady and Sam weren’t official, but it looked as if they were already on their
way.
 
Paying the bill and breaking off
our ways. I was the last to wait for my car that I had valet parked.