Page 37 of The Risks of Reuniting (Love Connections #1)

Holt squeezes my waist as we both laugh and then I move forward and hug her again. "I trust you Rachelle," I say, and then I whisper for her ears only, "And I think we can both acknowledge that you probably could steal him if you wanted to, you foxy little thing."

She throws her head back and laughs, and when I release her she does a few poses, tossing her hair and cocking her hips, and Holt watches it all with a big smile on his face.

Rachelle finishes her goodbye with a quick hug for Holt – patting him on the back in big exaggerated moves and saying " bye bro" in a way that makes us all crack up again.

The two of us watch as she hauls her luggage up and makes her way to the train to take her away.

She waves as she rounds a corner and Holt reaches down to pick up both of our heavy packs.

"You told her she could steal me if she wanted to, didn't you?" he asks as we make our way to the food court where we've decided to hang out for the next thirty minutes before taking the train to our next terminal. Holt wants egg rolls.

"I did," I confirm with a grin.

"Not in this universe," he states, throwing me a look that tells me he's all mine, and only mine, forever, even though he knew I was playing around.

We find a table and claim it, and while Holt goes after some egg rolls for him and tea for me, I pull out my phone and start texting people. It's lovely to have cell service again.

Allie-Pallie, we just landed in Atlanta. Holt is getting egg rolls and that feels so normal. We'll see you soon. Are you ready?

The next text goes to my parents. They aren't amazing text users, and I'd normally choose to call them, but I'll be back on a plane soon and they need proof that I didn't die over the ocean somewhere. At the last second I add my brother Gavin to the chat.

Hey family. Just landed in Atlanta and will be heading to Salt Lake soon. Brought you some souvenirs. One is kind of big and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. It's a man. I think you'll like him if you give him a "second" chance.

It's a little tongue-in-cheek because other than their initial reactions to me telling them about Holt, they've been silent about it. And that's not how my family handles things. Which means they're going to be weird about it.

Gavin

Pics or it didn't happen.

I laugh down at my phone and then frown when I realize that I still haven't sent my family or cousins a picture of us together. Oops.

Why are you awake?

Gavin

Why else – toilets. Someone stole the one from the police station and the cops have nothing to go on.

I groan and send an eye roll emoji.

Gavin

Hey, does Holt need a job? I need someone to crawl into tight spaces. Make sure you have life insurance on him first.

Don't worry. It's a huge policy. You'll all be well cared for.

Gavin

Does he still have teeth and hair?

That's an insensitive question. What do those things have to do with love?

Gavin

Good point. We love you and you're pretty ugly.

I haven't actually seen you in years because I avoid looking

Gavin

Maybe your guy can't handle a job with me – the work is really draining.

Another eye roll emoji

Gavin

I can do this all day

Clear clogged drains? I know. It's your job.

Gavin

Just for that – I'm leaving you on read while I take a snack break. Time for some leeks.

Oh my gosh, Gav . . .

I look across the way and see Holt standing in line holding a number, waiting on our food.

I snap a picture and attach it to the text thread.

Seems easier than hunting through one on my phone.

Okay, the truth is that even though we had taken a few this past week, I'm hesitant to share them.

Peru feels special somehow, and I'm not ready to open that door to the public yet.

Here he is.

Gavin

I knew you liked to live on the edge, but that's a lot of face piercings even for you. How do you kiss?

I look at the picture and see that I didn't zoom in enough, and on the forefront is a picture of a heavily pierced guy with spiky green hair and all black clothing. It's too good to not push forward with it.

I didn't recognize him at first either. He's changed a lot this past year. But nothing can stop true love.

Gavin

Gross. And now you're married with a hefty life insurance plan? I like your style of revenge.

I laugh and shake my head.

Not married. But we are giving it a second chance and he'll be in Salt Lake for the month so you'd better play nice.

Gavin

Does he need me to give his pipes a good cleaning?

Definitely not, and do not actually say that to him.

Gavin

I will give him a chance, but I can't promise to be nice. He hurt you, remember.

And I hurt him.

Gavin

Yeah, but he isn't my sister.

Holt walks up to where I'm smiling as I text my brother, and puts a container of egg rolls and a steaming cup of tea in front of me before sitting down across the table.

"Who you texting?" he asks.

"Gavin," I reply. "He's considering cleaning your pipes when he sees you."

Holt pulls a face. "Yikes. Brothers and grudges, huh?"

"He promised to at least pretend to be nice while he watches you creepily," I reply, picking up the tea.

"I guess that's all I can hope for." He takes a bite of egg roll and his eyes scan the distance. "The bubble is about to burst," he says under his breath.

I blow on my tea. "Yep. Big time."

"Stinks knowing your people in Salt Lake are all going to be hesitant with me being back around."

I shrug, pretending it's no big deal when I know it really could be. "Your family probably isn't happy with me either."

He tosses me a look. "Wrong. They're all on your side. I'm the one who left, moved away from them, and lost you in the process. I'm lucky I was invited back for Thanksgiving last year."

A smile slowly fills my face. "I always knew I liked your family."

"Then you'll really like to hear that when I asked my mom if the clothing I'd left in Utah was still hanging in my room so that I could use it while I'm there for my internship, her reply was that closets in my house are only for sons that live here ." He pulls a face when I laugh .

"But, you do have clothes to wear, right? Because you've got one bag with you, and I know for a fact that those clothes won't cut it at the hospital."

He nods. "Yeah. She finally admitted she hadn't touched anything. It's good to know that the Holt Shrine lives on."

His hand slides across the table to take mine. "I hope you find it really manly and tempting when I admit that I'm nervous."

I squeeze his hand and take a sip of my tea. "So manly. I'm swooning over here."

He grins and I feel both of us settle as we acknowledge out loud that things are going to feel weird for a bit. Same team.

We finish eating and take the zippy train back to the terminal we need to catch our flight to Salt Lake.

Holt holds my hand the whole time, and we get to our gate just in time to be called to board.

As I'm standing in line to have my boarding pass scanned, a text alert comes through. This one from my mom.

Mom

Gavin, leave the man's pipes alone. Can't wait to see you Chloe :)

I laugh and tuck my phone in my pocket as I walk down the jetway. Once I'm settled in my seat I take a minute to respond, knowing her head has to be spinning and that hearing from me will help.

I'm craving your double chocolate cookies. We're on the plane about to take off on our last leg. I love you.

Mom

Love you too, honey. LOL

I groan.

LOL does not mean Lots of Love

Mom

That's not that Grandma Sue told me.

It means Laugh Out Loud

Mom

Why would I be laughing out loud about you flying?

Exactly.

I smirk as I turn off my phone and get settled, knowing Gavin will take it from here, and when Holt takes my hand in his, I lay my head on his shoulder and sink into him. We're going home, together.

I manage to doze on this last leg of our journey and I'm grateful. When we get to the gate and turn our phones back on, there is one text that has me both laughing and holding my breath.

Allie

I hope he's wearing armor, because I'm about to go Gladiator Allie on his face.

I show the screen to Holt and he pulls a face before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Same team, baby," he reminds me.

"Same team."

But someone might have to tell Allie that, because her text promises she's not in the business of making friends and forgiving easily. Honestly – what best friend would?

Few things have made me as nervous as standing at the curb at the Salt Lake City airport and wondering what happens next.

We made it back to Utah, we decided we're going to give this thing a chance, but what now?

How does this work? I need freaking guidelines with bullet points.

Are we giving each other some space while we figure things out?

Will we see each other in the evenings? What's his internship schedule? Where is he staying?

Why haven't we already talked about all of this?

All I actually know is that I'm supposed to have dinner with my family tonight, and I need a nap.

I had already planned to take a hired car because I'm independent like that.

Holt was doing the same thing because his parents had a commitment this morning, and I'm glad for the extra time together.

He stands next to me, one hand in his pocket, the other holding the handle of his duffel bag, and I have no idea what he's thinking about.

It would be weird to throw up right now, but I'm afraid it's coming if one of us doesn't say something.

A car pulls up to the curb and our line moves forward. I'm now first, the next car will be mine. Do I simply go home and assume we'll be in touch? Do I make a plan with him? Am I attempting a new easy-breezy personality here? I feel as rumpled as my clothing .

Another car pulls up and the airport attendant motions for me to move forward as the trunk pops open. It's time. I'm up. The hourglass is empty.

I can't look at Holt. I've risked enough, and I'm too tired to risk more. I'll go home and let things settle and figure it out from there.

I lug my pack into the trunk and go to shut it when a hand appears to hold it open. Holt chuckles at my expression as I turn to face him.

"I'd like to make it home with all my fingers," he says, hefting his own bag in next to mine.

Then, when I keep staring, he closes the trunk and opens the back door, gesturing for me to get in.

I do, and he slides in next to me, a smile still on his face.

"Should I be offended that you were prepared to leave here without me? " he teases.

My eyes are still on him as he closes his door and leans forward to give the driver my address. My address. My face heats with pleasure and I lean back in the seat. The cab pulls from the curb and Holt reaches for my hand.

"Communication is key," he jokes.

I roll my eyes. "You could have communicated that you were sharing a car with me."

"You could have asked." I pull another face and he squeezes my hand. "I'm not about to let you go that easily. I'm like glue."

"I can do glue," I say softly, squeezing his hand in return.