A Holiday Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page A

that way. “You know this is all pretend. We’re friends—that’s it.”
    He caught her hand. “I think we’ve moved beyond that. I really care for you, Holly. I know you want to focus on your job, and I’m fine with that. But I’d like to see where this is going between us.”
    “I can’t.” He was ruining everything. The whole point was to pretend to be a couple, not actually become one. She pulled away. “I like you, Todd, but—”
    He touched a finger to her lips, stopping her words. “Just think about us.”
    She nodded, too emotionally spent to argue. “Fine. Thanks for coming. I’ll see you at work.” She turned and ran back inside, barely able to keep tears from streaming down her face. She rushed through the family room, where the men were watching football, and past the women visiting at the cleared-off dining table. How had everything become so complicated?
    Holly fled into the kitchen, where she could be alone, and pulled on a pair of yellow rubber gloves. She rinsed the dishes and stacked them on the counter. Cleaning always helped her feel better.
    “Hey,” a soft voice said, too close for comfort.
    She jumped and tensed. “Hi.” How had Matthew come in without her noticing?
    “Want some help?” He opened the dishwasher and began loading plates. “Are you okay? I noticed you were upset when you came inside.”
    Holly caught the concern in his eyes and released a shuddering breath, unable to hold in the tears a second longer. “Why are you so nice to me when I was mean to you in high school?”
    He shrugged. “Just a nice guy, I guess.”
    She pulled off the gloves and wiped at her tears. Shame at her treatment of him hovered close, making her feel even worse. “You shouldn’t be. I don’t deserve it. I’m not worth it.”
    “Who told you that?”
    “Isn’t it obvious? I hurt people. It’s what I do. Not intentionally, of course.” She slipped the gloves back on. “Look at my mom, for example. She’s disappointed in me. No matter what I do it’s never enough. Plus, I’m... It doesn’t matter.” She met his gaze, embarrassed by her outburst, and the compassion she saw there about did her in.
    “Is there something else? I’m a good listener.”
    Yes. But she couldn’t tell him about Todd. Matthew would never understand that fiasco. She didn’t understand what she’d done to cause Todd’s forward behavior. Then there was her mother. Holly sighed. “Let’s just say, in my mom’s opinion I don’t measure up to Jessica.”
    A knowing look filled his eyes.
    Maybe Matthew did understand. Her heart warmed toward him. It felt good to have someone on her side.
    “It’s clear to me your mom loves you both very much. I noticed you looked conflicted by Jessica’s announcement. Does your sister having a baby upset you? When Ava was born I was thrilled.”
    She scrubbed a dirty pan. “I’m not upset about being an aunt. I’m happy for Jessica. I love my sister, but I just can’t compete with her for my mom’s approval.” She kept her voice low, aware her mother was in the next room.
    “I’ve known your mom less than a day, but to me she seemed proud of both of you. You are probably just misunderstanding her. I’m sure she loves you both equally.”
    Though spoken gently, Matthew’s words speared her to the core. What did he know? She yanked off the gloves. “Please tell everyone something came up and I had to leave.” She grabbed her purse from the counter.
    “Hey, I’m sorry, Holly. I should’ve kept my big mouth shut. Please don’t leave because of me.”
    She blinked back tears. What was with the waterworks today? She wasn’t a crier. “Don’t beat yourself up, Matthew. It’s just been one of those weeks for me. Take care of yourself. Tell my family I left, okay?” She hurried out the back door without waiting for a reply. So much for being on her side. Then again, maybe he didn’t mean it the way it sounded. She sniffled and dried her eyes. She’d