Page 10 of Tangled Hearts

“You little shit,” Holden says, laughing. “I know it’s last minute, but do you think you can come? Last night was amazing, but also awkward as fuck. And I love Julian, but the man is not good at telling me to keep my damn mouth shut.”

This is true. Uncle Julian would quite literally rather walk over hot coals than ever tell Holden no or let him know he should maybe be quiet lest he come off like a fucking weirdo. I sigh. I wonder if I couldcome up with some excuse. I think it over as I step into the closet and grab my favorite holey jeans and fishnets, along with a cropped shirt that hangs off my shoulder.

“Eli?” Holden prompts.

“I guess,” I finally say. At the end of the day, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure Holden isn’t uncomfortable. It’s what he did, and still does, for me, after all.

The sigh of relief I get in return lets me know I definitely made the right choice. “Can you be here around six?”

“Definitely.” I take my clothes to my bed and sit on the edge, gripping my phone as my stomach goes wild. I can’t let my anxiety take control of me, though. Nothing will hurt my place in my family. I know it as well as I know my own name. I may have to give myself a pep talk or two, but I’ll manage. And well, if I can’t, I’ll suck it up and put on a brave face for Holden at any rate. “Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just yourself,” Holden says, and it’s easy to hear the smile in his voice. “Thanks, Eli.” There’s a loud crash and an even louder wail. “Shit, gotta go.”

He hangs up the phone before I can even respond. I chuckle to myself as I get dressed. With a pat to Kassie’s head, I walk out the front door and climb into my car to go to the bakery.

“Well, don’t you just look adorable today?” Mia, one of the owners, smiles brightly at me the second I walk through the front door of the bakery.

My cheeks heat at the compliment, but I smile back at her. “Why, thank you.”

“What can I get for you, cutie?” she asks, drumming her fingers on the counter.

“Nothing yet. I’m waiting for Molly and Liam. Your hair looks nice down,” I say, walking up to the counter and leaning against it.

She gives it a little flip, and the scent of cherries hits me in the face. “Thank you.” She leans over the counter and gives me a conspiratorial wink. “I’m thinking about switching it up.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh?”

She nods, pulling her phone out and turning it around to show me a picture. “How do we feel about pink?”

My eyes fly to her. “Really?” She’s had bright-blue hair as long as I’ve known her. Longer, even. Roman worked here as a teen, and she had the same electric-blue hair then.

“Why not? Yolo, or whatever you kids are saying these days.”

I roll my eyes. “Wrong generation, Mia.”

The door dings, and Molly and Liam come strolling in. They’re arguing about something, no surprise there. The two of them basically got stuck together after meeting me. I love our little trio, though. “Hey, guys.”

At the sound of my voice, they both look up and grin. Molly waves, looping her arm through Liam’s and skipping to me. Liam follows along, reluctantly. I’ve learned that Molly’s charm is irresistible, though, and even his grumpy ass can’t resist.

They greet Mia, and we place our orders. I sit down at our booth and take a sip of my strawberry-kiwi boba—Liam and Molly can keep their gross coffee—popping the boba between my tongue and the roof of my mouth.

“So get this,” I start, after swallowing my mouthful of lemonade and boba. “Uncle Hold has a brother.”

Molly gasps, and Liam’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “You’re joking,” Molly hisses, leaning over the table like I’m sharing state secrets.

“Nope.”

“What’s he like?” Liam asks. “Does he look like Holden? Fuck, Eli, your Uncle Holden is hot as fuck. Is the brother married?”

Molly giggles and I fake a gag. “Stop talking about Holden like that, first off. And second off, I have no idea.” I blow out a breath, taking another sip as I collect my thoughts. “I haven’t met him yet, but I guess I will tonight at dinner.”

“I volunteer to go with you,” Liam says, smirking. Molly smacks his arm.

“No thanks. I’ll manage fine on my own.” I eye him over my drink. “Real question, though, aren’t you worried about mooning over Holden? Julian would squish you like a bug.”

Molly laughs. “True that.”

Liam lets out a wistful sigh. “Imagine being in the middle of that sandwich.”