Page 27 of The Inn Dilemma (Give a Bookish Girl a Biker)

Chapter Nineteen

Nova

M y childhood home looks exactly as it did when I ran off to Paris. But ever since walking through the door after my time in the hospital, everything feels completely different.

The kitchen that was once my parents’ favorite battleground is now where they make each other coffee and share countless laughs. Where there used to be screaming and fighting, there’s flirtatious banter and intimate whispers.

The changes with my parents make me feel like I’m living someone else’s life.

Mom has been doting on me every chance she gets, even after countless assurances that I am perfectly fine.

Sure, I’ve needed to take a few over-the-counter pain pills, but outside of that, I’m my normal self.

She’s only let me cook and bake with her after consistent begging.

Things definitely could have gone worse.

Reese has come over to visit after work and we’ve stayed up way too late eating ice cream and other junk food. Just like we did when we were kids having a sleepover.

Today is the last day I’m allowing myself to just rest before going back to the Storybook Inn. I’ve read ten books since getting out of the hospital and am currently on my eleventh.

I’ve become fully immersed in Ryken and Marigold’s world in A Sea of Golden Chains by Callie Thomas when I’m scooped into large arms. Clutching my book tightly to my chest, I glare up at Holt.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.

A half grin sits on his lips. “Taking you on a ride.”

I drop my book on the side table as he walks past it, then cross my arms over my chest. “What if I don’t want to go? Mom and Dad will be worried to see I’m gone.”

Holt stops and looks down at me. “You do want to go, though. Besides, I already spoke to them while you were reading your little fantasy novel.”

I tilt my chin up defiantly and push out my bottom lip. “Well, maybe I just wanted to read my little fantasy book this evening.”

Holt chuckles deep, and I can feel the vibrations beneath his chest. “You shouldn’t be this cute at twenty-three.” He starts walking once more.

“Twenty-four next week,” I correct, adding to my defiance.

He leans his head forward so he’s whispering in my ear without breaking his stride.

“Oh, I know, SuperNova, I have big plans.” A small shiver dances down my spine.

The half smirk on his lips tells me Holt knows exactly what he just did to me.

He motions with his head toward the door. “Get the doorknob for me, would you? ”

My glare deepens but I do as he says. “I don’t want to celebrate my birthday.”

He looks contemplative for a second before he’s closing the door with his foot, carrying me to his bike, and carefully lowering me onto the seat.

“I don’t appreciate that you are not respecting my wishes. Going for a ride. Forcing me to celebrate my birthday.”

Holt leans forward, resting one hand on the handlebars and the other on my knee. My pulse quickens as his nose almost brushes mine. “Fine.Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want to go for a ride with me right now, and I’ll carry you right back to that couch and hand you back your book.”

I purse my lips and look away.

“Nova.” His voice deepens, and something that’s lain dormant in me springs to life.

“Yes?” I say, sweetly peeking over at him.

His eyebrow rises, and I can’t help it when my eyes trail the scar that runs through it and down his cheek, stopping at his chin. It doesn’t matter how many times I look at it, that scar will remind me of his selflessness every single time.

“Do you or don’t you want to go for a ride with me right now?” His voice is still that deep, husky sound, and I have to fight back a shiver.

“I want to,” I mumble.

Holt pulls his hand off my knee to cup his ear and lean down even further. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“I want to go for a ride with you.” My words come out clipped.

A wicked smile curls his lips. “That’s my girl.”

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, his eyes widen as if the words slipped out without his consent. He takes a step back and runs his hands through his hair, clearly uncomfortable.

“Do you still have my helmet?” I ask, trying to mask the confusion in my voice.

“Yeah,” he answers before grabbing it out of the tail pack and then his own from the other side of the handlebars. Holt told me he had an intercom installed after our last ride. This is the first time I’ll be using it.

“Thanks.” I can’t help but feel shy. Any discomfort vanishes when I slide the helmet on and he can no longer see the blush I know is on my cheeks.

He reaches beneath my chin and flips the switch on before doing the same on his helmet.

“Can you hear me?” he asks, his voice coming through the speakers in my helmet.

“Perfectly,” I answer.

He gives me a curt nod before getting on the bike. A long, awkward silence stretches between us as we leave Rocosa behind and glide across the roads leading us to Denver.

“I’m sorry I called you my girl,” Holt says, breaking the silence.

“Don’t be,” I answer, a sudden braveness coming over me. “Fourteen-year-old me would have fainted if you called her your girl.”

His deep chuckle fills my helmet. “Did fourteen-year-old Nova have a crush on me?”

“Not exactly. Everyone else did, though.”

Something about this day, this moment, feels monumental. As if all our short walls are down, revealing each of our vulnerabilities, leaving us unashamed of the truths passing between us .

“I can’t say I felt the same way about you back then.”

Before he has a moment to say more, I add, “I didn’t think you did or would have. I’m just saying–”

“What about now? How does adult Nova feel about me?”

My heart races and my palms sweat despite the chill in the air and the whipping wind.

I hesitate a beat before answering, “She’s not sure how she should feel about you.” Somehow, talking about myself in third person makes this less uncomfortable.

“I didn’t ask how does she think she should feel about me. I asked how does she feel about me?”

Like she ’ s falling harder and faster than she should be, especially considering the short time we ’ ve been reconnecting. I don’t say that though. Instead, I swallow down the lump in my throat. “You’re special to me. You always have been and always will be.”

Holt says nothing for long minutes until we approach a sign that says Brokedown Tavern and he pulls into a parking spot.

“We’re here,” he says. “You can get off first.”

I shift my weight to my left and place my foot on the ground before swinging my leg around the back. I’ve barely touched my toe down to the pavement before Holt’s hand grips my arm and holds me steady.

Holt gets off on the same side of the bike, switches off his intercom system, and removes his helmet. He helps me do the same. As the helmet comes off, so does my bravery.

He sets both helmets on the handlebars, then rests his weight on his bike, gripping me gently around the waist and tugging me toward him.

“You still haven’t answered my question, Nova. How do you feel about me now?” His voice is gruff, and my heart hammers at the way his good eye drops to my lips.

I suck in a sharp breath, trying and failing to calm my rushing pulse.

“Holt!” someone behind me shouts. “I didn’t think you were coming out tonight. But I’m glad you did.”

Holt squeezes me gently before releasing me, and I turn to face a Viking-looking man and a dark-haired beauty wearing a snarky T-shirt. Holt introduces them as Thor and Clover.

“Now that she knows who we are, it’s only fair for us to know who she is.” Thor states.

Holt scratches the back of his neck. “This is Nova.”

Thor beams at us like a cat who just caught a mouse. “Nova, as in Christian’s sister?”

“The one and only,” I answer.

Thor wiggles his eyebrows. “Does Christian know this is happening?” He motions between Holt and me with his free hand.

Clover gently swats his chest. “Leave them alone.”

I take a step back, and my ribs ache like they still do throughout the day.

“Argh!” Holt mumbles before his arm slips around me and becomes my human crutch. “I never should have forced you here. I’m so sorry,” he whispers into my ear.

“I’m fine.” I look up at him, and he stares down at me. “I just stepped forward funny.”

“Are you okay?” Clover asks, sounding concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I slowly put my foot down flat.

“She fell down a ravine two days ago. I probably should have just let her rest.” Holt shakes his head. “Let’s get you in there and sitting.”

“You fell down a ravine?!” Clover asks .

“Yes, but I’m totally fine.”

Thor chuckles. “Definitely perfect for Graves.”

My cheeks flush, and Clover swats his chest again.

“Let’s get in there,” Holt suggests, motioning us all forward.

Thor and Clover remain silent as we follow them into the building. It’s a slow evening, with only a group of old men around a circular table. One of the older men motions for Holt and me to come over.

He introduces himself as Ivan and then tells us to enjoy ourselves.

A few guys from the Denver Dragons sit around another booth. I’ve seen them play hockey on TV a handful of times.

“Archer, hey!” Thor greets the dark-haired man, giving him a firm handshake.

“Nice to see you guys again,” Archer says before his eyes land on me. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Archer.”

“I’m Nova.” I extend my hand.

“Chris’s sister,” Holt explains who I am to Archer.

“Nice to meet you,” I say before Holt whisks me over to an oversized booth and helps me into the seat.

“I’ll go get us some drinks. They have really good sweet tea. Really strong, just how you like it.” He winks, and it makes me smile.

“Sounds good.”

Holt and Thor make their way to the bar and put orders in for our drinks while Clover and I sit at the table in an awkward silence. She fiddles with the engagement ring on her finger.

“Congratulations,” I say, motioning to her ring.

She looks up and smiles brightly. “Thanks. It was fast, but when you know, you know.” She shrugs nonchalantly.

“I guess that can be true,” I respond.

“Thor told me he knew from the moment we met,” Clover adds.

“Really?” I put my hand on my chest. “That sounds so romantic.”

Clover snorts. “Not sure why since I almost broke his nose.”

“I wouldn’t change a thing about that night, love,” Thor says as he slides into the booth, scooting Clover down the bench.

Des, Maya, Chris, and Roxy come in next and immediately spot us.

Chris looks at my leg, then to my face several times. “Dad told me you got hurt, but you don’t look too bad.”

“Gee, thanks,” I respond playfully.

“You know what I mean. How is it, living back at home?” he asks as he sits down next to Roxy.

“Not bad.” My eyes shift to Holt. It is nice living at home, but I miss seeing Holt before bed and shortly after waking up. I don’t say that, though.

Chris scratches his jaw. “I’ve been wondering, why were you in the woods?”

Holt sets my tea in front of me and answers for me. “She came to see the cabin I’ve been working on. Titan took off after a squirrel. She chased after him and fell down a ravine not far from there.”

“Are you okay?” Roxy asks.

“I’m fine. The doc just told me to take meds when needed and rest. Holt took it a little too seriously, though, when he carried me to his bike. My main issue was him thinking I’d want to ride his bike over reading my book. ”

“Well, excuse me for wanting to get you out of the house,” Holt responds, sitting down next to me.

Chris looks between the two of us, and I can’t tell if he’s unhappy with what he sees or not. He’s always been overprotective with me and the guys I brought around. How would he feel if he knew the conversation Holt and I had on the way here?

“That’s so sweet,” Maya says.

My eyes shift to Chris again, who wears a completely unreadable expression as he stares at his best friend.

Holt meets his gaze, and Chris motions with his head toward the exit, which Holt answers with a nod of his own.

They’ve always been able to communicate without words.

Both of them head to the exit, leaving me vulnerable at the table with my brother’s wife and their group of biker friends.

“So, what exactly is going on with you and Holt?” Thor asks with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Before I have a chance to say anything, a waitress comes over and asks if we want to order any food. This may be a bar, but everyone orders non-alcoholic drinks.

The girls all order first, and then the guys add theirs. The waitress’s eyes linger on Des a few seconds too long. Maya places her hand over Des’s and he weaves their fingers together. The waitress looks displeased but leaves us without another word.

“Where are Chris and Holt?” Maya asks.

Roxy shrugs. “Beats me. Hopefully Chris likes what I ordered for him.”

Thor drops his hands on the table and looks at Des. “You wanna go check on them?”

Des nods his approval, and the two head for the exit .

Me and the three girls at the table look around at each other awkwardly.

“So, have any of you read anything good recently?” I ask.

All three girls’ faces light up. Clover talks about Evie Chandler, who is apparently Chantelle, another girl in the biker group and one of the authors she edits for.

Maya jumps in and tells me about her most recent five-star read, The Wild by M.J.

Padgett. And Roxy sighs over West, the hero of When Forever Comes.

Which isn’t surprising since both she and the heroine of the story fall in love with billionaires.

I tell them about the book I just finished, A Drop in Forever, a magical realism romance with the coziest of vibes.

Another girl shows up, Tallulah, who immediately jumps in and gushes over Midnight Rider , the first book of an urban fantasy series by Stormie Black.

Books were apparently the perfect icebreaker for this group of women. It doesn’t take long for our conversations to turn into laughter and stories about how they met their guys. It makes me slightly jealous but also hopeful that these people can become my friends too.