Chapter 28

Hollis had spent the last few days tying up any loose ends at work and pushing anything that wasn't urgent into the new year, because at this time of year, most people didn't want to be thinking about paint or fabric choices. They wanted to spend time with their families, so she'd had more free time than she was used to. Kate was insanely busy between work and college, and Hollis kept herself busy since Dave left two days ago, having Jen over for dinner last night and spending today cleaning the house.

She'd put on a movie after she'd gotten changed into her pajamas, patiently waiting for eleven o'clock to arrive, when Kate said she'd be here after she finished work, but she couldn't concentrate on it fully. Her mind kept wandering. And as her favorite Christmas song played in the movie, she realized that Kate might think it was strange that she hadn't a single decoration up.

With each year, she'd put in less effort without even realizing it, until last year just a modest tree went up and only for two weeks.

Hollis heard a car pull up just a few minutes before midnight, and she padded to the door, pulling it open. "Hey," she said with a smile as Kate came to the door with a weekend bag in hand.

"Hi," Kate said, her hair pulled back in a ponytail today, dressed in what Hollis guessed was her usual work attire, black pants and a black racerback tank top. "Sorry, I got hung up."

"Don't worry about it." Hollis took her bag from her as Kate came inside.

"Wow," Kate said with a lopsided-smile as she looked at her.

"What?" Hollis glancing down at her red plain pajamas bottoms and the black tank top she had on.

"I've never actually seen you in pajamas before." She was grinning now. "I love it."

Hollis shook her head as she smiled, reaching for Kate's hand as she closed the door, pushing her back against it as she ran her hands along Kate's sides, leaning in to kiss her passionately.

They hadn't seen each other in five days, but after spending so much time together in the previous month, it seemed like so much longer.

Kate sighed as Hollis's tongue swept into her mouth, Kate's hands on Hollis's waist, their bodies pressed together, and Hollis couldn't wait until this was her life, when Kate would come home to her. She'd lost track of how many times she'd told herself it was too much, too soon, when it came to how she felt about Kate, and Hollis was starting to let those thoughts float by. She couldn't help how she felt, and thankfully, Kate was right there with her.

"I'm so glad you're here," Hollis murmured as she pulled away, her eyes searching Kate's.

"Me too." Kate looked at Hollis as if she was the only woman in the world, and it still made Hollis a little breathless.

"You must be exhausted," Hollis said, reaching for Kate's hand as she took a step back.

Kate's lips curved into a smile. "Yeah. I am."

Hollis's hand slid out of Kate's as she bent to grab Kate's bag. "Come on. Let's go upstairs." She let Kate go ahead of her.

"Do you really have to give up this house?" Kate asked, sliding her hand along the polished wooden bannister. "It's beautiful."

"Hm. But I designed it," she said as she climbed the stairs. "It looked completely different when we bought it. I can do it again. On a smaller scale this time though." They reached the top of the stairs. "The master is at the end of the hall."

Kate pushed the door open, hesitating once she was inside, as if she was afraid to go any further.

Hollis left Kate's bag on the bed. "This has been my room for months. Just me."

With a small nod, Kate reached up and tugged on the elastic band that held her hair in place. She tousled her hair, letting it fall along her usual part line as she turned to Hollis. Kate's gorgeous features were marked with exhaustion, and Hollis found herself closing the distance between them to wrap her arms around her.

"We're nearly there," Hollis whispered, hoping that she was right, because she couldn't shake the feeling that the weight of this situation would start to put cracks in their relationship if it wasn't resolved soon.