�What are you doing tonight?�
Holly cursed under her breath. She had nearly made it out the door without a comment from Lynn. She turned to look at her boss.
�Nothing that would be of any interest to you,� she said, searching through her purse for her keys.
�I don�t know about that,� Lynn smirked. �And they�re in your jeans pocket.�
�Huh?� Lynn asked, patting her leg. She rolled her eyes at her own absentmindedness. Grinning sheepishly, she pulled her keys out of her pocket and jingled them. �Trust me, nothing to be interested in. Just another boring night for me.�
�I thought you were going out with Mr. Hottie. What�s his name again? Chance?�
�Lance,� Holly corrected before she could catch herself.
�Ah, Lance,� Lynn grinned evilly, leaning onto her desk. �He�s such a tasty morsel. Where are you two going? Maybe I want to go out, too.�
�Lynn,� Holly said, her hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes. �You�ve got three kids and it�s hard as hell for you to find a babysitter for those three terrors. I really doubt we�ll be going anywhere except out to dinner and then back home.�
Lynn raised an eyebrow at her.
�You know what I meant,� Holly snipped, growing tired of this little game Lynn was playing with her. �I�d love to stay and yuk it up with you, but I really need to get home. Harold didn�t seem to be feeling too well this morning. I�ve been worried about him all day.�
�Holly, please tell me you�re not going to spoil a wonderful evening because of that mange-ball you call a cat.�
�Harold is not a mange-ball,� she responded, growing defensive. �Don�t you have some kind of boring crap to do?�
�You�re right,� Lynn agreed dejectedly. �I do have some boring crap to do. And I probably couldn�t find a babysitter on such short notice. Too bad, too. We could have had a blast.�
�Have a good weekend, Lynn,� Holly called behind her as she walked out of the center.
Shading her eyes from the bright June afternoon sun, she made her way across the parking lot, praying there wasn�t a glare on someone�s windshield to where they couldn�t see her and might just run her over. This was not the day to be run over. Sending up a quick and silent thank you, she unlocked her truck and cranked it, standing outside for a few minutes with the air going full blast before climbing in and making her way home.
~*~
Holly stood under the shower, letting the hot water massage her neck and shoulders. This had been one of the worst weeks she had ever known. And the only thing that had kept her going was the promise of the night out with Lance. She grinned, thinking back to the other night when he had run her a bubble bath. She also felt her face flush with the embarrassment of her extremely personal ramblings she had subjected him to. Since he hadn�t called to cancel, but to check on her quite a few times since then, she figured he was either used to women just spilling things such as that to him or he chose to ignore her.
�Oh, please let it be the latter,� she said, grabbing her shampoo and lathering it into her long hair.
After staying in the shower for as long as possible, to the point of letting the water run cold on her, she turned it off and felt outside the curtain for her towel. She yelped in surprise to feel fur instead. Peeking from behind the curtain, she laughed at Harold sitting on the sink, amidst her array of girly date necessities. He meowed at her, indignant that she would actually find him amusing.
�I hope you didn�t mind I used you for a fib, Harry,� she told him, picking her towel up from the floor. �I hate to say it, but I wouldn�t put it past Lynn to show up wherever we are tonight, you know? I know she�s beautiful with all that long blonde hair and big blue eyes, and probably has a better chance with him in the long run than I do, but I�d like to try it just once to see. Does that make any sense?�
Harold purred in response, jumping down with the noise she liked to hear him make-a cross between a loud purr and meow. He danced figure eights through her ankles as she put on her make-up and dried her hair. Standing in front of the mirror, Holly turned one way, then the other, examining her reflection in the mirror.
I don�t think I�m that bad looking. Maybe if I lost a couple of pounds.
Harold mewed up at her, as if reading her thoughts.
�You�re right, Harry. What am I thinking? I�m fine just the way I am. No need to change for anyone. If someone can�t accept me for me, then to hell with them. Isn�t that right, boy?�
Harold jumped back on the counter and reached out a paw to her. She smiled and leaned down, rubbing her head with his. He purred loudly again before pulling away.
�If all else fails, I�ve always got you, right, bud?� She asked, scratching his ears, much to his delight. She turned sharply towards the door, hearing the grandfather clock chime in another part of the house. �Oh, shoot. I�ve got to get on the ball if I want to be ready. Go play with the mouse.�
Harold meowed one more time as he left his person in the bathroom alone. Holly shook her head.
�I�m liable to be committed if I keep talking to a cat for advice,� she laughed at herself, taking a look in the mirror, playing with her hair, trying to decide what to do with it.
~*~
By the time Lance knocked on her door, Holly had changed outfits and hair styles at least three times. She growled as he rang the doorbell, making sure she knew he was there. Tossing the last choice outfit on her bed, she looked in the full length mirror one last time, resigning herself to what she was wearing. Her heels made clicking sounds as she made her way down the hall and to her front door. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and swung it open.
Lance slowly looked Holly over in her black skirt that skimmed the top of her knees and v-neck red top. She was all woman and these clothes showed it. His eyes traveled down her curvaceous legs clad in sheer tan pantyhose. And her black heels with the muted buckles on the side set it off perfectly. But as his gaze wandered back up her body, he stopped on her face. She wore more make-up than he was used to seeing on her, but instantly decided it was still tastefully done.
�Oh, Holly,� was all he could say.
She grinned self-consciously at him, stepping back to admit him entrance.
�You look incredible,� he told her. �I�m going to be the envy of every man there tonight. Why do you hide that body under those shapeless clothes you wear?�
�Teachers aren�t supposed to have bodies,� she giggled, flattered by his obvious stare.
�I guess. Good thing I�m planning on being a bad boy tonight,� he told her, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
�Lance!� Holly admonished, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks. She shook her head at him. �I see you�re back to your old ways, huh?�
�How can I not be with you around?� He grinned mischievously.
�Are you planning on holding those flowers all night or do I need to put them in water?�
�Huh? Oh, yeah. See what you do to me,� he said, shaking his head to break out of his reverie. He handed the bouquet of roses to her.
Holly laughed softly, taking the flowers from him and walked into the kitchen. She took her great-grandmother�s vase from the china cabinet and went to the kitchen to fill it with water. She jumped and almost dropped it when Lance�s hands suddenly appeared on her waist.
�How about we just say screw the night out and we have our own party here at home?� He said low in her ear.
Holly shivered from the nearness of him, but fought it off.
�No way, buster. I�ve earned a night out. But you need to be careful; this vase belonged to my great-granny. I�d hate to break it.�
�Me, too,� he said, still close behind her, his hands still on her hip. �And I know you have earned a night out. But is there anything I could promise you to keep you in tonight just to myself? A trip to Paris? A new Mercedes? A go on the sex-swing in my bedroom?�
�Lance!� Holly laughed, turning around to face him. �As enticing as all that sounds, I�d just take a simple night out.�
�Fine,� he said as she walked away, placing the vase and flowers in the middle of the dining room table. �But that�s your loss. The swing�s just been oiled and everything.�
~*~
After their dinner at one of the finer local restaurants, Lance drove his SUV down a few streets and parked in front of a night club.
�Chestnut Station?� Holly asked, reading the sign.
�Yeah. I checked it out. It�s not one of the best places I�ve seen, but it�s better than the rest of them around town.�
�I know that, but��
�But what? Do you not want to go here?� He asked, suddenly worrying he had made a mistake.
�Oh, no. I�ve always wanted to go here. I always thought it would be fun to go out and dancing.�
�You�ve never done that have you?� Lance asked, reaching a hand out and gently touching her cheek.
�No,� she admitted. �Shoot, I would have settled for a night at the Fuzzy Duck.�
Lance laughed loudly at her. �Fuzzy Duck? You�re making that up.�
�No, I am not. There used to be a red-neck bar here in town called the Fuzzy Duck. Really popular place. Had quite a few country stars play there. �Course, I was always too young to see them.�
�Aw, I�m sorry,� he soothed. �This place might not have any country singers, but I�ll make sure you have a great time anyway. I promise.�
�All right,� Holly agreed, winking at him.
Lance shut the motor off and got out, walking around to open the door for her. Taking her hand in his, he helped her out of the SUV and held her hand as they made their way to the door. The inside was dark and loud music blared out of the speakers on the stage. One of the local wannabe bands was playing there. They were shown to a booth, where Lance again had to hold Holly�s hand as she climbed up in the seat.
�I guess it�s to keep drunks in their seat,� Lance observed as he hopped into the seat across the table from her. �If they get down, they�re likely to break their neck. What do you want to drink?�
�Wonderful segue way,� Holly laughed, shaking her head. �Just get me something good, but not too strong.�
�That tells me a lot,� he said, sticking his tongue out at her, eliciting another giggle from her, then ordering their drinks.
They sat in the booth, watching people dance and listening to the band. Lance reached across the table and took her hands in his. She looked at him, surprised by this sudden display.
�I�m glad you went out with me,� he said, leaning across the table, not wanting to shout and have everyone hear their conversation.
�I�m glad you asked me out,� she told him honestly.
�You knew I was.�
�No, I didn�t.�
�Really?� He asked, surprised.
�Really,� she answered, nodding her head. �I�ve had a great time, Lance.�
�Night�s not over, Holly,� he told her, stroking the back of her hand gently with his thumb. He noticed her glass was nearly empty. �I�ll be back in a second with a refill. I�m going to see if the band takes requests.�
�What are you going to request?�
�One of our songs. See if they do covers of annoying songs,� he winked at her.
�Are you really?�
�No. But had you going, though, didn�t I?� He grinned, sliding out of the booth.
Holly watched as he walked across the floor, admiring the way he looked in his black pants and white shirt. She also noticed a lot of other female eyes were admiring him, too. She allowed herself a moment of smugness, knowing he was there with her. She settled back into her seat as Lance made his way back to the table.
�Got my request in,� he told her, getting back in the booth. �And when they play it, you and I are going to dance. Hell, you and I are going to dance even when they�re not playing it.�
�I�ve always wanted to do that,� she told him again, smiling. �I�ve never been dancing before.�
�That�s because I was too embarrassed to be seen with you. And I can�t believe how badly you�ve let yourself go, Holly.�
She shuddered, hearing that nasally voice that she grew to detest so much. Holly looked across the table to see Lance narrow his eyes at the person standing behind her. He still wore the cologne she hated. Turning around in her seat, she looked into the handsome, sneering face of her ex-fianc�.
�Hello. I�m Jeff West,� he said, extending a hand to Lance.
Chapter 10
�Yeah. So.� Lance said with as much disinterest as he could muster, ignoring the outstretched hand.
So,� Jeff said, withdrawing his hand. �I happened to see Holly and thought I�d come by to say hello. I hate that we parted on such bad terms, Holls.�
�I don�t really care what you think or hate,� Holly nearly spat.
�No need to be so snippy,� Jeff said, irritatingly calm. �That was a long time ago.�
�Still too recent for my liking,� she muttered, turning her back on him.
�Aah, a bit sassy,� Jeff remarked, not allowing her to brush him off so easily. �Never an attractive look for you, Holls. And neither is red. Honestly, Hon, you�d think you�d try to look halfway decent when you go out.�
Lance looked up sharply at Jeff.
�You really don�t have to stay,� he told him tersely. �In fact, it would be advisable for you to leave.�
�Who are you?�
�It doesn�t matter who I am. What does matter is the fact you�re bothering us.�
Jeff started to respond, only to be interrupted by a waitress telling him his table was ready.
�What a jerk,� Lance said loud enough for Jeff to hear. �You were right to drop him like you did.�
Jeff turned quickly to look back, seeing Lance engrossed in conversation with Holly again. He scowled at them, wrapping his arm around the blonde tart he was with.
�Lance, you don�t need to start anything with him,� Holly said, leaning forward, covering his hand with hers.
�I didn�t start anything,� he told her. �He was the one who came over to you and started talking trash.�
�It didn�t bother me, Lance,� she told him.
�I know it did,� he said, flipping his hand over and holding on to hers. �You can�t tell me it didn�t. I saw the look on your face.�
�It�s in the past, Lance.�
�Right where it should be, Holly. But as long as he�s talking to you and saying anything to you, it�s right here, right now. And I�m not going to stand by and let him hurt you again.�
�You didn�t let it happen the first time,� she said softly. �I did.�
�If I had known you then, we wouldn�t be having this conversation. I wish I did know you back then.�
Holly didn�t know what to say. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She looked down, ashamed of herself. Lance placed a finger under her chin, tilting her face up to him.
�Hey, look at me,� he said softly. �There is no need to be embarrassed or whatever you�re feeing. He�s a jackass, plain and simple. You�re beautiful and you�re with me. That�s all that matters.�
Holly couldn�t help but return his smile. The absurdity of the moment dawned on her and she giggled.
�That�s what I like to see,� Lance told her. �What�s so funny?�
�Just the fact that I�m sitting in a bar with you.�
�What�s so funny about that?�
Holly couldn�t find the words to explain it and just shook her head.
�Doesn�t matter.�
�Okay,� he answered, confused. His smile grew even wider as the band began to play. �Our song.�
�I didn�t know we had a song.�
�We do now. Let�s dance.�
Lance took her hand, helping her out of the booth and led her onto the dance floor. He spun her around before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She smiled and began to sway with the music as he led their movements. She liked the feel of his arms around her and the way his body pressed close to hers. She heard him inhale deeply.
�What?� She asked, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.
�I love the way your hair smells,� he told her, his voice low and rumbling in her ear.
�Yeah?
�Yeah. And I haven�t told you this yet, but I love the way you look right now.�
�Howzat?�
�With your hair loose and flowing around you. That�s how you looked the first time I ever saw you,� his voice had become soft and distant.
�What?� Holly laughed softly.
�Nothing,� he told her, pulling her closer to him. �I�m just thinking out loud.�
�Okay.�
�You are beautiful.�
�Lance,� Holly blushed at his words.
�But you are, baby.�
Lance�s next comment was interrupted when someone bumped into Holly from behind.
�Hey!� She exclaimed, turning to see who had run into her.
She was met with the coldly smiling face of the woman Jeff had been with earlier.
�Oh, I am so sorry,� she said, her voice dripping with fake sincerity. �I don�t know how I missed you there.�
Lance felt Holly bristle at the bleach blonde�s words. He could swear she actually growled at the other woman.
�Must�ve been from the vapidity in your head,� Holly shot back, turning away from her.
The woman stood motionless, an expression of confusion on her perfectly made-up face. Lance knew he shouldn�t laugh, but couldn�t help it.
�That�s my girl,� he told her, taking her hand and leading her off the dance floor and back to their booth.
They had just sat down when the blonde and Jeff were at their table again. Jeff leaned in close to Holly, sneering in her face.
�Listen, you little bitch. I know who you�re with. That doesn�t give you any right to go after Chasity like that.�
�Excuse me,� Lance interrupted, pulling Jeff away from Holly.
�This doesn�t concern you, buster,� Jeff told Lance.
�I believe it does. That�s my date you�re harassing and when you bother her, you bother me. So, get the hell out of here before you regret it.�
Jeff straightened up and glared down at Lance.
�What? You think you�re so big and bad, don�t you? I don�t think you�re going to do anything. Just a bunch of talk. Holly,� he said, turning his attention back to her. �You really have no right to just start insulting Chasity like you did. You had your chance with me, but you blew it. Don�t let your jealousy get the better of you. Just admit you lost and let it go at that.�
Lance stood up and put a hand on Jeff�s shoulder, turning him back around to face him.
�I don�t know what you think you�ve got that Holly would be jealous of,� Lance told Jeff, looking him over disdainfully. �And from what I understand, you don�t have anything for anyone to be wanting.�
Holly bit back a smile as Jeff grew flustered, then narrowed his eyes. He took a step towards Lance, his face red from the sharp words Lance had flung at him. Lance stood his ground. Over Jeff�s shoulder, he caught sight of the bouncer at the door. The burly man seemed to know something was going on their way.
�I am not going to kick your ass in here and get thrown out,� Lance calmly informed Jeff, nodding at the bouncer.
�Then let�s take it outside, pretty boy,� Jeff smirked.
Holly grabbed her purse as she ran after the two men, Chasity on her heels.
�Lance, are you insane?� Holly called after him as the warm air of the summer night enveloped them.
�Stay out of this, Holly,� Lance called back to her.
�Lance, don�t. He�s not worth it. You said so yourself.�
�Listen to her, Lance,� Jeff mocked the way Holly said his name. �She might have a point. As much as I�d love to know I�m the one who messed up your million-dollar face, jail might not be worth it.�
�Who said anything about jail?� Lance asked, staying a safe distance away, eyeing him carefully. �I just wanted you to leave Holly alone. You�ve made her life miserable long enough.�
�What the hell are you talking about?� Jeff asked, looking back at Holly. �She�s the one who brought it on herself. Not my fault any of that happened.�
�I think you know it is,� Lance told him. �You know, it�s guys like you who give men a bad name.�
�No, it�s guys like me who give men the right name.�
�That didn�t make one damn bit of sense,� Lance informed him. �You know what? You�re really not worth it. We�re leaving?�
He turned to walk off, but was stopped by Jeff calling after him.
�I knew it. You�re just a pussy. You ain�t got no balls about you. You�ve let everyone else fight for you and when the time comes to put up or shut up, you just show what a��
Lance�s fist connected with Jeff�s jaw with a hard cracking sound.
�Son of a bitch,� Lance muttered, clutching his hand to his body.
Jeff immediately became close friends with the concrete sidewalk beneath him. Chasity ran to Jeff, lightly slapping his face, trying to wake him up. Holly stood in the same spot outside the door, her face frozen in an expression of disbelief.
�Oh, my God! Lance! What have you done?� Holly exclaimed, unable to get over what she had just witnessed.
�Cracked my hand, I think,� he said, gently cradling his right hand. �Let�s go. You�re going to have to drive, though.�
�Are you all right?� She asked, knowing it was like asking someone pulled off on the side of the road with their car jacked up if they had a flat.
�I will be. Damn, this hurts like a mother fucker,� he told her as they got in his SUV. He grinned up at her. �Guess all those years of fighting with the other guys finally paid off, huh?�
Holly shook her head, making sure there was no traffic coming, especially any police cars.
�You never fail to surprise me,� she told him. �Never.�