18. Lexi

"These cookies are so damn good." I nearly moan as the gooey chocolate chip cookie bends easily in my hand.

"There is something about Dizzy Duck's welcome cookies that is like a psychedelic experience," Harlow says with her mouth full.

We're sitting on a couch in the lobby of the Dizzy Duck. The finished lobby, if I may add. Harlow is someone I recently met. But she's around the inn a lot, as she and Stone stayed here for a bit while their home was getting renovated. They are a perfect couple, and it's nearly infectious to see.

I put my cookie back on the napkin then set it on the coffee table in front of us. "I really need to figure out what it is about the recipe," I mention.

"Nah, they're only excellent because someone else bakes them." Harlow nods then looks at me funny. "Uhm…" She's trying to keep a smile in. "I saw Holden the other day."

Ah, I think I know where this is going.

"And?"

Her smile breaks out. "He's close to Stone and me. I consider him a good friend, and maybe I shouldn't be talking to you about him. But my mouth won't stay shut because he seems different. I think it's great that he is opening up with someone. I've even heard his kids have calmed down a bit. Seems that you are a good influence on everyone."

I shrug my shoulders, brushing off her proclamation. "Nah, just a distraction for most. Something new."

She shakes her head. "Except, you know that you're no longer just a distraction to Holden."

A feeling of pure joy explodes inside me. "I'm not sure that I should be talking to you about this, but I believe so, and if I'm honest, he isn't to me either. I'm just not used to a connection with someone like this."

Harlow gives me a look of understanding. "But you like it?"

"Love it."

"Then maybe as time goes on the bond will only get stronger. You're up for that?"

"Is this an interrogation?" I volley but lightheartedly.

She laughs then scans the room before her gaze falls on me again. "Maybe or maybe not. I just love to see two people with a clear connection letting it grow. It doesn't seem to scare you that he is a bit older or has kids, right?"

I think about it for a second, because nobody has confronted me in this way, but I have no hesitation either. "No, it doesn't. Should it?"

"If it isn't an issue for you then not at all."

Reaching forward, I pick up the remainder of my cookie. "But you know we're kind of keeping everything on the downlow, right? I mean, I'm almost finished here at the Dizzy Duck, although it never really crossed my mind that he is kind of my boss." My head tips to the side, and I wince. "It's more we have a few factors, so we need to be sure before being more open."

Harlow sputters then throws a thumb over her shoulder to the empty reception desk. "Trust me, reception is well aware what shenanigans are happening between Holden and you. Staying ambiguous can only last for so long. Plus, what the hell? You're staying in his house?"

My finger whips up. "Only until the water is fixed at the guesthouse he rents out… which he might have turned off on purpose."

She roars with laughter. "Ha! No way is that ever happening. Besides, then you would just become his neighbor. Want my advice?" She slides a little closer to me, prepared to speak softer.

"I think you will give it to me anyhow."

"Just continue the living situation as it is, then when it's clear there is a serious next step in the relationship, you're already where you need to be. Besides, you've already tested the co-habiting with his family. Don't need to practice on that part."

My lips purse out, acknowledging that her plan is worth pondering. I just want to repeat the obvious. "First we just need to be… us."

Harlow begins to stand, while she throws the strap of her purse over her shoulder. "All positive thoughts. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a Zumba class to attend. Cookies and Zumba is just how I roll."

I raise myself up and off the couch too. "That sounds like a slogan for a t-shirt."

"Totally, right? See ya soon."

We both say goodbye as I walk to the reception desk, slightly unnerved when Stuart has a day off. It's just not the same. Jane puts in the effort, but she seems to fret about little things, as if she's scared that she will be fired any moment. Before I can be polite to say hello, a hand that I've become familiar with touches my elbow.

"I believe you need to update me on the last of the guest rooms and the timeline for completion." Holden sounds way too playful, even though his sentence is a fact.

Turning, I'm faced with his smoldering gaze. "Is that so?"

"Completely."

"You're going to have to wait. I want to make a few calls."

"I'll live."

I cross my arms over my chest while I give him a wry smile. "Oh gee, I was greatly concerned."

He steps closer and that thin layer of sensitivity creates a wall between us, and I believe he knows that. "Caring, as always."

"You should really be more professional here," I tease him.

But then our moment of flirtation is subdued, and we just stand in the presence of one another, still synced together and unable to part.

He drags a knuckle across his jawline. Holden always has a little bit of short stubble on his chin, and I love it. It only adds to the flaming look he has.

"Thanks for handling school lunches this morning. I'm kind of thinking they prefer yours over mine."

I lick my lips. "I do make a mean cashew butter and jelly sandwich."

He stifles a laugh. "Maybe tonight after they go to bed, we can open a bottle of wine?"

"I would like that."

We're frozen with one another, feet planted on the floor. "I heard we've both been cornered by our friends over our latest developments."

"Oh, we have." His body completely relaxes from the humor of all this.

"The moms at school have already been assuming for weeks, but if they ever receive a fact, then I'm positive they'll be grabbing the pitchforks. Don't really care. I still get to fuck you, not them."

Holden breaks out in laugh. "I… I love how you always present life in a positive way, minus pitchforks."

I feel like I'm melting. I don't need to kiss Holden or have sex. Just being in his presence weakens everything inside of me.

"I should probably get to those calls." I make it not even half a step before Holden touches my arm to ensure I can't pass. "Is there something else?"

His face changes to a shade of vulnerability. It only ups the ante of connection because it's a side I'm aware not many people see. "You're still satisfied with what's going on between us, right?"

I just want to throw my arms around him and kiss him. "Do I look like someone who isn't? I am completely happy and satisfied," I assure him.

Relief floods his face. He's just as scared as I am in this exhilarating rollercoaster that we're on. But his relief twists into something else. His eyes send a straight line over my shoulder, and he freezes.

"Why do you look like that?" Now fear hits me.

Holden clears his throat, almost nervous. "There is someone here for you."

"Like who?" I only turn halfway and a startled shriek bursts out of me. "Daddy?"

My father stands a few feet from me in a windbreaker and long khakis. It doesn't matter because his outfit most definitely doesn't match his cold glare directed at the man now behind me.

"Coach Moore," Holden greets my father.

"Holden," he replies, a little too firm for my liking. His eyes float between Holden and me.

Maybe Holden gets a hint or he just wants to escape, but he is quick to say, "I'll leave you two to catch up. Good to see you, Coach Moore. Feel free to grab lunch or drinks in the restaurant or patio, on the house. Maybe I will join you later to talk about old times."

"Good to see you too, I think."

My head spins between them until Holden smiles tightly and leaves us be.

I prepare myself for my father's unexpected arrival. I do my best to form an excited smile. "Daddy, this is a surprise." I walk to his open arms for a bear hug, because although we sometimes have odd moments, that soft spot as Daddy's Little Girl is always there.

"I wanted to surprise you while we have a little break on the team schedule, even if this town doesn't have the right team when it comes to hockey." Of course, the Spinners are his rivals. "And you've been too busy for time with your old man. Your mother sends her love, but she has her book club meeting that happens only once a month."

"I forget that she's still doing that. Ever since I was a little girl," I reflect. It takes me a moment for my bearings to return. "Come on, let's go grab a drink out by the lake. The weather is great."

"Sounds like a plan. You have to show me some of your work first."

I interlace our arms and begin the tour. In the end, I only explain the lobby and show him a few touches near the private party room. Mostly because it's still a little frenzied with a few contractors scattered around, and housekeeping is busy working their daily rounds. But in all honesty, I wanted to speed up to our conversation.

We grab two iced teas and a bowl of nuts from the bar and go outside to sit at a table on the patio.

"Everything looks great. I'm proud of you, Lexi."

My father's praise causes me to smile. "Thanks, Dad."

His gaze turns firm in my direction. "Must be fun staying here while you're busy with the project."

An ice cube falls out of my mouth. "Did I not mention… I'm staying with Holden. In the guest room since the guesthouse had a water issue, and there was a leak here, but they still need a few rooms open for guests…" I quickly sew together a sentence.

My father's eyes darken. "How convenient." Not one ounce of sincerity is in his tone. "It was only a few years ago that he was on my team, and I coached him. He had a lot of drama in his life. Kids, divorce, a lot of attention from women and the press."

A need to defend Holden hits me in a boom. "Well, his kids are great, maybe misunderstood, but they are kids with a warm heart. Plus, Holden's not in the media anymore, and I'm sure Holden from years ago is not the same man as now."

He rests his arms on the table. "Except now he's sleeping with my daughter."

My face drops. "Daddy!"

My father shakes his head and grabs a handful of nuts from the bowl. I feel as though I'm about to be lectured as if I'm no longer an adult.

"It was obvious the moment I walked through the door that something is going on."

"I-I…" I don't lie to my father unless I'm sixteen and sneaking out to a party. "What if I am? I'm an adult."

Leaning back, his cold look gives me no clue of what he must be considering. "You're right. Doesn't mean I can't voice my opinion. You're younger than him, he has kids, and his life is quite different to yours. You travel and look for adventure."

Anger is flaming inside of me. "What if being with Holden is an adventure?"

A near sinister laugh hits my ears. "What if you're infatuated?" He takes a moment to admire the lake view and maybe calm a smidgen. "I'm just watching out for you."

I twist my hair and plump it on the top of my head to tie into a bun. "I get that. But, please, just let me figure out my life on my own."

"He doesn't even have the decency to speak with me about this."

Throwing my hands up in the air, I'm exhausted. "We're new. Going slow. We're being sensitive to his family situation," I explain. Watching them is more a picture of a family than I had growing up.

My father's eyes grow big. "Moving into his house? That's not going slow."

"Not that it's your business, but we weren't this way when I moved in. He needed a little help with his son and daughter since the nanny quit."

He scoffs a sound of further disappointment. "You're a nanny now?"

The humor in how this must all sound brings a smile to my face. "No. I'm not the nanny," I grumble. "Now, can you be the dad that I've always remembered who would let me be and discover the world for myself?"

"Daddy bear has to come out when you're dating an older man who I happen to know quite well." He is half serious, which makes it all the more endearing.

Throwing him a pout, the kind that causes him to remember the days when I would skip around with piggy tails, his entire body falters.

A sound of hopelessness fills the air. "Fine, Lexi, I'm not one to tell you what to do with your love life. I can only warn you and hope you don't get hurt."

"Thank you." I pick up the bowl of nuts and offer it to him. They're his favorite, slightly salted with a few sugary coated peanuts thrown in.

"Any other shockers I need to prepare myself for?" he queries.

I shake my head. "Not that I can think of."

"Great. Will you do me a favor then?"

"Of course."

My father rubs his face. "Text your mom about this. Because if I have to tell her, then I'll have to listen to her shriek for half an hour straight."

Warmly, I smile. "No problem."

The next half-hour, we talk about the team, a vacation he is planning with my mom, and possibly redoing their BBQ area in their backyard. My father has an uncanny knack to continue conversation, even if a thousand thoughts are running in his head.

By the time we are hugging goodbye and walking through the lobby, I take notice of the clock on the wall. It's nearly the end of the school day, which for some reason now makes me wonder how Lori and Harry's day went or what homework they have.

It's also the time when Holden walks through the lobby because he needs to go pick up the kids, as he is doing exactly now. The faceoff between my father and Holden is instant.

"I'm expecting you to contact me for a talk. My daughter isn't hockey." My father's voice has a lot of bite to it, and it causes my body to jolt and my brow to raise. I'm not sure if I should chortle or be scared. He storms off before I can solve it, or before Holden can reply.

Holden strides my way, his face pained. "Figured it out, huh?"

"Oh yeah. Call it my father's instant assessment of situations."

He rakes his hand through his hair. "Well, almost feels like we should just throw up a billboard at this point."

I step forward and touch his chest with no care in the world about our surroundings. "It's okay. We will take a little more time for Lori and Harry."

A bitter laugh hits him. "If they don't hear it from somewhere else or figure it out for themselves."

I lift my shoulders. "I don't know what to say. It's your train to drive."

He leans in to kiss my forehead. It's chaste, but to the world, obvious enough that I'm his woman and he's my man.

"Need to get the kids. We'll talk later."

I reluctantly remove my hand and nod in understanding, watching him walk away and wondering what is the next step in relation to our families and should I be scared?